Kitchen Pantry Update

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I recently converted a coat closet just off my home’s kitchen to a pantry, and I have been loving it! So, I’ve been adding more fun details to my new favorite space in my house. I added two more wood crates to give my space even more storage. I simply screwed the wood crates together with some wood screws and a screwdriver. I had to place one of my crates vertically so I could keep the existing wire shelf in the closet, but adding one crate vertically (instead of horizontally) left enough space for two of my cookbooks and some grocery store circulars, so it was a win-win!

I also added storage for measuring cups and other odds and ends in my pantry by painting a cute Chicken Wire Window Frame
that I picked up! I painted my new pantry organizer with Martha Stewart Acrylic Satin Paint in Wet Cement.

I painted and glued on an extra wooden decorative element in Martha Stewart Acrylic Satin Paint in Classroom Green to the frame. Instead of purchasing some “S” hooks to hang my measuring cups, I made my own from some paper clips that I had around the house. I hung my new pantry organizer with some Command Damage Free Picture and Frame Hanging Strips. My measuring cups and spoons are so much easier to find now!

I love my new pantry organizer! I no longer have to hunt through drawers to find my measuring cups and spoons! (Plus, I think the organizer looks adorable in my pantry!)

I also added some extra baskets to my pantry to store coffee K cups, paper napkins and paper cups and plates.

Remote Lighting Strips

My coat closet turned pantry didn’t have any lighting in it, so I installed two GE 17528 Wireless Remote Control LED Light Bars to provide some light! I simply hung the light bars with some Command Damage Free Picture and Frame Hanging Strips. (It’s not wise to use the permanent adhesive strips that come with the light bars — you won’t be able to easily remove the bars when you need to replace the batteries!)

The bars provide a lot of great light for my new pantry!

I love how the light bars came with a light switch that can remotely turn the lights on and off, just like regular hardwired lights! I placed the switch just outside the door to my new pantry.

More Lights for Pantry

There’s a wrinkle, though, with my newly installed pantry lights. My husband had previously installed the same lights in my daughter’s bedroom upstairs, and the switch for the pantry also turns my daughter’s closet’s lights on and off! The remote is that strong! So, I only use my pantry’s new ceiling lights when my daughter is not in her room. 

As a result, I installed 2 Stick N Click Strip Lights to use when my daughter is in her room. I installed the lights in a place where I can easily click them on and off. The Stick N Click Strip Lights work quite well!

I also mounted a stainless steel Grocery Bag Dispenser on the wall — I find it helpful to line our bathroom’s waste baskets with plastic grocery bags. With the grocery bag dispenser, I no longer have to hunt all over for plastic grocery bags. On the back wall I placed a Black Framed Cork Bulletin Board for keeping track of grocery and to-do lists.

In all, I LOVE my new pantry! If you would like a pantry like mine, below is a handy shopping list for the items I used in my coat closet turned pantry! 

Pantry Supplies List

Wood Crates
Chicken Wire Window Frame
Wicker or Seagrass Baskets
3/4″ Flat Head Phillips Deep Thread Wood Screws
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Command Damage Free Picture and Frame Hanging Strips
Deco Art Americana Chalky Finish Paint, 8-Ounce
Foam Brushes
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Assorted Wood Shapes
GE Wireless Remote Control LED Light Bars, 2 Pack
simplehuman Wall Mount Grocery Bag Dispenser, Stainless Steel
Martha Stewart Acrylic Satin Paint in Wet Cement

 

Have you created a DIY pantry? If so, I’d love to hear about it! Please share in the comments.

 

This project was shared at the The Creative Corner Link Up Party, The Pin Junkie Pin Party,  Creative Spark Link Party, Creativity Unleashed and the This is How We Roll Link Party