Pantry Can Organization

After many years living in our last home we did a pantry refresh and I don’t know what took us so long; we loved the results! Changing the wire shelving to solid wood and being more thoughtful in organizing and storing products in a more functional way made a huge impact and still makes me smile every time I opened the pantry. One of the biggest upgrades was my pantry can organization system because I feel a well stocked pantry means having a well stocked carton and can supply.

When we built and moved into our new home, an organized pantry was at the top of my priority list. Being able to easily see what I have and what needs to be restocked makes grocery shopping and cooking go so much more smoothly.

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Canned goods are pantry staples that can be used for so many different recipes. Being well stocked can help you easily prepare simple meals at a moment’s notice. However, they also come in different sizes and will take up space in your pantry pretty quickly. Keeping them organized not only saves space and money (as you’ll be able to easily see and utilize what you have), it will also cut down on food waste. Additionally you’ll get the added bonus of your pantry being visually pleasing! Anyone else get a thrill out of that? Just me?

For all these reasons, I’m sharing a round up of ideas on how to organize canned goods in your pantry. First some general storage solutions:

• Organize your canned goods by expiration date, making sure the ones expiring first are closest to the front to be grabbed and used. When you buy a new can, place it furthest back.
• Consider which items you use the most and make those most accessible. Maybe black beans and diced tomatoes are used multiple times a week; you’ll want to make it so those are the most convenient to access.
• Declutter. Have you been hanging onto a can of pumpkin that you know you’ll never open? Donate it and free up the space for canned goods you will utilize.
• Categorize. So many items come in cans, it’s nice to take stock on which ones you purchase and organize them categorically. Soups, vegetables, beans, sauces, etc.

I combed through all these pantry can organizers and learned a lot about things to consider before picking a route to go. If you’re looking to reorganize your pantry definitely think about the following:

• Measure and inventory before buying organizers. Before purchasing any pantry organizers, take note of the types and sizes of canned goods you actually buy most often, as well as the depth and height of your pantry shelves. Not all organizers work well for oversized cans or shallow shelves, so choosing solutions that fit your space will make your system much more functional and will prevent you from having to deal with returns.
• Be mindful of weight when storing canned goods. Cans add up quickly and can be heavy, so it’s best to store them on lower shelves or in floor-based organizers when possible. This helps prevent shelves from bowing over time and makes lifting and restocking safer and easier.
• Create pantry “zones” for better flow. Dividing your pantry into zones—such as weekly staples, backup stock, and specialty items—helps keep everyday essentials front and center while preventing overbuying. This system makes cooking faster and grocery shopping more efficient.
• Use labels to maintain order. Labels are especially helpful when cans are stored sideways or inside bins. They make it easier for everyone in the household to put items back where they belong and keep your pantry organized long-term.
• Adopt a simple weekly maintenance habit. A quick 5-minute reset when unloading groceries can go a long way. Rotate older cans forward, place new purchases in the back, discard dented or expired items, and take note of what needs restocking.
• Organized cans help reduce food waste. When canned goods are easy to see and access, they actually get used. A clear system helps prevent forgotten items from expiring and cuts down on unnecessary duplicate purchases.

10 Pantry Can Organization Ideas

Simple Wire Can Organizer Rack

Ease to assemble, this metal storage rack holds up to 36 cans depending on the size. This simple, streamlined solution to canned good organization is stackable, sturdy, and visually pleasing. You can place this on a pantry shelf or stack them together from the floor up.

Non-Skid, 3 Tier Can Organizer

If budget is a top priority, you can’t go wrong with this tiered organizer for your pantry shelves. It raises cans up in a stadium seating type manner, making it easier to see what you have and helps save space. It’s durable and has a non-slip surface to place your cans on. It also works well for spices! If you want a more finished look, you might consider this expandable wooden tier organizer.

Shelf-Reliance Large Organizer

If you have many cans to organize, you will want to consider this option for its sturdiness, size and performance. It is adjustable for different can sizes and the track that helps you easily add cans to the back of the supple works smoothly. This way your cans will stay in the correct order for the first to expire to be used first! Available in 20, 40, and 60 can storage options.

Non-Skid Lazy Susan

This 12″ lazy Susan is sturdy, rotates smoothly, and provides a versatile option for pantry can organization. It’s simple and affordable, providing a great option for often used canned goods, especially if you’re like me and have a few random canned goods that are only sparsely used. You can tuck this lazy Susan a little further back and keep the random can of sweet potato puree and Navy beans at the ready and seen without needing a whole stack of the item to place behind it. It’s easy to assemble and maximizes your storage.

Plastic Organizer Bin for Cans

For a real space saver that can fit more cans than you realize, you’re going to want to give this organizational item a chance! The size is minimal for the organizational performance it provides. It’s clear, sturdy, fits a lot of cans, and solves a lot of problems for it’s reasonable price. These are a great option if you have a lot of one type of canned good, like all your tomato soup in one, all your diced tomatoes in another; very visually pleasing.

Over the Door Pantry Rack

If you have a door to your pantry, you will love all the extra storage space you’ll get by adding this over the door pantry rack. Providing six baskets of extra storage space, you free up cupboard space with this easy to assemble solution. It has protection so the over the door hooks don’t scratch your door and can be used for canned goods, spices, and so much more.

Metal Baskets with Labels

Sturdy and streamlines, these wire baskets might be the perfect option for your pantry, especially when you add label to each basket. They come in a great size, fitting six to twelve cans depending on size. They create a clean and cohesive look and hold up well over repeated use. The metal cage is easy to keep clean and functional.

White Sterilite Baskets

Best for those that want a clean look and have some items tucked away, these solidly built baskets provide ample storage at a great value. The holes allow for airflow but the solid appearance creates a very clean and organized look, especially when you add a label. This six pack of baskets would be a great option for storing away canned goods of the same type that you use often and have a lot of of. For example, a basket of all tomato sauces, or diced tomatoes, or black beans.

Kitchen Cabinet Organizer

If your pantry for storing canned goods is in kitchen cabinets, check out this unique storage option! This easy to assemble pantry organizer will maximize space in your cabinet by creating raised storage all around the perimeter of your cabinet shelf. It holds a nice amount of cans that are easily displayed. It is sturdy and functional, helping you make the most out of the space you have available.

Canned Good Cart

Have a little corner that could be put to good use? Consider a rolling, tiered cart! You will gain four sturdy shelves of food storage. It’s easy to assemble and has a simple, streamlined appearance. It’s easy to roll from room to room, then tuck away in a corner or a closet.

If you have storage ideas for pantry items and canned goods, please share it in the comments so we can all rock it in kitchen organization with our pantry organizers, helping to reduce food waste and make our spaces pretty to look at and work in.