Pantry Shelving

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A pantry is such a wonderful thing to have. The cupboards fill up so fast, and there is never any room on the counters, so having a pantry is an absolute necessity in many households. And sometimes, some extra shelves are needed. For your shelving needs we give you food pantry shelves. Now you have the space to store just about anything.

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Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.

3 Recommendations and 141 Ideas

Updated 08/03/2023

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Modular Adjustable Food Storage Shelves

Martha Stewart

Best for: Versatile storage

What we like: Multiple finish options

Not great for: Storing items that need support

This tall double-column food storage rack keeps your pantry neat and organized with fourteen evenly spaced shelves, four large center shelves, and three mesh bins for storing fresh ingredients. The adjustable shelving has a 50 lb weight capacity.

$1182 ~~$2250~~

Designer Advice:

Modular storage for food pantries makes an easy and convenient way to keep your space organized and clean. Having the ability to adjust the height of the shelves allows for customizing each unit for different storage solutions. Wire baskets are the perfect storage for fresh foods you don’t want to get damaged or bruised, like potatoes, fruits, and veggies.

What Users Say:

Great quality and very sleek looking. Easy to assemble and plenty of storage.

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Adjustable Wire Pantry Shelving

ClosetMaid

Best for: minimalistic storage

What we like: Adjustable height

Not great for: Storing heavy or thin items

This adjustable wire food pantry shelving unit has three wall-mounted braces that secure to the wall vertically. The four horizontally-ran heavy-duty closed mesh shelves have bars running the length that prevent items from falling over.

$159.77 ~~$176.94~~

Designer Advice:

Metal wire racks are a great versatile style option for food pantry shelves due to the adjustable heights, the open racks with wire grids that provide stability for items stored on the shelves, and the security of wall-mounted braces. But while this style of food pantry shelving is useful, it doesn’t have the best aesthetical value.

What Users Say:

Sturdy construction and provides ample storage in my pantry coat closet turned pantry.

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Rollable Wire Kitchen Pantry Shelving

Wayfair Basics®

Best for: Movable food pantry shelves

What we like: Slim understated look

Not great for: Items that frequently fall over

This five-shelf minimalistic open-frame wire shelving rack in a shiny silver finish has four rolling casters that make for easy moving. Each shelf is adjustable for the custom storage of various items, while the rectangular utilitarian shape fits into any kitchen.

Designer Advice:

Adjustable shelving is useful in any food pantry shelf, as you want the versatility to accommodate different shopping trends, like holidays or bulk buying. The five wire racks with open sides and back with thin cylindrical corner posts form a modern rectangular silhouette. And if you want a stationary rack rather than a rollable one, you can remove the wheels.

What Users Say:

Easy to build and to adjust. Very sturdy. I organized my pantry and stored all my heavy kitchen accessories.

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Pantry Shelving

Buying Guide

What is the best shelving for a pantry?

When you’re selecting food pantry shelves, you need to consider what you are going to put in your pantry. Think of the types of canisters, cans, boxes, and bowls that you typically put in your pantry. Then, you’ll need to subdivide the amount of height you have in your pantry by shelves and shelf sections that are at least as tall - preferably, with a 5” or so buffer - as the items you will need to store.

Ideally, you’ll be able to have a mix of different types of shelving, so, if in the future you need to store something tall or bulky, you’ll be able to. Finally, consider adding in built-in drawers or vertical dividers in yourselves to store pot lids, storage container lids, or other smaller items. It’ll reduce visual clutter and help you keep things well organized.

How do I organize my food pantry?

Here are some practical tips to organize your food pantry shelves:

Start by running an inventory of all the products and foods you have or the ones you’re planning on stocking on a regular basis: that way you’ll know how much room or how many shelves you can allow for each category
Keep the ones that you use almost every day at easy reach, reserving the highest or lowest shelves for food that you only pick up occasionally
Use the right containers for your inventory. For an aesthetically pleasing result, consider buying matching canisters and sets
Psst. See-through models will make it easier to keep track of the items you use more often

What is the best depth for pantry shelves?

The best depth for food pantry shelves is between 16” - 20” deep. If your pantry is exceptionally small, you can opt for just one food pantry shelf. These are typically 4” - 5” deep and are useful for storing essential items such as spices, sugar, tea, and coffee.

If you have too deep shelves, you may need to frequently reorganize and restack them to avoid letting items become out of date. Sticking to the perfect depth of around 16 - 20” allows for easy visibility of your kitchen inventory and enables easy storage.

Alternatively, invest in several clear plastic Lazy Susan trays or plastic bins to store your items to prevent your deep pantry shelves from becoming cluttered.