How to take an underused, overstuffed coat closet, and turn it into a whole pantry.
Ahhh, finally the weather is warming up, Spring feels like it's just around the corner, Valentine's Day is this week, and my thoughts turn to...
...Organizing.
Does it say something about me that I'd rather have a new closet system than roses or chocolates from my honey? OK, maybe he could throw in a few chocolates to truly make it the perfect gift.
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How to Make a Pantry from a Coat Closet
This pantry organizing project is one that I started quite some time ago, and finally finished this week. It's actually more of a pantry creation project, really. With storage in our tiny kitchen pretty much maxed out, I decided we needed a pantry more than a cluttered coat closet that sat useless most of the time.
Fortunately the coat closet is just outside the kitchen, probably less of a walk than most people have inside their whole kitchens. (Did I mention ours is tiny?) Hopefully my adventure in turning a cluttered castoff closet into a pantry will inspire you to tackle one of your projects that you've been putting off.
The hardest part of this project was cleaning out the closet first. Have you ever noticed that when you start pulling stuff out of a closet, it seems to multiply right there in your hands? I had no idea we had so much junk in that closet! And the irony is we weren't even using most of it. So out it went, and we were left with a nice empty closet.
To save money, we decided to use the one shelf that already existed above the clothing rod. Then we simply took down the rod and put up Closetmaid shelving.
There are a million different closet shelving systems out there, so I decided just to go with the simplest to install. I wanted this project done in a weekend. We simply hung the vertical braces, slotted in the shelf brackets, clicked on the shelves, and boom. Done. Here it is in a bit more detail...
Steps to hanging Closetmaid Shelves:
ClosetMaid shelving is super easy to work with. Here's how to get started.
- Decide where to put the vertical supports. We went with two in the middle, and one on each end, located on studs. We knew that we'd be storing some heavy cans of food and jugs of liquid, and we didn't want the shelves bowing under the heavy stuff at the edges.
- Mark your vertical lines. Make sure they're close to plumb (which is the term for the vertical equivalent of level). You can do this with a carpenter's lever that has a plumb bubble on one end, or simply tie a washer or a weight to a string and mark where the string hangs against the wall. Also mark the holes along the support braces where you'll put the screws.
- Drill pilot holes. (I recommend using the studs for support, but you can use drywall anchors instead if your studs aren't in the right places. If using anchors, don't drill pilot holes.)
- Screw on the vertical supports.
- Cut your shelves to the proper length. You'll need a hacksaw or bolt cutters for this job, or you can probably have the hardware store salesperson do it for you.
- Attach the shelf brackets to the vertical braces by inserting them into the slots and making sure they sit good and level.
- Slide the shelf onto the top of the brackets. There is a little hook on the back end of the bracket. Make sure the back edge of the shelf fits into that hook. Then just pull forward to click it into place.
- That's it! Now just stock your shelves.
Pantry Organizing Tips:
- Space shelves at different intervals, to accommodate different sized boxes and jars.
- Leave a larger amount of space between the floor and the bottom shelf, so you can put heavier, larger items on the floor.
- You don't need fancy (read: expensive) containers. I bought a few cases of canned vegetables and found that their cardboard case is the perfect size for corralling cans on the shelves.
- Keep a grocery list at hand, so when you take the last of something, you can add it right to the list.
Pantry Organizing Made Fun!
I wanted my pantry to be multi-functional, so I added a few special touches:
I put (re-positionable) chalkboard vinyl on the door panels so I could keep grocery lists.
I used some of my daughter's cute duck tape to create a little pouch for holding chalk near the chalkboards.
A command hook holds my apron, so when I grab supplies for cooking, I'll (hopefully) remember to grab the apron too. I can't tell you have many shirts I've ruined making spaghetti sauce!
I also hung a magnetic clipboard for all the loose odds and ends that seem to float constantly through my kitchen.
Finally, I couldn't stand the 40-year-old frayed pull-string light switch, so I upgraded it for free with some jute twine and a little mini-whisk I found in my junk drawer. Much cuter!
This was one of the easiest, quickest, and most functional DIY projects I've ever done. And now we use our closet/pantry every day.
Do you have a junk closet or at least a drawer somewhere that needs a little help? Tell me your story!
rachel621 says
My mind is turning towards organizing too! I have all this cute wallpaper that is just sitting in my craft room for the laundry closet. The whisk is so fitting and I love the tip about different spaces between shelves. We don't have that in our pantry and I wish we did.
Meredith says
Thanks Rachel, I can't wait to see what you do with the wallpaper!
Sandey says
LOVE the mini-whisk light pull! Congratulations on your fabulous new pantry!
Meredith says
Thank you Sandey!
jacquiegum says
So cool! And all the neat touches...the blackboards and chalk holder, and of course the mini-whisk for the light! Masterpiece:) I only wish I HAD a hall closet to convert!
Meredith says
Thanks Jacquie! It was a lot of fun adding those little touches. 🙂
Ken Dowell says
No that's a project that I have to admit I have never undertaken. Maybe when it gets to the point that I can't close the door.
Meredith says
Ha! Beware of falling bowling balls and baseball bats!
Avant-garde Coach says
Absolutely love it! Now I have something to show my husband and at the same time I will be truly a happy wife. Thanks for sharing your creative ideas.
Meredith says
Thanks! Nothing like a little organizing project to make for a happy wife, right?
lenie5860 says
Love the blackboard and the mini-whisk ideas - you are so clever, I never would have thought of that. You're right, it is so much cuter - and isn't it nice to have things where you can seem them?
Meredith says
Thanks Lenie! And it saves money, too, because I don't end up buying too much of something and having it go to waste in the back of a cupboard somewhere.
Sabrina Q. says
Great before and after picture! I like the way you hung stuff on the doors. They looked really neat and simple to do.
I did this some years ago before I redesigned my kitchen. But did a 1/2 pantry and 1/2 coat closet. I included the link if you want to see it.
Thanks for sharing your process. I will definitely be sharing with my Home Organizing clients.
Meredith says
Thanks Sabrina! That's a great idea, to keep part of it for coats and use the rest for a pantry.
Renée Smart says
Sabrina Q. Where's the link??
suzannebagheri2014 says
What a great idea! I wish I could do something else with our rather large coat closet - I had thought of making it a laundry room - but with all our coats/sports bags/backpacks it is impossible at this time. Yours looks great!
Meredith says
Thank you! I know what you mean, it's nice to have a large closet, but then it just ends up collecting so much stuff!
Erica says
Wow I love it! What a difference. I wish I had pantry space in my house, but alas, we are severely lacking closets, even for clothes!
Meredith says
I actually have the same problem, other than this one closet. You should see how small my master closet is!
Tim says
I really enjoyed this post Meredith and found myself smiling as I read it. I don't have a closet to organize but loved reading about this one. Your excitement oover this and many other DIY projects is contagious. The touches you added are also very cool including the whisk 🙂
Meredith says
Thanks Tim!
Donna Janke says
This looks very much like the pantry in the house we moved into this summer. It is very useful. I like the use of the cardboard case. I'll have to try that. I also like the chalkboard on the door. In our case, we screwed a couple of metal spice racks onto the inside of the door, because there was no other logical spot to hold our collection of spices.
Meredith says
That's a great idea! I'll have to keep an eye out for some of those spice racks.
Jason @ TheButlerJournal.com says
Wow. That looks great. Can you help me with mine? 🙂
Meredith says
Haha! That's funny! 🙂
William Rusho says
I like reading your blog. The items you put on here are things I want to do, or have done myself. One thing I might add. My kitchen had an existing pantry, but was not large enough, so I needed another. It had a mess so you could look into it and see what is there. Like you I turned an existing closet into a 2nd pantry. I used a router, and took out sections of the door and put the mess inside, this way it had the same appearance as the other pantry.
Meredith says
That's a great idea William!
Pamela@haartfelt says
I can't believe it! What a difference. I love the chalkboard. I'm always searching the kitchen drawers for a pen and paper to jot down needed items. I imagine one the trauma of doing the organizing subsidies, an organized space is easier to maintain than the Fibber Mc Gee closet space. ( not that yours looked like Fibber McGee, I was thinking of my closet space)
Meredith says
Yes, it's definitely traumatic when you're in the middle of the process, but so worth it at the end!
Beth Niebuhr says
What a great idea! Coat closets so often go unused and mine is no exception. I like the idea of anchoring cans in the bottom of a cardboard box and having a list right there to make note of things that need to be replaced.
Meredith says
Thanks Beth. I love having useful spaces, especially when it comes to cooking supplies.
Marquita Herald (@marquitaherald) says
This is my second attempt to leave a comment so hopefully this doesn't show up as a duplicate. Love the project! Living in a rental makes it next to impossible to let loose with the hammer and nails but you've inspired me and I have some ideas how I might be able to create a portable version. 🙂
Meredith says
Thanks for persevering with the comment! I bet you could create something similar with bakers shelves, or even crates stacked on their sides.
Laurie S Hurley says
As usual, you never cease to amaze me with your creativity. I would hire a closet designer or professional organizer! My brain just doesn't work the way yours does. I love the outcome - great pantry. I have a nice walk-in pantry that came with our house - one of my favorite places. I like to see everything lined up neat and organized.
Meredith says
That's even better - when you can buy a house with one already designed and implemented! 🙂
Erica says
I love your new pantry! I had a hall closet once that came with shelving in half of the closet. I thought that was great and I used that area for my office supplies. The do it yourself project we really need to work on is more space in the bedroom closets. You've inspired me to move it higher on the priority list!
Meredith says
I know what you mean, now I really want shelving in ALL my closets!
Brittany says
Great makeover! Love the chalkboard vinyl. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty - we hope to see you again next week 🙂
Meredith says
Thanks Brittany! I'll be there! 🙂
Natalie Yevoli says
What a great idea! It looks awesome -and so well lit! The whisk was a great touch!
Meredith says
Thanks Natalie! 🙂
andleeb says
Oops my comment disappeared(server not working) , I hope it will work this time.
This is truly amazing idea. You have mentioned(twice) about your kitchen but you have never seen mine, much , much more smaller than yours. But I have never thought to look out of my kitchen for storage purposes. This post have given me a lot of ideas. Thank you for great share.
andleeb says
This was 5th time, my comment went through... server was not responding but thankfully I copied after first loss.
Meredith says
So sorry about the commenting problems Andleeb! Thanks for persevering. You're right, "tiny" is quite a relative term, and I'm thankful to have the space I do have. It's very functional. But it's always good to think outside of the box! 🙂
Candice says
Wow...Great pantry. I love the apron. (Plus the organization tricks) Thank-you for linking up to Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned this to our board!
Meredith says
Thanks for visiting and pinning Candice!
Tammy says
Love it we took the door and made a full length spice rack getting ready to reorganize the closet so excited
Meredith says
That's a great use of space Tammy!
Monika says
Love your closet to pantry conversion. Great job! Could you please tell me where I can find the re-positionable chalkboard vinyl? Thanks much.
Meredith says
Thanks Monika! I got mine at Hobby Lobby, but I think you can find it at almost any craft store, and I even saw some at Home Depot recently.
Ermalee Ort says
I have a pantry in my kitchen, but the problem is that it is so deep much is wasted space. I mean verrrrrry deep. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have put in pull out like drawers, canned food racks etc. but still lots of space behind that.
Meredith says
Hi Ermalee, if you've already installed drawers, I'm not sure what else you can do. Maybe if I were you I'd use the back part of the space for long-term storage items like Christmas dishes or other things you need space for but only use rarely.
Mia says
Amazing transformation! I want to turn my hallway closet (house built in the late 70's and I have this french door style closet in the hallway that isn't being used) so I thought I might turn that into my pantry and make my kitchen look less cluttered! I can't wait to tackle this!
Meredith says
That sounds like a perfect solution! You'll love having more storage space!
Darnell says
We're renters and have a similar closet we'd like to turn into a pantry. Do you have any ideas on shelving we can put in that doesn't require putting holes in the walls? Maybe something we can build independently and slide in there?