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If your kitchen pantry always feels jam-packed and difficult to navigate, you're probably overdue for a cupboard cleanout. Once you've gotten rid of expired canned goods and less-than-prime spices, you'll want to think about how to keep your newly edited storage space nice and tidy. With such a variety of bags, bottles, cartons, and cans, it can be a lot to manage without help from some key organizational pieces.
To help you find the pantry organization shelves and bins for your home, them side by side and evaluated each on its design, capacity, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Lots of produce, snacks, soda, spices, and more were stored on counters and in pantries, fridges, cupboards, and drawers in order to make sure the bins and shelves were truly the best.
If you're ready to tackle a kitchen organization project, you're in luck: We've rounded up the best tools for kitchen and pantry organization below, according to our tests.
Airtight containers Clear container for easy viewing Variety of sizes and orientations Wide enough to use with a scoop
Latches sometimes take elbow grease to open
This affordable set from Rubbermaid is perfect for anyone who wants a uniform look. Made from durable BPA-free Tritan plastic, these transparent containers are fantastic for storing dry beans, pasta, rice, and cereal but can also be used to house leftovers in the fridge.1
Sets are available with containers of different sizes, from mini sizes to a large 19.9-cup option, so you can find a vessel to store virtually any amount. During testing, we fit an entire 5-pound bag of all-purpose flour in the 16-cup container and a bulk-sized bag of quinoa in the 12-cup container with room to spare. We also stored cereal and nuts and noticed that they tasted fresher. The rectangular shape makes it easy to reach in and measure ingredients right out of the containers, and they're easy to stack and move around because they're not too heavy or bulky to pick up. We liked that they were clear, which makes it very easy to see the contents.
The lids latch on and have a silicone seal, which makes the containers leakproof and airtight. They also stack perfectly on top of each other, so you can take advantage of all the vertical space available in your pantry. They are freezer- and dishwasher-safe (top rack only) and can be used again and again to protect your dry goods against humidity and moisture and keep them fresh for longer. One thing to note, however, is that the latches can sometimes take a little work to get open.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: 0.5, 1.3, 3.2, 6.6, 7.8, 8.1, 12, 16, 19.9 cups | Dimensions:Vary |Weight:N/A
Built-in handles Large capacity Can handle heavy loads Can be used as all-purpose storage
Too long for typical upper cabinets
If you prefer a clear plastic bin for your pantry organization project, this versatile organizer fromis an excellent choice. Generously sized at 14.5 by 8 inches, it can be used to hold fresh produce, packages of dry beans, juice boxes, and other pantry items in a base cabinet or deep-shelved pantry. It is also great to use in the fridge or freezer to create an additional drawer for containing loose fruit or corralling containers of yogurt and pudding.
The bin is made from durable clear plastic, allowing you to see what's inside, and can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Testing found that it used pantry space the most efficiently when filled with bagged or loose items. We could fill it with bags of flour, sugar, chocolate chips, raisins, and other baking supplies and then set the whole bin on the counter when baking cookies. Because it is meant to be all-purpose, you can use it anywhere in your home that needs organizing—not just the kitchen—and the built-in handles make it easy to move them around.
The rigid plastic handled a heavy load of cans, and the tall sides kept all sorts of oddly shaped bundles in place. Because there’s no lid, we could fill the bin above the rim but would only recommend double-stacking flat cans. It also held a large volume of fruit, onions, potatoes, and other produce. Things with fixed shapes tended to leave dead space in the bin. It held seven standard-sized cracker boxes and ten 15-ounce cans, but another box or a couple of extra cans could fit in the same space if they were just stacked on the shelf. Keep in mind, however, that these bins will be too long for the average upper cabinet; you might want to provision for something else for that space.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 14.6 inches | Weight: N/A
Includes a label holder Durable and long-lasting bronze Large capacity Has handles
Exposed feet could scratch countertops May be too large for some cabinets
These baskets are super versatile and can definitely be used in and out of the pantry—they're gorgeous enough to keep on the counter to hold loose fruit, onions, or other produce. That said, they don't have a non-slip grip on the bottom, so the exposed metal feet could potentially scratch a fragile surface. For that, we suggest keeping them on a wooden buffet or table. They were a little too large to fit into cupboards with the label facing out—the feet hung over the edge of the shelf—so we positioned them parallel.
These stackable wire baskets have a rustic, farmhouse feel and add a decorative touch while providing ample storage for snack-size chips, cookies, and more. We found them perfect for storing loose and bagged potatoes and kids' snacks. The baskets are lightweight and have handles, so it was no problem to move them from the pantry shelves to the kitchen; the handles also flip over to allow you to stack the baskets on top of each other.
Made of bronze metal wire, these durable baskets will stand up well to wear and tear and can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Each basket also has a label holder so you can write the contents on each bin for reference.
Material: Metal | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions:16.14 x 5.91 x 5.51 inches | Weight: 3.03 pounds
Integrated handles High sides prevent items from falling Easy to wipe clean Great for compact spaces
Square-sided items may fit awkwardly Taller items are a little tricky to remove
This rotating container by iDesign + The Spruce gives you both storage and organization for your favorite condiments, spices, and oils in your pantry or refrigerator. Its open, see-through design keeps all your items visible, especially if you keep short jars in the outside row, and the high sides prevent any bottles from falling over. During testing, we found that the turntable’s high sides could make it challenging to remove tall items, especially from the middle of the pack. We needed at least a couple of extra inches between the top of the tallest bottle in the turntable and the shelf above it to lift the bottle free.
The tray measures just under 11.5 inches in diameter and can help you optimize storage in compact spaces. We preferred it for round-sided jars and bottles since boxes left gaps in the round tray. The size worked well in various spaces in a kitchen or walk-in pantry. It fits in an overhead cupboard that’s at least 15 inches wide and on 12-inch-deep open shelving. It needs enough room around it to spin. Still, the ability to turn it and see what’s inside, rather than unloading a whole shelf to get to items in the back row, was worth the minimal loss of usable space. Made of durable plastic, you can clean up any spills, grease, or dust by hand washing it with a nonabrasive sponge and mild detergent.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions: 11.41 x 4.41 inches | Weight:N/A
Creates a lot of vertical space Affordable value Sturdy construction Can be stacked easily
May be tricky to assemble Aren't ideal for pantry shelves
If you're blessed with lots of vertical space in your pantry, these sturdy shelves will help you get more storage by creating surfaces where there previously was none. This set comes with two nesting shelves that can be stacked to create another tier, or they can be used separately wherever you need additional vertical storage.
These shelves are made from durable steel, allowing you to store cans and jars without worrying about stability. The perforated top provides a more stable surface than other shelves that are made with wire. The two-pack comes with one shelf slightly larger than the other, which allows the smaller one to fit flush under the larger one for compact storage. They have rubber grips on the legs, which provide extra stability on shelving.
During testing, we used these shelves to separate and organize dinnerware and were impressed by how they transformed the kitchen cabinets by doubling the amount of vertical storage and shelf space. The legs are very skinny, so we couldn't use them on pantry shelving, which is metal and has gaps. However, the shelves did fit easily into the kitchen cabinets, allowing the expansion of storage space for dishes and drinkware—and the ability to organize mismatched bowls and plates. We also discovered during testing that these shelves allowed for the storage of smaller appliances—we fit a yogurt maker underneath and a small waffle iron on top.
Material: Steel | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions: 9.25 x 13.75 x 6.25 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds
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Continue to 5 of 9 below.
Airtight seal Stackable Attractive design Wide enough to fit scoop
Takes two hands to pour Hand wash only
are wonderful for storing baking supplies, such as flour and sugar, but they also make beautiful countertop displays for more colorful contents, including candy and dried fruit. These canisters are made from lightweight yet durable glass, so you can always see their contents. The stainless steel lids add a modern decorative accent and have silicone gaskets to keep the containers airtight.
We love the way these canisters look in a cabinet, on walk-in pantry shelving, and displayed on the counter. There is a seam in the glass, but you can position it in a way that you won't see it. We used them to store pasta, rice, cereal, and nuts. The largest canister is tall enough to hold a 1-pound package of spaghetti with plenty of room to fit more. The cereal and nuts were transferred from already open boxes, which helped get rid of the boxes that take up a lot of space and provided peace of mind that the grain products stay fresh for longer, thanks to the silicone gaskets in the lid as opposed to an open cardboard box.
The wide diameter of the canisters was enough space to reach in with a scoop or measuring cup. We could measure 1/2 cup of rice by dipping a measuring cup into the canister instead of trying to pour rice from the jar and spilling it everywhere. The width makes these canisters a little awkward to hold one-handed if you want to pour something like cereal directly into your bowl. It's more of a two-hand process to open and pour from these canisters. They are lightweight, though.
This set comes with four sizes of containers, each with a 4.5-inch diameter: 4.5, 6, 7, and 9 inches tall (which is tall enough for pasta). Keep the containers clean by hand washing them with soap and water and wiping the tops down with a damp cloth. As an added bonus, these canisters are stackable.
Material: Glass | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 5.33 pounds
The Spruce Eats
Low profile Nonskid feet Affordable price
No built-in handles Some prep utensils are too long
If you're looking for solutions to keep your kitchen drawers in order, this affordable organizer from iDesign + The Spruce is a simple and versatile piece to use. It measures 12 x 6 x 2.25 inches, a low enough profile that fits into a standard drawer. Keep utensils sorted or use it to gather up bits and bobs that tend to get lost, like chip clips and bottle stoppers. This transparent insert features four nonskid feet that keep it in place while you open and close your drawer. Still, our testing found that the feet were smooth enough to slide the bin from a shelf.
The box fits many sizes of drawers. It nestled alongside a silverware divider in a base cabinet drawer and even fit snugly from front to back in the drawer of a small kitchen cart. It was just barely too long to fit in a wall cabinet with a door. We liked this bin for keeping dry measuring cups and spoons in one place. It was also long enough to hold small spatulas and serving utensils. Many prep utensils, like wooden spoons and whisks, were too long for the box.
We found this tray most useful when loaded with various sets of similar items: single-serving oatmeal and soup packets, snack pouches for kids, tea, or vitamin bottles. Just note that packets taller than 6.5 inches tended to bend over the short sides. Made from durable plastic, this container will stand up to everyday use and is easy to clean with soap and water.
Material: Plastic | Capacity:N/A | Dimensions: 6 x 12 x 2 inches | Weight: N/A
No-slip rubber Multiple color options available Space saver Can hold cans, small tins
Top row could be taller Utilitarian
If you have an extensive collection of spices, it can be difficult to find a suitable organizational tool that keeps them all visible and accessible. This three-tier organizer takes advantage of vertical space to allow you to see many jars of spices at once. This design made it easier for us to find the seasoning we needed, but we could have read more labels on back-row jars if the risers were even taller.
Each shelf is 2.75 inches deep, giving you plenty of room for jars of spices, but you could also use this to organize small jars of canned foods. We found that squat spice jars and full-size cans of coconut milk hung over the riser’s edge, but skinnier spice jars and smaller cans could live side by side. We wouldn't recommend anything larger than an 8-ounce jar or a can with a 2.5-inch diameter.
The jar organizer is made from durable plastic with a nonslip lining on the shelf to keep your jars and cans in place. It also has nonskid feet, which made the entire unit, as well as the jars on it, quite stable. You can keep this clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: N/A | Dimensions: 9 x 10 x 3 inches | Weight: 9.9 ounces
The Spruce Eats
Upright orientation Shatter-resistant Great for tight spaces
Not ideal for mixing different can shapes Loud when taking cans out
If you regularly stock your home with cans of soda or buy your canned goods in bulk, this standing bin is a smart solution to store them. Designed to utilize vertical space and create more storage in tighter spaces, this clear bin acts as a dispenser, making it easy to grab from the front of the unit. The see-through sides and open top can make it easy to see how many cans you have left and when it's time to replenish your supply.
Made of BPA-free plastic, this generously sized storage bin is meant to hold cans of soup, beans, broth, and more. During testing, we were able to pack several sizes of cans in it, fitting four 30-ounce cans or eight 15-ounce cans. Still, we could stack more cans in the same space, making the dispenser best for cans without molded bottoms that tend to wobble when stacked upright. Cans of mixed sizes and contents could all be included in the dispenser, but it was really designed to hold multiple identical cans.
This dispenser also holds standard-size cans of soda or beer and can be used in the refrigerator to keep cold drinks within easy reach. We found it most useful for these beverage cans and could pack in a dozen, with the last ones peeking out of the top. This bin fit in various parts of the kitchen, including wall-mounted cabinets and narrow pantry shelves or cabinets. The design made it easy to access the frontmost can, but it was quite noisy as the remaining cans rolled forward.
Material: Plastic | Capacity: 7 12-ounce cans | Dimensions: 10.98 x 5.44 x 8.41 inches | Weight: 1.16 pounds
The Spruce Eats
We love the versatility and durability of these , which are made of transparent BPA-free plastic and come in an array of sizes. For bulky items that still need to be organized and accessible, we like the . Its handles make it easier to move the baskets around.
We sent all of the pantry organization shelves and bins on this list to our seasoned home testers, who used them to store utensils, produce, snacks, soda, spices, and more in pantries, fridges, cupboards, and drawers, as well as on kitchen counters. Each pantry organization shelf and bin was rated on design, capacity, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Our testers then offered additional insights on each pantry organization shelf and bin's strengths and weaknesses.
Before you purchase anything, you’ll want to measure the space you intend to use. After all, it doesn't feel great to buy something only to find out it doesn’t fit. Most products will have their dimensions clearly labeled. If you’re really pressed for space, try bins or shelves that stack on top of each other.
A product’s material dictates two major things: durability and appearance. Certain plastics and metals can have high levels of durability and can be used for years. Other materials might break down faster. If aesthetic is important to you, then you may want to search for products that have various different sizes or orientations so they all look uniform. Then again, if you prefer function over fashion, a clear container may be better, so you can actually see what’s inside.
The idea of getting an organizing bin or shelf is to make your life easier, right? You may want to avoid products that are too heavy, unwieldy, don’t have handles, or are difficult to stack. If gaining access to whatever you store in the bin or shelf is too tricky, it defeats the purpose of having it in the first place.
Ultimately, it comes down to preference. Many people prefer glass because of its aesthetic and being more environmentally friendly and dishwasher safe. That said, plastic containers tend to be lighter, can usually stack into one another to save space, are less likely to break or shatter, and are more easily transported. If they come with a good lid or seal, glass and plastic will preserve your dry ingredients just fine.
If you have too many soup cans or spice bottles and are running out of surface space, it’s time to go vertical. Adding shelves, tiered lazy Susans, stackable bins, hanging organizers, or drawers can really help maximize the space you do have. In general, you'll want to group like things together; grains on one shelf, canned goods on another, and so forth. Baking items can live on a higher shelf because they aren't used as much as, say, items you use to make dinner. Perhaps you could also consider organizing based on cuisine, or prep techniques. Think about how you cook, and what feels the most useful to you.
The answer to this is going to depend a bit on the size of your pantry and its orientation; i.e, whether it's more like a closet or if it's an actual pantry you can walk into.
Like anything else, your containers, shelves, or bins will need cleaning every now and again—even if it’s just using a damp cloth to wipe out some crumbs or spilled sugar. How to best clean your organizational tools will depend on the material itself. Some items, like glass jars, will likely be dishwasher safe. Plastic options might require some hand-washing with soap and hot water. Wooden or metal containers might not need much more than a quick scrub with a lightly damped towel. Just be sure to completely dry everything before storing any items.
The author of this piece,is an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. With a major penchant for cooking combined with limited kitchen space, she has become a master of kitchen organization to keep her ever-growing collection of spices, flours, and gourmet ingredients in order. After a two-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools and interviews field experts for their insight.
has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years and published her first cookbook, "in 2020. She lives in a 500-square-foot cabin in Montana and puts up hundreds of jars of canned goods every year, so her pantry storage has to be top-notch. She probably spends more time than she should organizing her set up to keep everything easy to find. Julie personally tested five organizers on this roundup.
is a registered dietician nutritionist. She personally tested four organizers on this roundup.
is a writer who focuses on food and travel. She’s always in the kitchen trying to recreate recipes from around the world. Her work has been featured in publications such as _Food & Wine_, _Travel + Leisure_, and _Southern Living_.
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