17 of Our Best Kitchen and Pantry Storage Ideas for Busy Families

Tuck Away Appliances

A cabinet with a hinged door means easy access to small appliances, without having them on full display. And since they're not where children can reach them, you don't have to worry about any accidents.

Create a Designated Space

Organize your little one's belongings in a special drawer designated just for him or her—we're talking lunch totes, school supplies, sports bottles, or anything you might need to grab on your way out the door.

Leave a Note

With family members always on the go, coordinating schedules can be a challenge. Create an erasable board where you can list sports practice schedules, important days, chores, or grocery lists.

Keep the Pantry Neat

An organized pantry is a must. Sort your groceries and store them in food-safe containers for easy access later. Adding pullout drawers to your pantry also creates more function, so you or your kids won't have to go rummaging through shelves.

Store Your Supplies

Pullout spice cabinets can be repurposed to store all of your cleaning supplies. The easy access will help you get to spills and messes more quickly.

Lift Items Out of Reach

For those items or ingredients that you don't want the kids to get into, put them out of reach with high shelves. And if your pantry doesn't feature the type of shelving you had in mind, create your own.

Store Pans Properly

Stack pans vertically for simple storage—plus, they're easy to grab.

Shop Now: CAXXA Heavy Duty Pan Rack, $22.97, amazon.com.

Leave No Space Unused

Make use of unexpected spaces. A tilt-down tray for your sink can be an extra storage space for sponges, brushes, and other odds and ends that would otherwise clutter your countertops.

Divide and Conquer

Tame your food storage by using drawer dividers. Now you can easily find the container you need—and it's matching lid!

Select Storage Bowls

Melamine bowls in pastel hues are a great way to store items in your refrigerator. They're perfect for families with small kids since you won't have to worry about them breaking if dropped.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Eight-Piece Pastel Melamine Bowl Set, $34.99, macys.com.

Label Everything

Create a pantry where it's easy to access everyone's favorite foods and your essential mealtime ingredients. Our secret? Use clear labels so everyone knows where everything is.

Stack Clear Bins

Perfect for the refrigerator or pantry, clear stackable bins allow you to see what you're running low on so you can stock up next time you're at the store.

Shop Now: The Container Store Clear Stackable Plastic Storage Bins, from $3.49, containerstore.com.

Stow Plastic Bags

Stash plastic bags (or folded paper ones) in this simple and easy to make project. You'll never hunt down a reusable bag again.

Style Your Cookbooks

Worried about the little ones getting too close to your prized cookbooks? Elevate them while adding to your kitchen décor by displaying them on high-up shelves that are out of reach.

Hang a Storage System

Any parent knows that kids tend to spill things. Have eco-friendly towels ready to go with a two-in-one organizing system like this. The cutting board and racks allow for more counter space.

Encourage Healthy Snacking

For the foods that you want your kids to eat more of—fruits and vegetables galore—place them on full display and within reach. An array of better-for-you snacks arranged in decorative bowls encourages children to make their own selections.

Camouflage Storage

Cover up under-the-sink storage while adding to your kitchen's décor with this simple and effective DIY. Just be sure to keep any cleaning supplies or potentially harmful items higher up and out of reach of young children.