Pantries are great for organizing ingredients, but they’re only as useful as you are organized. The good news is, organization is pretty simple, as long as your pantry shelves are in order. Oh, you’re looking for inspiration for pantry shelves?
42 Pantry Shelves For Storage Ideas
You’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re going to take a look at 42 pantry shelves for storage ideas. See which of the following images fits your pantry!
Corner Shelves
Credit to agv_my_lifestyle
Perhaps the simplest way to maximize storage space in pantries is to utilize corners. It can be difficult, especially if you have large upper cabinets that take a ton of space. Of course, you can have open-concept shelves, such as the ones in this image, that keep all your kitchen ingredients in view. Bonus points if you have integrated light strips like this designer does!
Drawer Shelf
Credit to thewrightkitchen
Open-concept shelves aren’t for you? No problem—perhaps drawers are more to your liking! This cabinet comes with pull-out drawers of varying heights, allowing you to store small, medium, and large jars, as well as a few kitchen appliances. At the very top is a single shelf that’s kept organized with the help of a few wire baskets.
Different Wall Patterns
Credit to housinginfo
When designing pantry shelves, you don’t have to stick to a single wall tone. Be like this person and use different wallpaper for different shelves. The bottom shelves have a wooden tone, while the middle shelf has fancy marble. The walls behind the top shelves are left bare. It’s also nice to have textured glass to keep your pantry semi-visible while standing in the kitchen.
Behind-the-Door Shelves
Credit to touchwoodkb
Any flat surface, both vertical and horizontal, is real estate for storage possibilities. This includes the surface behind the pantry door. This homeowner anchored a wooden shelf with multiple racks to keep a handful of jarred and bottled ingredients safe. The heart of the pantry is the multi-tiered shelves with LED strips.
Large Bottom Shelves
Credit to stonehamkitchens
Pantry shelves don’t have to be uniform in height. In fact, it might be a good idea to have varying clearance levels between shelves, just in case you want to store larger items. This person allocated the greatest vertical clearance to the bottommost shelf, thereby allowing them to store large bags and kitchen appliances. If you have trouble bending over, perhaps your middle pantry shelf should be the tallest.
Angled Corner
Credit to inspiredclosetsphila
The main problem with corners is that they aren’t always the best platform for appliances like microwaves or espresso machines. You could keep the bottom of the appliance hanging over the edge, but that’s just trouble waiting to happen. Instead, do what this homeowner did and widen the corner of the counter. The wider platform is also true for the multiple shelves found in the corner.
Individual Cubbies
Credit to agv_my_lifestyle
Again, your shelves are only as organized as you are. And if you have trouble designating different zones for different ingredients, here’s something you can try. These shelves are separated by vertical partitions, creating areas for specific ingredient types. Wicker baskets, jars, and dispensers can further help you maintain organization in your pantry shelf.
Curtains
Credit to alderwoodhousedesign
If open-concept or closed shelves aren’t your cup of tea, maybe this will tickle your fancy. Here, the bottom shelves are protected not by glass panels or doors but rather, a single curtain. The curtain easily slides left and right to give access to various appliances. Pulling the curtains off and throwing them in the washer is simpler than wiping down cabinet doors.
Floating Shelves
Credit to artichoke_ltd
Installing new shelves in a pantry can be incredibly expensive, especially since every pantry is unique and may require custom-made shelving. You can reduce costs by purchasing floating shelves and brackets from your local home improvement or furniture store. Experiment with different floating shelf and bracket colors to see which will make your pantry pop.
Freestanding
Credit to pamela.j.prince
Maybe manually anchoring floating shelves in the pantry isn’t your forte. In this case, your best option might be to get freestanding shelves for your pantry. This homeowner found stainless-steel shelves with customizable rack heights. While searching for freestanding shelves, pay close attention to their maximum weight capacities. The last thing you want is hearing a loud crash in the middle of the night!
Brick Backdrop
Credit to for.the.love.of.reno
The wall behind your shelves can be just as important as the shelves, at least from an aesthetics point-of-view. Earlier, we saw a homeowner use wallpaper to give their pantry shelves a bit of character, and here, we see the complete opposite. Nothing is used here to mask the beautiful brick backdrop of these pantry shelves. Perhaps a bit of sealant to protect the bricks, but that’s about it!
Tiny Shelves for a Tiny Pantry
Credit to ninaluxury____
Even if you don’t have a lot of room to play with in your pantry, that doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful shelves! This person designed a shelf system inside a tiny compartment in the wall of their kitchen. Swinging the door open reveals secondary shelves behind the door. These shelves were made with high-quality steel for maximum durability and a beautiful finish.
Three Walls
Credit to ignaciotrimco
All pantries deserve love, regardless of size. This pantry is nearly as small as they come, but the shelves make it just as functional as any other. The shelves extend from the left wall to the right, thanks to making two tight turns in the farthest corners. These U-style shelves are great for maximizing storage space when you have limited floor space.
Brightness All Around
Credit to littlehouseinlondon
Lights are a homeowner’s best friend. Anywhere in the room, from bathrooms to bedrooms and even pantries, benefit from brightness. This pantry comes with two LED strips that illuminate every corner, leaving no square inch of each shelf in complete darkness. Your built-in pantry or scullery could become as beautifully alit as this freestanding version!
Galley-Like
Credit to brittanyschmitt
Here’s another example of U-shaped pantry shelves. The highlight of this system is the customizable shelf height. This person has the freedom to increase the height of the bottom-most shelf to allow for larger appliances. Also, an outlet beneath a shelf rack can help you keep major appliances out of the kitchen!
Wire Racks
Credit to carolinanco
We get it—shelves and cabinets can be extremely expensive. The cost of materials alone can cost a pretty penny, but labor costs will push it over the edge! You can forego the headache (and wallet-ache) by installing wire racks in your pantry! It’s a cost-efficient DIY project that requires minimal handy skills and tools! If you have a power drill, you’re halfway there!
Shelf Guards
Credit to distinctively.home
No matter how careful you are in your pantry, something is bound to fall off the shelf sooner or later. You can make sure that time is later by getting shelf guards. These inexpensive pieces of shelf hardware are great for keeping larger items—e.g., appliances or jars—from tipping over and falling to the floor. Yours don’t have to be as fancy as these brass guards that contrast against the dark shelves.
4 Pull-Outs
Credit to emilyhancockrealtor
Pull-out shelves are great in kitchens that don’t have dedicated pantries. But what’s better than a single pull-out shelf? How about four of them? This homeowner installed four pull-outs on both sides of their fridge, creating a ton of storage possibilities with minimal floor space. Customizing the heights of the shelves may be impossible, so make sure you’re happy with their heights!
Fixed and Pull-Out Shelves
Credit to time4organizing
If you’re on the fence regarding whether to get fixed shelves or pull-out shelves, why not get both? This homeowner had both shelving systems installed—fixed on top and pull-outs on the bottom. That way, they can enjoy the best of both worlds! Fixed shelves are simple, cost-effective, and maximize vertical space. Pull-outs, on the other hand, provide better accessibility and simply look better.
Can Dispenser
Credit to pawpawridge
Do you find yourself experimenting with canned foods on occasion? Or perhaps you like to hoard a ton of canned food in preparation for the end of times? Whatever the case may be, perhaps your pantry could benefit from a gravity feeder pantry—the same type of can storage found in modern fridges. Just a heads up: they’re not designed for glass jars!
Baskets for Bulk Shoppers
Credit to sorted_30a
Bulk shopping is a great way to reduce costs while also keeping your family fed. The problem is finding the space to keep all your purchases from cluttering your pantry! The simple solution is to get multiple baskets. That way, you can create zones in your pantry for different ingredient types. For example, one basket is used for canned goods, while another is reserved for grains, and so on.
Curved Corner Shelves
Credit to organizer.ng
Curves in any context are always an eye-pleaser. When it comes to pantry shelves, having curved edges will give it that extra pop to make your guests jealous. Here, we see what would normally be considered an ordinary corner shelf, but the slight curve really makes this system grab your attention.
Dealing with Angled Ceilings
Credit to ourfreelandhome
If you’re like many homeowners who don’t know what to do with angled ceilings, here’s a suggestion: turn that tiny space into a pantry! As you can see from this image, not even an angled ceiling is an issue when you have shelves of varying widths. The closer you get to the ceiling, the narrower the shelves, but at least you’ll have more storage space!
Utilizing Slats
Credit to organize_withali
What you see on the right wall is an unconventional pantry shelf. If you pay close attention, you’ll find partitions for the cutting boards. These partitions further divide individual cubbies and allow tall items to stand. On the left wall, you’ll find slats with hanging shelves and containers. It just goes to show that wherever there’s a flat vertical surface, shelving is possible.
Lazy Susans
Credit to ehiporganizing
Talking about unconventional shelves, we have this work of art. The left and right shelves are there for larger items, while the spinning lazy Susans keep jars and cans from becoming a mess. A few rubber pads would help create friction, so anything on the spinning tables won’t go flying off as easily.
Modern Butler’s Pantry With Open Shelving
A luxury butler’s pantry in a contemporary home features sleek open shelves above crisp white cabinets. Marble herringbone backsplash and natural wood flooring set a fresh mood for kitchen storage. Every item stays visible and easy to reach, which streamlines your daily meal prep and adds a decorative touch at the same time.
Pull-Out Pantry Shelves For Maximum Storage
A built-in pull-out pantry reveals generous storage for cans, spices, and everyday staples. Tall cabinet doors conceal three deep shelves, so even smaller kitchens can offer ample room for groceries. The design turns every inch of available space into a practical and organized solution for busy households.
Wooden Floating Shelves for a Modern Look
Open wooden shelves set the stage for a modern pantry style. With sturdy shelves lined with matching baskets and clear canisters, everything stands in plain view, making it easy to find what you need at a glance. Natural wood tones warm up the space and pair well with woven baskets.
Under-Shelf Baskets for Extra Space
Wire baskets mounted below the shelves create more storage for lighter items and small packages. This clever setup fits into a standard cabinet and doubles the usable space without making it feel cluttered. Tall containers and bottles line the upper shelf, while the baskets hold smaller pantry essentials. Simple details like these can turn a basic cabinet into a flexible storage zone.
Slide-Out Shelves for Deep Pantries
Pull-out shelves make it easy to access items at the back of a deep pantry. Rows of canned goods, condiments, and jars fill every inch without getting lost in dark corners. The sliding design eliminates the struggle of reaching into awkward spaces. This pantry feels efficient and organized from top to bottom.
Shoe Organizer as Pocket Shelf
An over-the-door pocket organizer offers a smart solution for small items and snacks. The pockets keep loose packets and produce off the main shelves, and the see-through design helps you spot what’s running low. This setup transforms a closet door into bonus pantry storage, and it works for any budget.
Rolling Cart Shelf for Mobile Storage
A three-tier rolling cart stores pantry basics and rolls wherever it’s needed. The cart slots perfectly under a countertop or beside existing shelves, which makes it ideal for renters and small kitchens. Grouping similar items together helps keep everything in order. If you like flexibility, this cart keeps pantry staples within reach at all times.
Pull-Out Basket Shelves
Wire baskets and woven bins slide out for quick access to onions, potatoes, and boxed goods. Different bin sizes suit a range of items, and everything stays sorted and visible. The combination of black metal and natural wicker creates a modern farmhouse vibe. You get easy access without sacrificing style or function.
Narrow Pull-Out Shelves for Small Items
A narrow cabinet with pull-out racks handles spices, teas, and small containers. This style keeps ingredients sorted in separate sections, making it simple to grab just what you need for any recipe. Every bit of space serves a purpose here. Do you have trouble organizing tiny jars? This solution keeps them upright and easy to spot.
Lighting-Integrated Shelves
Shelves with integrated lighting highlight every jar and basket in this walk-in pantry. The clean lines and natural wood give the space a calm, contemporary feel. Built-in LED strips make it easy to see all the labels, so nothing hides in the shadows. Even at night, this pantry remains bright and welcoming.
Lazy Susan Turntables on Shelves
Corner shelves feature large Lazy Susans, which make oils, sauces, and jars easy to reach. Items spin around with a gentle push, so you never lose track of what’s in the back. This setup works especially well for awkward corners that often go unused. Every shelf holds more and stays organized.
Glassware and Mug Display Pantry Shelf
Open shelves above the counter provide space for mugs, glasses, and small baskets. A rod with hooks displays cups within easy reach, while the top shelves showcase glassware and decorative pieces. This pantry corner blends practical storage with a sense of style, perfect for a morning coffee station or casual entertaining. Would a display like this work in your kitchen?
Farmhouse Ladder Shelf with Baskets
A freestanding ladder shelf introduces farmhouse character to the pantry. Baskets and jars line the rungs, while folded linens rest in larger bins. A marble countertop sits below open shelving for canisters and more baskets. Sunlight, greenery, and simple accessories create a relaxed corner.
Decorative Back Panel Shelves
White shelves with beadboard backing create visual depth and texture. Woven baskets, pottery, and glass jars mix with colorful plates for a playful look. The open shelves help showcase favorite kitchen finds while keeping essentials handy. Accents in blue and yellow pop against the white cabinetry. This setup makes every inch feel custom.
Custom Corner Carousel Shelves
A clever corner unit uses spinning carousels to organize sauces, oils, and spreads. Circular trays hold jars at different heights, so everything is visible. No more reaching into deep corners for hidden bottles. This solution takes advantage of space that usually goes to waste.
Corner Pantry Shelves for Awkward Spaces
Curved shelves line the corner and turn an awkward space into useful storage. Glass jars and spice containers stay visible and organized on the upper shelves. Baskets on the bottom hold snacks or small packages. Every corner serves a purpose in a thoughtfully arranged pantry.
Adjustable Wire Shelving for Flexible Storage
Chrome wire shelves adapt to changing pantry needs. Tall bottles, canned goods, and cereal boxes fit together without wasted space. Everything remains easy to reach and simple to rearrange when the grocery haul changes. The open design keeps the pantry feeling light and organized.
