I’m hoping if I treat my pantry like a decor/art project maybe, just maybe, it will be too pretty for me to trash a la Hurricane Jenn. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
Ummm… so I guess it had a bit of a rough start there.
Moving on!
Leave it to me to build a house and then do something like this to it. Bad Jenn! Bad!
Project Pantry Over-Organization time!
I was desperate for some pretty glass storage containers to fill with pastas, grains, nuts, seeds, etc… but needed a more affordable option. Lucky for me, I have an uber expensive indulgence that comes in a pretty glass bottle. Suddenly the $4 a pop I spend on my “happy tea” doesn’t seem quite so indulgent.
I just blatantly lied to you, they’re still ridiculously expensive and indulgent in my eyes. I haven’t had a kombucha in two weeks and this weekend i’m going to close my eyes, swipe my credit card, and hope for the best. Wait.. what were we talking about again?
Ridiculously expensive FREE glass containers!
So typically, I either recycle these bottles or upcycle them in a paint project.
This time I had bigger plans for them.
The opening of the bottle is wide enough to be filled with nearly anything!
[Quinoa] [Chia Seeds] [Pasta] [Oats] [Millet] [Salt] [Sugar] [Panko] [Corn Meal] [etc…]
You can also use a little funnel for easy filling!
Tips on removing the label:
To remove the wrap-around label, run your bottle under super hot water for a few seconds. Reduce the temp so it doesn’t burn your hands, [keep it as hot as you can handle! hehe] and continue to run bottle under the hot water as you gently peel the label off. If you’re patient the entire thing will come off in one piece, but if not, continue to run under water and “roll” the remaining label off with your thumb. Goo-Gone or polish remover will pick up any leftover bits! A Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover will remove the date stamp from the lid, if needed.
Some of these came from bulk bins, and others were liberated from their bulky cardboard boxes. It looks 100x better with them all in the same container, and the labels help tired chefs avoid mishaps. Plus they’re super cute and unified with their snazzy new labels.
I decided to take everything that would eventually end up all over the pantry [spices, snacks, baking supplies, nuts, tea, etc…] and toss it into plastic boxes and drawers. I’ve been holding onto these little storage carts since college and they just keep coming in handy! You can pick them up virtually anywhere and they’re uber affordable. I can’t recommend these enough! Clutter-busters extraordinaire.
Naturally I had to label them too!
My in-laws gifted me a package of plastic storage boxes during the move and, at the time, I had no idea what to do wit them! How perfect are these for the pantry? Now my spices and canned goods are neat and organized on those pesky wire shelves! I’d love to replace the wire with wood but funds are tight, so these little bins are a great solution and keep us within budget!
No pantry? Maximize those cabinets! Glass bottled pastas, cereals, and nuts are way more space saving than bulky bags and boxes. Streamline your storage by slimming it down into thrifted or upcycled bottles and jars. Labels tie them all together and make it super easy to find everything! Regardless of your food storage situation, a little organization goes a loooong way.
For more tips on organizing + decorating your kitchen, [click here]
Or, if you’re ahead of the game, what’s your most organized room? =)
This is gorgeous! I’m inspired!!
I live in California, so we’re kind of tight on water. Homemade, natural “Goo Gone” will remove labels easily. In a small plastic container with a lid, mix a paste of baking soda and olive oil. Saturate the label with a thin layer of paste and let sit an hour. The label will come right off.
Love these tips, Sue!
I love the idea of using the kombucha bottles. I was saving all my glass items forever and then I forgot what I was doing with them. We moved and I got rid of all of them. I think organization was my goal the whole time!
Thanks Michelle! Every time we move I revamp and reassess my organizational game and it’s so satisfying when you finally get everything it’s own place and keep it there! xoxo
I love your kitchen! This is amazing! I can’t get over your silverware tray either – where did you find that magnificent thing?!
Thank you!!! It’s from Target and they sell them pretty much anywhere OXO can be found. Target/Wal-Mart/Bed Bath and Beyond and so on! =) I LOVE it!
Could you please tell me where you got those stickers?! I have been to 4 stores as well as online and I can’t find them anywhere!
Michael’s Craft Store has them! They’ve carried them for the past few years so they should still sell them — I’ll double-check next time I go! =)
Wooooow <3
Thanks Tracy!!!! I still have toooons of organizing to do too — it’s so amazing when it’s done though right? =)
My entire house is in need of organizing! I have 2 boys and a husband who think it’s a challenge to un-organize everything after I’ve organized it and I don’t have the energy to keep re-organizing it. Our bedroom, bathroom & kitchen need organization in the worst way….
I LOVE how you organized your pantry. So beautiful!!
nice
These are so cute! I do this too, but with my empty coconut oil jars…they have a wider-mouth so I can keep the spoons right inside…the stickers are a great idea though, I’ll have to find some of those!
I love your now organized pantry 🙂
Dee
http://alapinlife.blogspot.com/
LOVE it. I’m semi-obsessed with organization. You did an awesome job.
Hey Sharon! I have enough bottles to pour all the contents in to them until the boxes are empty.. and then I simply recycle the boxes [though a few I have managed to reuse for other things – love doing that!]
Where do you put the boxes of leftover stuff once you’ve filled the jars? Presumably one whole package doesnt go into each bottle?!
love it – I did something similar with mason jars and chalkboard paint
haha YES! Move next door and i’ll organize your place! =)
Wow!! I wish I had your organization skills … can I borrow yours, lol??
You can do it Christie!
What a pretty pantry!! I
Wow, it looks fantastic, so organised. My hubby would be over the moon if I could achieve this…it’s a lot to aspire to!
Organization is the key to everything! love your awesomely organized pantry.
pantry cabinet
Wow, what a great post! I would love it if you linked your tips up to my organization link party this week. I know my readers would love to see them: http://thriftmeblog.com/lets-organize-2012-pantry-recap-link-party/
Thanks!
Love the bin of donut shop coffee! It’s my favorite too!
And awesome pantry! Mine looks like a tornado organized it….
I almost always buy something for the container to re-use it! 😉
You should join me for handmade 52! http://www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com
Katie
It looks awesome!! Great organization ideas!
awwww thanks Kim! =) Mason jars make faaaabulous storage too! I love how vintage they always look! love drinking out of them too!
This is wonderful. I am just like you. Mine is all mason jars with stickers saying what’s inside.
I LOVE the idea of the recycled bottles – I usually end up using mason jars, this is even better. Loving the one letter labels too!
I love your awesomely organized pantry. Thanks for linking to the Home Decor and Organizing Link party. I featured your pantry today.
ahhhh really!? i’m off to check it out!!!! thank you!
I’ve been on an organization kick lately and I love what you’ve done here! I will definitely be using some of these ideas. Also, I featured this post on my “Show Off Saturday”. I hope you’ll check it out!
http://www.mydecoupagedlife.com/2012/01/show-off-saturday-organization.html
Yayyyy! So happy to help! This morning I was just noticing how my pantry has stayed clean this ENTIRE TIME when I never keep anything clean and tidy for more than a week! The containers do their job oh-so-well! <3 Thanks Kimberly!
You have completely inspired me! I use those plastic storage bins in every room in the house but, for some reason, never thought about my pantry floor! Thanks for sharing. I’ll be doing this project myself very soon. 🙂
Holding onto storage schtuff from college… best. idea. ever! What do you use yours for these days? =)
Ooh, I love the plastic bins. And those plastic drawers? We still have some from our college days as well.:) Pantry looks great.:)
This is such a genius idea. I love organizing, but i can never think of ideas to make organizing easier without spending a ton of money…Anyway, I LOVE kombucha and probably recycled at least 10 bottles this past week….Not anymore. I will definitely be saving them to organize with! Thanks for the great idea!
-Bailey
http://lostandfound-bailee.blogspot.com/
Featuring YOU today over on my blog! 🙂 You were one of my favorites at last week’s {wow me} wednesday party. 🙂 Thank YOU for sharing!
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2011/11/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_10.html
Thanks Alexis!!!! Once you start you can’t stop! =) xoxo
Fantastic! I love those little labels- makes me want to empty out some jars just to fill them up and label them!
Very cool! That is the perfect size for storage containers. I save the trail mix ones from Target. I love the “spice it up” label.
Everything looks great! Thanks for the tip for removing labels. I always have such a hard time with that. It must feel so good to have it all organized. I am a new follower from Ginger Snap Crafts. Vicky from Mess For Less
That pantry is gorgeous, seeing the beautiful (am loving the labels ) organizing that you have done is so inspiring.
Brilliant & thirst quenching. P.s. Aren’t chia seeds amazing?
This is a super idea, I can’t wait to try it out in my cupboards (which are at present) very untidy -Jasann
I LOVE THIS IDEA. the stickers are such a fun and easy way to organize it all. great thinking–i think i may know what ill be getting into this weekend 🙂
Seriously I will let you drink all the kombucha you want it you can make my pantry look that awesome and organized.
So glad you found me on foodbuzz! I LOVE this pantry. I’m a bit of an organization nut myself, and I’m currently tackling ideas using my smaller cabinet space without spending a ton of money! Thanks!
Wow! That is the most organized pantry I’ve EVER seen! Love it. I think I’m going to use these tips when I move down to FL.
Hi there, what a wonderful job you did with your pantry. If I had one I would want to organize it, that’s how inspiring it was. Good job. I found and am now following you through Show And Tell Friday, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
i LOVE it!!! uhhhhhg you make me feel so bad about my situation. damn lady!
OMFG, this is freaking fantastic! I love combining artsy, DIY stuff with a good organization-fest (which, believe me, I partake in often – but usually sans artsy fun things). Your pantry looks awesome! 🙂
Wow you are really really organized. I need to now go to my pantry and clean it out and label everything. Thanks for sharing!
(found ya on a linky party)
love this! I love how you used scrapbook letters. It came out very streamlined 🙂 thanks for sharing!
I just started reading your blog. Now a fan! 🙂 Found you off the GT’s fb page. This is a really cute idea for the bottles. I just wanted to tell you that I felt the exact same way about Gt’s booch. Justifiable splurge, right? I then looked into brewing my own. I was intimidated at first and didn’t know if it would be something I could do. However, I love to cook & try new recipes (http://ryansfoodadventures.blogspot.com/) and so I figured I’d give it a shot. All it takes is a bottle of Gt’s original (to start the scooby) a gallon glass jar (You can buy a pickle jar and eat them/give the pickles away) some organic black tea and sugar. That’s it. There are TONS of websites that give you step by step directions on how to brew. If you don’t have a scooby/mother to start off with and you are “growing one from scratch” hence the Gt’s original (has to be original-no flavors) it will take a little longer than normal but once you have a scooby to work with-brewing time can take 5-7 days and you will have a GALLON of delicious, fizzy, healthy kombucha of your own. I’ve been doing this for about 2 months now and consider myself a pro. I was soooo freaked at first but it’s SO EASY. I just wanted to let you know. If you have any questions; send me a shout on my (tiny and not updated often) blog! You seem very crafty and I think it’s something you could handle. I love spreading the home brewed booch love now, heheh…Well, G/l & awesome blog.
Great idea. I’ve been recycling pb, pasta sauce and salsa jars for bulk item storage but I’ll definitely keep the next Kombucha bottles that pass through too!
You might be the smartest person on the planet! My husband drinks the kombucha teas almost daily and we’ve always just recycled the glass container. I’ll be keeping them now! Thanks!
Hey love muffin i’m uber impressed by this organization. Could you please come over and organize my new kitchen? and closet? and bdrm? and office? and etc etc etc? LOVE the use of GT bottles, I’ve been using them to store popcorn…just a little bit ghetto since I’m to lazy to peel off the labels, haha. Love ya, xoxo!
LOVE it. I’m semi-obsessed with organization. You did an awesome job.
LOVE this! I’m a complete mess when it comes to organization normally but I do love my food to be organized!
Great post and tips for keeping an organized pantry!
Great, great, great idea!! My husband becomes obsessed every once in a while with storage boxes, like they’re going out of production and we need to buy up as many as possible. We have roll out trays in our cabinets and pantry that we (he) easily installed on our (his) own 🙂 They’re awesome.
p.s. when i looked at that first picture i thought the alphabet pasta was rice, so i was very confused about it being labeled with an ‘a’.
Awww…..I love your organisation skills! The labels look cute! Great work sweetie! my cupboards are kinda messy right now and you’ve totally inspired me to sort them out!
Wow! I love!
xx.
That is fantastic. What a great idea to reuse the bottles! $4 AND you get the tea? They’re practically free aren’t they?
Ugh, my whole house needs a makeover. We’re moving next month though, so I think I’ll hold off. 🙂
Stopped by from Amanda’s.
I’m doing a week of giveaways on my blog. Stop over and enter.
Fantastic use of space! Love the labels. 🙂
I love your blog–especially the graphic of peas and crayons–so creative! Thanks for the great ideas for my pantry! I love using glass jars to organize and store but never thought of recycling tea and other jars! The labels make it super cute and I’m totally inspired to revamp my cabinets now! Thanks!
What a grrreat, great idea!! I especially love the ‘spice it up’ ahhh – can’t wait til the hubs and I have a place to settle down into =)
Jenn, you know what?
I love you!!
And right now I particularly love your domestic goddessness. The pantry is GORGE. And using kombucha bottles to store staples is a fantastic idea…Those labels are so darn chic! Even though I don’t have a pantry, you’ve inspired me to clean out my kitchen cupboards this weekend. And sip a kombucha while doing it. Because it’s been way too long since I’ve had a fix. xoxoxo
That is such a clever use of the left over Kombucha bottles! They look super cute too!
I think I’m going to do this idea, with slightly different materials. I’ve been trying to figure out the details since I was at your house, haha! Looks great, Jenn.
Very cute! I love this! I love it when functional meets pretty. ie. you.
I LOVE this! I don’t have a pantry as big as yours, so it leads to even more messes. I dream of one day owning my own house and being able to organize it. But for now, I’ll just look at yours and dream!
Can you please come over and over-organize my pantry?? I’m totally inspired…my pantry needs serious help!
Puffins <3
And this is such a great idea! I love when everything has its own place. Those stickers are very chic looking too!
love it!! great project and great use of the bottles. you make me want to go label everything 🙂
I want your pantry! 😀
You are awesome. End of story!!
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness
this is quite possibly the most ingenious idea ever. i love it!
oh la la! i am lovin this!!
I love the recycled bottles, you smartypants!
..shoot. now I need to start buying kombucha?
What a great idea!!! Now to drink all those beverages for to get that amount of containers lol!! I am not lucky enough to have a pantry, I just have an extra cupboard but I will make it work.
Wow! Want to come organize my cabinets for me? 😀 I could definitely use some over-organization. Genius to use “free” glass bottles, I’ve got to find a drink/food I really like that also comes in a good reusable container!
I think I am in love! This looks so great and I love the stickers you used! I need to start saving my glass pasta jars for stuff like this:)
I use glass containers but you took this to a whole new level (of course). I’m jealous but then I also though of getting the rice and cornmeal into the somewhat narrow bottles and my head hurt. Did you use a funnel? And yes, I will always ask the questions that make me sound like a moron. I use canning jars but don’t have enough so I also have yucky boxes and it makes me crazy. I’m inspired. Project pantry this weekend and project kids desks and project closet….
haha i always forget the comment box is at the top and scroll all the way down…anyway…genius friend!! I have yet to try this tea you speak of…kinda intimidated by it, is there a beginner flavor I should start with? 🙂
LOVE the org ideas for the cabinets and pantry. Unfortunately I am hooked on the uber-expensive POP containers. And I reuse them in different ways. So I am wondering if labeling is a good idea. But I have TONS of stickers from my scrapbooking days.
And I pinned your idea’s!
The Kidless Kronicles
I have an idea- ill move into your pantry, and bring lots of pumpkin bread! Love the pantry, Type A’ers unite!
Your pantry looks awesome! I love stickers too, I use them all the time and not just for my kids. 😉
I love everything about this post…recycling the kombucha bottles, stickers even the little “Pin it” button discreetly inserted into the post. You are too clever, girl!
I would love to try this in my pantry, but with 3 little ones would need to store the bottles in something so they wouldn’t hit the tile floor and explode. Ideas? I’m also stoked to give the label maker we bought for our school room another job. I love and would def use the stickers, but the OCD part of me would have to put a complete label at least on the bottom of the bottle. 😉
I have the same dilemna with glass containers / tiled pantry floor & klutzy DH. :-O
Have a ton of diff. sized coffee creamer bottles in a craft bin in the garage, two diff. sizes. Some are clear (Bailey’s), most are white (Coffeemate, etc.). But willing to give this a whirl with labels, they’d look awesome. Now if the creamers just came in SQUARE bottles, it would make it much easier to stack! ~Sunny
Jealous doesn’t even BEGIN to cover how I feel after reading this post. Your pantry is gorgeous! I’m an organization freak and I label everything- I literally have OCD.
Using your old Kombucha bottles for storage is brilliant! Now I have an excuse to keep indulging. (:
Everything in my apartment is pretty organized, but I’m planning to RE-organize my pantry after seeing yours!
Girl, you so brilliant. Is a for alphabet soup? So stinkin’ cute. Oh, and $4 for 2 servings, pshh cheaper than 1 glass of wine at a bar. There, justified.
I love those containers!! I wish I had a pantry to organise 🙂 I’ll have to settle for organising my bedroom, hmm…
ohmygoodness, my heart is racing. awesome organization!
come visit anytime–and hope you will enter my shabby chic giveaway:
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-is-pearl-blushing.html
warmly,
michele
WOW now you are my hero!! Can I pay you to come do mine? Its a complete disaster zone lol!
pretty!
Wow I am absolutely loving this! You are sooo flippen talented Jenn 🙂
Kombucha bottles as jars is ridiculous brilliant. I’m going to dig mine out of the recycling right now…
Love the pantry, I have a similar style corner one! Love the organization, very classy! I have to overhaul mine every few months because it gets trashed. I’ve been lucky that hubby did the last one. 🙂
It looks great! I thought mine was organized, but you put me to shame.
Awesome!! It’s so simple but it looks great!! I love the stickers! 🙂
Looks great. Way to go! Do you want to come over and organize mine. It’s not quite as spacious, but with your skills..I can see you doing wonders. 🙂
Wow. I just found something to do with all my kombucha bottles. Great post!!!
YOU are a life saver!! my mom has been bugging me about finding pantry organization and tips haha i will be sure to show her this!
I love this idea you creative cat! I am so jealous of your pantry space also, I only have two cupboards for my pantry and it is not nearly big enough! One day when I have a proper grown-up pantry I am totally doing this!
THIS looks UH-MAAAAZING!!!!!!!~~~~I just moved andwe have a sort of a walk in pantry, but my mom and I just have soo much stuff that it’s impossible to do anything with it, haha 😛 This is quite inspiring to be super neat and creative, especially for when I’m married next yr.! teeheee
Very fun! Love love love how it all came out!
Right now I’m in desperate need for my kitchen to be organized. You’ve totally inspired me. Thanks, mam!
Sooo cute! I am totally with you, if you make it pretty you treat it better. Thank you for sharing! I’d love for you to link up to my party here (http://www.momontimeout.com/2011/10/taking-timeout-thursday-link-party-no-1.html)if you get the chance 🙂
So creative, functional AND adorable! I have 2 roomates which means SO much pantry clutter but am going to tackle it hopefully this weekend – you have gave me some great ideas…thanks! 🙂
So cute!! I am very jealous 🙂
such a fun project!!! i need more glass jars in my pantry! it’s on my to-do list.
Such a great idea for organizing. I love when my pantry looks stylish and filled to the brim with organic products. I feel pretty fancy 😉
OBSESSED. You are a girl after my own heart! I love organizing and labeling. If I HAD a pantry right now I would have to copy it. 🙂
LOVE IT.
I need some of your motivation to take on my entire kitchen. The farther I get in life, I am starting to realize enjoying cooking some how partners with having a disaster of a kitchen!
OMG- I am sooooo jealous! What a great idea with the stickers. I really want to come over and hang out in your pantry. I’m scred to go check mine out right now. ha!
Um I need to hire you … like, now. I’m “organized” but not like that. I’m seriously impressed and jealous!
Oh my gosh – you are amazing! Please come and organize my kitchen. Heck, do my whole house. And I’ll pay you with Kombucha.
Very creative Jenn!
LOVE this! I am an OCD freak, lol, so you have just fed right into my obsession 🙂
i LOVE this! your pantry makes me jealous right now. i don’t have a pantry and our cabinet space is limited!
Best idea ever! 🙂
ohhh my goodness, adorable. When I move into a house someday I’m totally doing something just like this!
Very organized girl – wowsers! 🙂 Looks great! Wanna come to my condo and get me all organized? 🙂
xoxo from Triidad
OMG I love it!!! Now I feel like clearing out my pantry!
This is AWESOME. I wish I had started saving Kombucha bottles! How long did it take for you to make your collections 🙂
So clever! I need to reorganize my pantry. What a daunting task…
Jenn this is genius!! I need to organize my pantry so badly and I love your stickers!
Feel like working your magic in our pantry? ☺ Great thought to reuse the glass bottles!
Such cute Ideas! I love it!
what needs organizing in my home?
um.
EVERYTHINGAH.
seriously. can I fly you out here, pay you in kombucha, dessert and dachshund kisses, and you can do this to every room?
pessa’s impressed.
Eureka! I have been trying to eliminate some plastic containers I use in my house (due to the questionable Bisphenol A in them) but glass containers are so hard to come by. How have I NOT thought to use Kombucha bottles?! Genius you are!
And bonus – I friggin’ love that tea. 🙂
Nice job! Looks super awesomely organized (and pretty taboot).
I usually use mason jars, but the kombucha bottles are a great idea and would fit perfectly in a ridiculously shallow cupboard I have…
This is dangerous…it gives me a reason to buy all the kombucha I want 🙂
In love with the design of the letters! So cute. I LOVE ORGANIZATION haha
I love the idea of re-using Kombucha bottles. I never thought of that. I have a plethora of empty peanut butter jars that I use, but maybe it is time to start adding some variety.
This is a great solution for your kombucha bottles … and it looks incredibly lovely and super organized. I too have a HUGE collection of those same bottles … Chris keeps threatening to recycle them, but I’m KNOW I’ll find a use for them yet 🙂
Omg I’m having a design and organization orgasm/envy right now!!!! I love your house and that you’re just as OCD as I am!!! I want to do this ASAP.
Wow! You pantry looks fabulous! I feel inspired to tackle mine!!
Jo-Anna
oooohhhhh i am so jealous of your pantry 🙂 it is so pretty!!! i love your use of the glass containers. i cleaned my pantry a few weeks ago and it is a disaster again. i actually can’t fit anything in there and have things piled on the counter 🙁 this is giving me some inspiration to tackle the beast today. I want a pretty pantry!!