March After – Pantry - Away She Went

It’s the end of the month – that means it’s time for me to share my March After. I want to start by saying the pantry isn’t finished…this isn’t the final “after” reveal. I still have some work to do, but I’ve made some serious progress.

Remember how my pantry looked at the beginning of the month?

Here’s how it looks now!

Let’s take a closer look - Warning: Lots of pictures ahead!

Before

After

This picture really just shows how much better everything looks once it’s organized! The top shelf is now pool testing kits and games, the second shelf is now kitchen appliances, and the third shelf is paper goods/supplies.

Before

After

I think the biggest change is that I finally took all those plastic bags to be recycled! I’m pretty sure that collection was from an entire year of shopping. Now, every time I fill a bag I’m taking it to be recycled…no more bag hoarding! A few people commented that I should stop using plastic bags, but honestly I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I have fabric shopping bags, but I always forget to put them in my car or forget to take them into the store. And I’m pretty sure my boyfriend wouldn’t use them. Sorry, but I’m just being honest. I save them up and take them to the store to be recycled, so that’s better than nothing…

Before

After

These aren’t exactly the same shelves (the bottom left “before” shelf is the same one as the top “after” shelf). Most of the stuff on the top shelves went to the Goodwill (bye bye wok). Then I organized our snacks into baskets and plastic IKEA containers and I organized the rice, breadcrumbs, and pasta into glass jars.

Before

After

Drinks, rags/towels, and chips now have their own space! And after all that cleaning/organizing I have an empty shelf!

Before

After

The ironing board was moved to the laundry room (finally). Here you can see the top shelves - one is holding misc. kitchen items and the other is holding my baking ingredients (flour, sugar, brown sugar, and oats). The dogs’ treats were also organized! They have their own basket of toys/goodies and a treat jar.

Before

After

Bird hooks from Hobby Lobby (spray painted black) now hold the mops and broom. The closet Hobby Lobby only had 2, so I need to make a trip to the far away Hobby Lobby to get the third one.

And finally, Ringo can’t stick his head in the food bag anymore!

(Abby modeling the new dog food container)

OK, now let’s review the to-do list:

~~Paint walls~~

~~Paint shelves~~

Update switches/outlet to white

Replace light fixture

~~Move ironing board to laundry room~~

~~Buy container for Ringo and Abby’s food~~

~~Trash expired food~~

~~Donate unused items (like that wok in the top corner)~~

~~Recycle plastic bags~~

System for storing plastic bags (maybe something like this)

~~Rearrange items on shelves~~

~~Buy baskets and containers~~

My parents are coming down Saturday for a spring training game, so I’m hoping my dad will update the light switch to white and hang the new light fixture while he's here.

Added to the to-do list:

Paint trim

Buy crate for cleaning supplies

Buy additional crate for rags

I’m so close to being done with the pantry! I’m hoping to have a final reveal in a couple weeks!

14 comments

Grammy GoodwillMarch 30, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Wow - it looks great. You did a good job.
RhiannonMarch 30, 2012 at 10:48 AM
The glass jars look great... and you got a nice stash of wine there... need help? I can come over ;-)
AnonymousMarch 30, 2012 at 10:50 AM
So nice! I would love a pantry that size!
Our Pinteresting FamilyMarch 30, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Looks fantastic! Love the size of it and all the containers.

I have to admit I was giggling at your dog's head in the food bag. Looks like our 140 lb lab who insists on doing that too...now he has figured out how to nudge the lid of the container open at times as well. He obviously doesn't need to eat any extra food. :)
Breezy BrieMarch 30, 2012 at 11:58 AM
looks great! it's definitely come a long way! :)

and I totally do the same thing with plastic bags...I hoard them because I can't throw them out and always forget to recycle them...and I can never remember to bring the reusable bags into the store either!!!

Brie @ BreezyPinkDaisies
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]March 30, 2012 at 1:06 PM
I did my utility room before Christmas and it's a disaster area again now - want to come and do mine?
JodiMarch 30, 2012 at 1:16 PM
I am so jealous, from your pantry being so organized and that you have a pantry and I don't!:)It looks so nice with all your containers for everything.

I love the pic of ringo with his head in the food sack and abby so cute just sitting there. :)

Have a great weekend
Darby HawleyMarch 30, 2012 at 1:40 PM
Wow what an awesome pantry! Please come fix mine next ;-) Abbey sure is growing, she is so sweet!
Meaghan McDowellMarch 30, 2012 at 8:48 PM
My new room is look pretty spiffy! lol. jk jk.

And I love Puppy. So cute. The new baskets really look great, I've been enjoying watching your home evolve over the last year! Even your pantry is starting to really reflect your style. I think that's great!
QuinceeMarch 30, 2012 at 9:39 PM
it's looking good. p.s.- i think abby should come home with me. She would love to meet my dog, Samson. She's too cute!
Linda {Calling it Home}March 31, 2012 at 5:46 AM
Fantastic job! What we have in common; rice cooker, slow-cooker, red wine, and vodka.
A room with a viewMarch 31, 2012 at 9:10 AM
I am impressed with how much you have crossed off your list. I love that you have removed packaging and the whole reorganization is great. Meanwhile, I continue to hope and pray that Ikea moves closer to where I live - currently about an hour or more away. Enjoy your weekend!
Lisa @ Shine Your LightMarch 31, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Sam I am LOVING your organization!!! The pantry looks soooo great!! Can you come do mine now?? :) Thanks so much for linking up, and I'm so sorry I'm late to visit but I have had laptop charger issues- ugh. It looks fabulous.
DanApril 1, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Damn your good!