How to Organize a Kitchen & Pantry

How to Organize a Kitchen & Pantry

Whether you’re drowning in canning jars, overwhelmed by half-used pantry staples, or just frustrated every time you open a kitchen drawer, friend, you are not alone. Learn how to organize a kitchen and pantry in a way that will be helpful, time saving and actually stay that way! 

Here on the homestead, we do a lot of things the old-fashioned way, but that doesn’t mean we don’t deal with modern chaos. And I’ll be honest, kitchen clutter is one of those things that sneaks up on me—especially during harvest season.

That’s why I was so thrilled to sit down recently with Dana K. White of A Slob Comes Clean, a woman who has helped thousands of families (including mine!) bring order back into their homes – with zero shame and zero perfectionism.

Dana’s simple, no-nonsense approach to decluttering and organizing totally changed the way I think about managing our pantry and kitchen. And today, I want to share the most practical parts of that conversation with you.

About Dana K. White

Dana is a decluttering pro, best-selling author, and podcast host of A Slob Comes Clean Podcast who’s been transforming homes and mindsets with her cleaning and organizing strategies for over a decade.

Through her books like Decluttering at the Speed of Life and Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House, Dana shares her personal “deslobification” journey with humor, honesty, and a no-judgment approach.

Her practical “No Mess Decluttering Method” has helped countless people, especially those feeling overwhelmed by mess. After following her method, many find peace and progress in their homes.

Whether you’re tackling a cluttered pantry or rethinking your entire household, Dana’s relatable insights are sure to inspire.

Why Kitchen Clutter Feels So Overwhelming

For those of us trying to cook from scratch, preserve the harvest, and feed a growing family, the kitchen is one of the hardest-working spaces in the whole house. And let’s be honest, it can get real cluttered, real fast.

A big part of the overwhelm is emotional. We hold on to things because we spent money on them, or because we might use them someday. We feel guilty throwing away food, even if no one in the house will eat it.

But here’s the truth Dana reminded me of:

“I can’t have as much stuff and still keep it under control. That’s just my reality—and it’s okay.”

Instead of debating with yourself over every item, Dana teaches you to make quick, confident decisions that lead to real progress.

Dana’s 5-Step Decluttering Method (No Perfection Required!)

You don’t have to pull everything out of your pantry or spend your entire weekend cleaning. In fact, Dana says that the “mess-making” method is exactly why so many of us avoid decluttering in the first place.

Here’s the step-by-step system she recommends:

1. Trash

Start with the easy wins: anything expired, moldy, stale, or clearly unusable. Don’t overthink it. Get it out.

Homesteading Hack: Canning jars of food no one’s touched in 2+ years? That might be trash, too, especially if you need the jars for this year’s harvest.

2. Easy Stuff

This is anything you already know where it belongs. It’s the bag of oats that goes in the baking drawer, or the canning lids that go with your vacuum sealer. No drama, just put them where they belong.

3. Obvious Donations

Next, ask: “What in here could I donate without hesitation?” These are foods you know your family won’t eat, but someone else could use.

Dana’s encouragement: Don’t force it. If it brings up feelings, skip it for now. You’re looking for the no-brainer stuff.

4. Ask These 2 Game-Changing Questions

Now we get into the meat of Dana’s method, and these two questions are pure gold.

If I needed this item, where would I look for it first?

That’s where it goes. Not the “right” place or a Pinterest-perfect space. The place your family instinctively looks for that item.

Example: Fingernail clippers may belong in the bathroom, but if you always look in the kitchen junk drawer? That’s where they should live.

If I needed this, would I even remember I had it?

If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go. Because let’s be honest, if you’d never go looking for it, you’re going to buy another one anyway. Keeping it is just wasting space.

Dana puts it this way:

“I’m paying $7 for my space to be functional between now and the unlikely day I might re-buy it.”

5. Apply the Container Concept

This is Dana’s signature tool, and it’s so freeing. Your drawer, cabinet, or pantry shelf is a container. It defines how much you can keep. You fill it with your favorite and most-used items first. When it’s full, anything left over is excess and can go.

This removes guilt, shame, and perfectionism. You’re not saying something isn’t valuable. You’re simply saying, “This is all the space I have. And I’m going to respect it.”

Consolidating: The Secret Decluttering Weapon

One bonus tip Dana shared that really clicked for me was consolidating. Without pulling everything out, just start grouping like items together.

You’ll quickly realize you don’t need five partial boxes of pasta or that you somehow have 23 jars of hominy (true story from Dana!). And often, just seeing things grouped together gives you clarity on what can go.

I also like to repackage certain items into a larger bulk bin (like bulk bags of dry beans into a large food-safe drum as pictured above).

Use Your Least Favorite Rule

If you still have too much, use Dana’s “Least Favorite” trick. Choose your least favorite of a category (mugs, beans, canning tools) and let those go.

You’re not saying it isn’t good. You’re just saying you love other things more, and that’s okay.

A Tidy Kitchen = Less Stress for Everyone

Dana shared one of the biggest changes she’s seen in her family since simplifying their kitchen: fewer dishes, less overwhelm, and more ease when cooking meals.

Instead of owning more to make life easier, they pared down. Now dinner cleanup is quick, the kids can easily cook when they’re home from college, and the kitchen works the way it’s supposed to.

Final Thoughts: Organize for Real Life (Not Instagram)

If you’ve ever felt like decluttering was too overwhelming or like you needed therapy to deal with the emotions behind the stuff, Dana’s system is the answer.

Start small. Make progress without making a mess. Trust yourself to create a home that works for your family, not what you’ve seen online.

And most of all, remember, being organized just means you can find what you need when you need it.

Where to Find Dana

If you enjoyed this post and interview and want to learn more, check out Dana’s books, Decluttering at the Speed of Life, or Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House.

You can also find Dana on her website, A Slob Comes Clean. Then, be sure to follow her on YouTube @DanaKWhite, on Facebook @ASlobComesClean, or on Instagram @aslobcomesclean for all her latest cleaning, organizing and decluttering tips.

Let’s take back our kitchens – one shelf at a time!

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