PANTRY PROTOCOL
The objective is to create a pantry space that you are proud of. One that is efficient and functional for your family’s everyday needs. One that is flexible to meet the influx of holiday prep, and football frenzy (or whatever fall family fare you and yours enjoy). Sound like what you’re looking for? Great! then, let’s dive right in to my three pantry protocols to set you up for success.
If you’re here, you are likely looking to learn more about how to organize your pantry and keep your hard work in tact. Well, you have landed in the right place…but I’d like to clear up some expectations that you may have vs. the reality of what this post will deliver:
This post is about creating the pantry of your dreams with the pantry space you already have.
This post is for the mom, dad, and/or family looking to bring efficiency and order to their pantry that is simple to manage and fully transitional to the shifts of the family’s needs.
This post is for the average family that has a pantry that lacks smart design, is sized disproportionately to the home and family it serves, or just does not exist (what I’m sharing can be applied to cabinet space too).
Overall, my Pantry protocol can meet your needs — big or small. the objective is to create a pantry space that you are proud of. one that is efficient and functional for your family’s everyday needs. one that is flexible to meet the influx of holiday prep, and football frenzy (or whatever fall family fare you and yours enjoy). Sound like what you’re looking for? Great! then, let’s dive right in to my three pantry protocols to set you up for success.
one - master the declutter
It’s likely that you are here because you haven’t been able to make sense of the unspeakable mess that currently lives in your pantry. it’s a hodge podge of, “ooh! i was looking for that”, “ew…how long has this been here?”, and (my personal favorite) “Babe…where is the (insert the one food item that is sitting in plain sight)?
first step is to empty the pantry. yes…all of it. why? in order to know what you need, you must know what you have.
here’s 3 things you need to be looking for during the declutter process:
expired food items. throw them away. the manufacturer ensures that the date stamped on that can is there for a purpose. trust them. Plus, they do the most unbelievable thing — they make sure there’s more where that came from. Let it go, and add a new one to your grocery list.
products to repurpose. if you’re reading this…this is likely not your first trip down this rabbit hole. let me be the one to tell you that what you purchased can be used. it may not work in the way you tried to use it initially, but I promise that you will find its ideal purpose as you move through this process.
sort and group like items. once the unwanted things are purged, you have a better consensus of what you have vs. what you need. In order to make the organizing process go smoothly, you must sort and group like items together. for example, groups may breakdown as: breakfast items (pancake mixes, cereals, granola bars); condiments (ketchup, mustard, dressings); teas and coffees — just to name a few.
two - get measurements
Before you can ever shop for those baskets and bins you’ve been eye-ing (or saved to your cart), please be sure they will fit into the space you have. take your time measuring the space, taking care to record shelving height, depth, and width. don’t forget to get the open space from the ceiling to the top of your shelving. vertical space planning is key in getting the optimal use out of your pantry.
if you have a smaller closet sized pantry, like mine (pictured below) measure the depth of your pantry from door opening to the front of your shelves and the width and height of the door. you’ll need this when looking for over the door storage solutions.
three - purchase with purpose
finding what fits your pantry and your needs is not as difficult, nor expensive as you think. Many products found online and in discount stores are reasonably priced and well made. also, let’s not forget about the items you put to the side for repurposing as directed in protocol one. here are some of my most coveted items that i use in my clients’ pantries and cabinets, as well as my own:
Clear bins of various shapes and sizes. I rely on clear bins, especially for families with young children. It takes the guess work out of what is running low, and what is not being eaten at all. knowing these key factors help with restocking and future grocery runs.
clear turntable racks in various sizes (commonly know as ‘lazy susans’). I love these for storing condiments, cooking oils and vinegars, and other bottled items. I especially recommend that you purchase these with a non-skid surface and enclosed sides to keep glass containers from toppling over. these are essential in making more space on shelves.
labels and baskets. Only when needed. in my opinion, labels on clear containers are not necessary unless you are looking for the aesthetic. I do highly recommend purchasing labels and baskets for back stock items. This is especially handy for families that buy in bulk. it allows you to store all the things without disrupting the order and beauty of the fully organized pantry.
extra tips and notes
do plan before hand. shopping for a pantry organizing project can become overwhelming if not properly planned. consider budget, collect inspiration photos, and take your time researching product options.
keep your family in mind. be realistic in your planning. what are the things that your children ask for the most? my guess…snacks. make the snacks you wish for them to have, accessible without them needing to ask for your assistance. storing prepackaged snacks in clear bins at their eye level encourages their independence and frees up some of your time.
hire a professional. when all else fails or your mental capacity has reached its max, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for help. if you are in the atlanta area, i’d love to step in to assist. Let’s chat and see how i can help! book your free discovery call here.
looking for the items used in my recent atl & Co. segment with Cara kneer. follow this link for recommended items.
TOY MANAGEMENT 101
Whether you have one or multiple children, you learn very early on that toys are a thorn in your side from birth until forever…What if I could impart some practical tips that could help you manage the intake, storage, and purging of the many toys and trinkets that our wonderful little ones collect along the way? I promise, these methods are tried and true. I share these practices with my clients, as well as, apply them in my own home.
Hi there! I am so happy that you have found your way to Making the Nest of It, the official blog for the Nesting Godmother. Before we jump into the subject that brought you here it is only right that I give you a brief summary of who I am and why you can trust the organizing gems that I will be sharing with you in this space.
My name is Crystal Johnson - a wife, mom, and pro home organizer based in Atlanta, GA. I have been an organizer for most of my life, but like many in this industry, had no clue that it would lead to a profession until I reached adulthood. Professionally, I’ve been organizing homes for nearly a decade. I have loved every aspect of it, but my heart has always been pulled to the clients that are navigating the many twists and turns of parenthood. What began as my desire to share my gift in a meaningful way with friends and family evolved into what is now known as the Nesting Godmother. To learn more about my business and how I can be best of service to you and your family, please take a moment to learn more about me here.
Now, let’s dive into the subject at hand, shall we?
Whether you have one or multiple children, you learn very early on that toys are a thorn in your side from birth until forever…What if I could impart some practical tips that could help you manage the intake, storage, and purging of the many toys and trinkets that our wonderful little ones collect along the way? I promise, these methods are tried and true. I share these practices with my clients, as well as, apply them in my own home.
TIP #1 - POWER OF THE PURGE
PURGE. It’s a hard word to digest, right? It feels harsh, but truly it’s one of the most beneficial things that you can do to bring order to your home and life. When it comes to toys, I challenge clients to take into account two main facts (1) toy manufacturing will not end and (2) children’s interests tend to change abruptly and frequently. First rule of thumb: Do NOT allow your children to guilt you into believing that they must hold on to the many gizmos and gadgets that you have bought them. They will survive and ask for something new soon. I guarantee.
So, how do you practically purge with children? It is most effective when you choose the right time and have your own non-negotiables.
TIMING Choosing the right time of day to purge is key.
When tackling a purge of larger toy items (i.e. race car tracks, toy kitchens) and child favorites that must be pared down your best bet is to enlist an ally. It can be your spouse/partner or a friend. The best time to remove these types of items is when the children are asleep, in school or away for a few hours. The goal is to remove it out of the home and in a place where it is less likely for the child to find it.
There is also the opportunity to involve your children in the purge process. I actually encourage it because it becomes a practice for them as they grow older and become more independent with maintaining their spaces. It also allows them to see that material objects are replaceable.
If you want to involve your child in the purging process:
I find it best to start asking them to help around the age of 3. At this age, they are able to be more clear on simple yes or no decisions.
Allow their decisions to be finite…try to avoid questioning their decision based on your own sentimental connection to the item (another conversation for another day).
Choose a time when their belly is full and they are well rested. Ideally, this would be a fun task after breakfast. With the essential needs of rest and nourishment out of the way, it is less likely for major meltdowns.
Break up the purge into bite size increments. Expect a 5-10 minute purge with your little one. Keep it simple and quick.
KNOW YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLES You have the power to choose what stays and what goes.
I am guilty of holding on to toys for too long. Yes. ME. I have the idea of fixing small breaks, or using a worn out toy for another activity in the future. You are not alone. After my second child was born, I cannot begin to tell you how much “junk” I’d held on to from my first born. What I can tell you is the solution. I had to make up my own list of non-negotiables. Non-negotiables are the absolute must-go items that I don’t allow myself to tussle with about what can stay.
Here’s my list:
Kid-Meal Toys. I have 3 small children, and a stop for a kid’s meal toy often ends in all of them having the same exact toy in their boxes. Once my children have un-bagged, assembled and played with the toy for the time after their meal, it is trashed. All of them.
Toys With Missing Parts. Kids play and kids rarely put things back together again. If our kids have misplaced 70% of the pieces to a toy set, it’s donated. I keep a box handy to dump the things that are no longer a complete set. Once full it is scurried off to my local donation center.
Broken Toys. Let’s face it…none of us are Santa’s little elves. No one has time to try to glue, screw or tape a toy to its original glory. LET IT GO!
TIP #2 - PLAY WITH PURPOSE
This is probably my favorite tip to pass along to other parents. I refer to this method as the Power Play because of just how impactful and practical it is. It requires two things: (1) your time and (2) your inner child. With the Power Play, it’s simple you get down and explore your children’s toys with them. While playing you engage by asking them to demonstrate how to best play with the toys and also watch how long and how often they actively play with the toys. I try to do this often with my children.
Here’s what you should be able to determine:
Does your child enjoy the toy's function or are they more interested in knowing that it is available? Oftentimes, what we believe is a child’s actual engagement with something is really just their comfort with knowing that they still possess it. Think of it this way: You buy books with the intention of reading them. You may begin reading and lose interest immediately, yet you put that book on the shelf. JUST. IN. CASE. I think you get the picture.
Has your child outgrown the toy? Again, going back to comfort. Some toys, especially the educational type, have a limit to its purpose. As your child progresses in their development, it is ok to remove those items that are no longer challenging them to stretch their learning muscles. Pass it along to a sibling or donate.
Is the toy duplicated in another toy? This is an ongoing battle for me. When you have an abundance of items you often overlook the random duplicates that exist. Many toys have similar functions and one is enough. If you are playing with toys that your children have, you will likely find that you have toys that serve the same function and purpose.
TIP #3 - CREATE SYSTEMS
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with a professional organizer in any capacity, this tip should come as no surprise. My goal is to always leave my clients with practical ways to maintain the work we do together to make their home space function well. Creating systems are the most effective way to do that. With children, systems are a game changer. Systems allow them the opportunity to flex their independence and maintain their spaces better.
Here are my top 2 systems that I implement in every play space I organize and wimy home:
Designate storage for like items. The best way to make this work is with clear storage bins. Children respond well to being able to visually see where things go. When clear bins are not desired, labeling with pictures and words allow children of all ages to participate in putting things back in order.
Picking up throughout the day. Cleaning up toys periodically throughout the day is far more effective than waiting until everyone is out of the way at the end of the night. Make it a timed game for the competitive bunch. Choose the time before naps to pick up items throughout the house that are out of place. Simply picking up as you move around the house will make a huge difference in your final pick up before you lay down for the night.
I hope these quick tips give you confidence in tackling the toy chaos in your home. Just remember, it really starts with you. Our children look to us to be the example of how they should keep things in our home. Take one tip at a time and I promise you will begin to see a difference.
I briefly discuss these tips and other helpful ways to keep your home organized with kids in my latest interview with ATL&Co., click below to check it out.
If you are in the Atlanta area and in need of a pro to help you whip your home into shape, I’d love to talk to you. I offer free discovery calls to all potential clients. Please feel free to set up your complimentary call today!
