How to organize your kitchen pantry

• With many of us cooking more often at home, our pantries have become a disorganized mess.
• Here are practical tips from Luis Ahuet, most recently chef de cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurant Meadowsweet, and Jamie Horde, founder of NYC-based professional organizing firm Horderly.

Whether you're cooking a three-course family meal or a simple dinner for one, you'll probably need to hit up your kitchen pantry for ingredients. But with many of us cooking more often at home, your pantry might be more disorganized than you'd like.

Having an organized pantry isn't just because you can find things more easily. It's also easier to take inventory of what you have once you can actually see everything and make sure your pantry doesn't get out of hand. "Oftentimes, we go shopping, put things away, and then completely forget about certain foods we've bought for weeks and even months. Periodically cleaning and organizing your stock will keep you from buying stuff you don't need." Frankly, it's also just cathartic to clean and organize things.

We spoke with Luis Ahuet, who's served on the lines at top New York City restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park, Aquavit, and, most recently, as chef de cuisine at Michelin Star restaurant Meadowsweet, and Jamie Horde, founder of NYC-based professional organizing firm Horderly, for practical tips on organizing a pantry that anyone can use at home.

Enlist the "prime real estate" rule

First and foremost, to make life easier for yourself and the rest of your household, incorporate what Horde calls the "prime real estate" rule.

"This is the simplest trick you can use to help keep your pantry from going awry," says Horde. "Try to keep items you use the most often at an easy-to-grab location that's not too high or too low. Also, group some of your favorite and most-used items in this area too, so you're not hunting around the entire pantry for a spice here or a spice there."

This rule also works great for kids too. "If you're cool with your little ones grabbing snacks on their own, I recommend incorporating a divided lazy Susan on the lower shelves, so they're at a reachable location for your kids," says Horde.

Transfer grains and rice from their original packaging to air-tight containers

When it comes to your grains and rice, it's a good idea to transfer them into a separate air-tight container. "Insects are attracted to sugars found in cereal and snacks, and starches like pasta, rice, and flour," explains Ahuet. "Boxes usually break after a while, leaving a mess behind. Also, bugs can find a way inside the original packaging, so it's best to move them into a more durable contain."

Use clear containers to group things together

When it comes to selecting your containers, skip opaque colors, and go for glass or clear plastic airtight ones instead. "For our clients, we recommend clear bins so they can easily see how much food they have left," says Horde.

Keep all your spices in one place

For smaller items, like spices, a double lazy Susan is a great way to display your collection while keeping everything in one easy-to-remember and easy-to-reach location. If you're short on counter space, a mounted spice rack on the wall or inside a cabinet will also do the trick.

Store produce in bins and baskets

Glass and plastic containers are great for spices, sauces, and grains, but when it comes to your fruits and vegetables, you're better off opting for an open basket or hyacinth bin. "It's important to give fruits and vegetables some air to breathe or else they can go bad faster," explains Horde.

Maximize your space, including your floors

For those of us that don't have the luxury of a huge pantry, it's important to use every inch of what you have wisely.

Make the most of your shelves by storing your canned goods on a can feeder. It will automatically dispense the cans you need while providing additional vertical space.

If your closet has a door, you can add a utility door rack for added storage opportunities. You can then add your containers of sauces, pasta, sugars, and even snacks.

There's also a lot of wasted space on the floors of your pantry, especially if your shelves don't start until 2-3 feet off the ground. Rather than losing out on more storage opportunities, Horde recommends placing extra-large bins on the floor for bigger, bulkier items. "We don't recommend putting any loose products on the floor, but this neat trick is a great way to create an extra makeshift shelf, so you can get more storage space," Horde explains.

Put labels on everything

If there's one thing that Horde and Ahuet unanimously agree on, it's the power of labels.

Invest in a good label maker and use it for everything from sauces to pasta, and even bins of produce. "When you transfer anything into a different container, make sure you add an easy-to-see label on the bottle or bin," says Ahuet. "Adding a date helps you keep track of what's been in there the longest and what should be used first. Also, be sure to put your newer products behind your older ones, so you minimize the risk of products expiring."

Maintain your hard work regularly

The worst thing you can do after spending time and money organizing your kitchen pantry is to let it fall apart again. "The best way to make sure this doesn't happen is to clean your pantry at least once a month," advises Ahuet. "Take inventory of everything you have, move things that are close to expiring to the front, and relabel any items that need updates."