Don’t have a pantry and haven’t got a clue how to organize your kitchen? You’re on the right page! Scroll to read how to organize a small kitchen without a pantry (tried and tested by yours truly!)
Since I started sharing snippets of my home on social media, one of the questions I get asked most frequently is “Where’s your pantry?”
Well, I don’t have one!
When we renovated our home five years ago, we didn’t have a budget for a pantry.
Plus, we were very busy with our jobs and barely had the time nor the energy to whip up meals in the kitchen! As a result, we didn’t see the need for a pantry at that time.
However, a lot has changed since then. The kitchen is one of our most-used spaces since the pandemic.
At first, it was challenging to think of ways to organize our kitchen since we don’t have a pantry.
To top it off, we don’t have much counter space and we have a limited number of drawers and cabinets.
It took us some trial and error, but we finally figured out a few tips and tricks to organize our kitchen without a pantry.
Disclaimer: Our organization methods may not work for you if you own a ton of things in the kitchen! My husband and I don’t like clutter, so we only kept the minimal kitchen essentials.
If you’re like us, here’s how you can organize a small kitchen without a pantry:
- Use a kitchen cart
- Install wall shelving
- Build a spice wall
- Take advantage of vertical storage
- Organize kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Repurpose a bookcase
- Try a sideboard/hutch/credenza
- Utilize fridge space
- Maximize storage on your kitchen island
Related: How To Organize Your Under Kitchen Sink Storage Like A Pro
8 Ways To Organize Your Small Kitchen Without A Pantry
1. Use a kitchen cart
If you have a small kitchen, you NEED to invest in a kitchen cart.
Kitchen/pantry/utility/bar carts are perfect to store frequently used ingredients like spices and canned goods.
But, don’t be fooled by their compact sizes! They are usually spacious enough to store a whole bunch of things without taking up much space.
The best part? They are mobile! They can be wheeled around everywhere, which makes them so convenient in the kitchen.
Not only are kitchen carts inexpensive, but they come in a wide variety of designs and materials. Our is a stainless steel version from Ikea, which we fill with spices and dry goods we use daily.
I prefer displaying all my spices because I know I won’t use them if I don’t see them!
2. Install wall shelving
Want to organize a kitchen but don’t have a pantry? Wall shelving is the answer to your problem!
Not only is wall shelving practical, but it looks stunning in a kitchen. Plus, wall shelving is affordable and super easy to install!
With a small kitchen, too many built-in cabinets can make the room look and feel even smaller. That’s why we opted for exposed wall shelving instead.
Some people think open shelving can appear more cluttered, but the trick is to display beautiful things on them and save the cabinet space for less attractive items like half-open boxes of cereal.
Otherwise, you can always conceal your everyday pantry items in baskets, which will help to maximize space and make it look pretty.
3. Build a spice wall
If your kitchen is too small to accommodate a rolling cart, consider building a spice wall instead.
The great thing about a spice wall is that you don’t need a lot of space. You can fit a few shelves in a little alcove or nook in the kitchen.
Plus, there are so many options available in the market. You can choose from stainless steel, wood, and even acrylic shelves (my favorite!) You can even find magnetic shelves to stick on your fridge!
Here’s a tip: allocate a taller height between shelves so you can fit oil/sauce dispensers on the rack too!
4. Take advantage of vertical storage
The one spot people often neglect is unused wall space. When organizing in a small kitchen with no pantry, it’s crucial to take advantage of vertical storage!
Here are some great wall storage ideas:
- Hang magnetic strips for knives
- Hang a metal rod or a wire rack that can hold baskets of fruit, utensils, tea towels, pots, pans, etc.
- Use a pegboard to store utensils, pots, spices, etc.
Organize kitchen cabinets and drawers
The key to organizing a kitchen without a pantry is to make sure your existing kitchen cabinets and drawers stay organized.
Drawers and cabinets offer plenty of storage space but they can be very cluttered if not organized well. As a result, they may not be utilized effectively.
Use bins, baskets, or drawer dividers to group and organize similar items.
Other space-saving fittings for cabinets and drawers are:
- Interior drawers or pull-outs
- Raised cabinet racks/stands
- Mug hooks
- Lazy Susans/turntables
Besides these tips, here are some other ways you can organize a small kitchen without a pantry.
Repurpose a bookcase
Got extra space in your kitchen? Create your pantry by repurposing a bookcase!
Ikea’s Billy bookcase is a great alternative to a pantry. You can customize the color of the bookcase and the type of doors to make it uniquely yours.
The best thing about a bookcase is the ample storage it provides. You can store anything from dinnerware to pantry staples in clear bins. In addition, you can also store baskets and other decorative items like plants and candles.
Use a sideboard/hutch/credenza
Sometimes we have to think outside the box. In this case, try thinking outside the kitchen!
If you have extra space in your living or dining room, try using a sideboard, a hutch, or a credenza to store your kitchen essentials.
Although they are typically used for dinnerware and table linens, you can use them to keep anything you want because of the hidden storage.
Utilize fridge space
Don’t have a pantry? No worries!
Did you know you can utilize both your fridge’s interior and exterior space?
You can fully utilize your fridge’s interior space if you organize it well.
As for the exterior, many magnetic organizers can hold a kitchen towel roll, oven mitts, cling wrap, and aluminum foil dispensers.
You can also store baskets on top of your fridge!
Maximize storage on your kitchen island
This is a great tip for new homeowners who are starting their renovation plans.
If you have no space for a pantry, consider building a bigger island with storage! You can use the island to store tableware, cookware, and other kitchen appliances too.
These tips have taught us that we don’t need a pantry to organize a small kitchen. I think we’ve done well considering we don’t have a pantry. The kitchen always looks organized and clutter-free, which I LOVE.
I hope these tips will help to organize a small kitchen without a pantry. Let me know if you have other no-pantry storage solutions to share!
