Sabrinas Organizing

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home Organization
  • Healthy Recipes
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Browse Gift Ideas
  • Donate Stuff
  • Recycling Events 2025
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home Organization
  • Healthy Recipes
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Browse Gift Ideas
  • Donate Stuff
  • Recycling Events 2025
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
×
Home » Home Organization » Kitchen » Pantry » 7 Ways to Transform a Hall Closet Into Pantry

7 Ways to Transform a Hall Closet Into Pantry

Last Modified: July 15, 2024 Sabrina Quairoli This blog uses cookies. It also has affiliate links. We earn sponsored content income.

Being creative in your home to maximize your space is the easiest and most cost-effective way to organize your home. I found this true when organizing my home before our kitchen remodel. To help you get inspired, I will share how we transformed half of our hall closet into a pantry. Here we go.

First, let me explain the layout of my home. My foyer and kitchen are next, and we have a large closet in the hall (5 feet by 4 feet). The entry to my kitchen is just to the left of the closet. So, since I needed a pantry (Affiliate Link) and didn't want to walk from the basement all the time, I decided to transform the hall closet into a pantry (Affiliate Link).

A while ago, I installed shelving (Affiliate Link) for gloves and other things, so instead of removing them, I decided to use them in my pantry (Affiliate Link) and add bins to the wall next to them. The shelving (Affiliate Link) wall unit goes from the bottom to above the top of the closet door, which gives me a boatload of space to store various narrow items.

Jump to:
  • 7 essential things to transform a foyer closet into a pantry
  • Tip 1: Use mason jars to unify the look of the pantry. 
  • Tip 2: Use large bins for snacks and other things you buy in bulk.
  • Tip 3: Have your emergency bin at the bottom of the pantry. 
  • Tip 4: Store extra herbs, spices, and cans on their sides in a shallow drawer to quickly view and grab when needed. 
  • Tip 5: Add an area for your most used cleaning items. 
  • Tip 6: Keep baking goods in one place. 
  • Tip 7: Make sure to label all the bins. 
  • The Transformation

7 essential things to transform a foyer closet into a pantry

Tip 1: Use mason jars to unify the look of the pantry. 

Since the side wall shelving (Affiliate Link) was narrow, I purchased mason jars (Affiliate Link) (in bulk) to hold various items like dried beans, quinoa, nuts, and dried fruit. The large mason jar (Affiliate Link) labels (Affiliate Link) made them straightforward to read quickly. Read more about how I labeled mason jars.

mason jar food storage

Image of Container 10-Piece by OXO Good Grips

Container 10-Piece by OXO Good Grips

Buy Now →
Image of Container by OXO Good Grips POP - Airtight Food Storage

Container by OXO Good Grips POP - Airtight Food Storage

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Tip 2: Use large bins for snacks and other things you buy in bulk.

We have snacks we buy in bulk, like nachos and pretzels. So, I purchased a large sealable bin to hold these items. We also buy rice in bulk, so we store that on top as well.

Image of Containers 10 pieces by VERONES Large Tall Airtight

Containers 10 pieces by VERONES Large Tall Airtight

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Tip 3: Have your emergency bin at the bottom of the pantry. 

If you have an emergency preparedness bin that holds food items you would need on the go, store it on the floor so you can easily access it quickly.  Visit our emergency food bin DIY project to help you set up yours! Store your 5-quart water bottles next to it to grab them too quickly.

Use the top of the emergency bin for storage. Make sure the bins are sturdy. If you feel that they are not, add a piece of wood that overlaps all edges of the tote to give a sturdy surface to hold excess items. And, if you want to transform your entire closet, you can add a few of these totes (Affiliate Link).

Image of Containers Clear 91qt by IRIS USA 4 Pack

Containers Clear 91qt by IRIS USA 4 Pack

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Tip 4: Store extra herbs, spices, and cans on their sides in a shallow drawer to quickly view and grab when needed. 

A shallow drawer was one of my favorite things in my pantry (Affiliate Link). I could easily view the herbs and spices (Affiliate Link) by laying the closed herbs and spices (Affiliate Link) on their side. I also found that if my drawer could handle it, I could lay the cans on the side too. Visit our other post on managing spices and herbs in two different areas.

herbs spices cans storage drawer

Image of ClosetMaid Wire Basket 4 Drawer Organizer Unit

ClosetMaid Wire Basket 4 Drawer Organizer Unit

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Tip 5: Add an area for your most used cleaning items. 

Since the closet is also centrally located, I also stored cleaning supplies on the bottom few shelves (Affiliate Link) on the wall unit. It helped keep everything in one place and allow for quick cleanup when needed.

Image of Over the Door wall mount Pantry Organizer by POKIPO, 6-Tier

Over the Door wall mount Pantry Organizer by POKIPO, 6-Tier

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Tip 6: Keep baking goods in one place. 

Keeping the baking supplies together gave me a glance at what I needed when I was urged to bake something. Sealed containers work nicely to store bulk baking supplies. Below are some I found on Amazon (Affiliate Link) (affiliate).

Image of Container 10-Piece by OXO Good Grips

Container 10-Piece by OXO Good Grips

Buy Now →
Image of Container by OXO Good Grips POP - Airtight Food Storage

Container by OXO Good Grips POP - Airtight Food Storage

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

Tip 7: Make sure to label all the bins. 

Using these different-sized containers may be confusing if you don't label (Affiliate Link) them. I found that various sizes worked. I also didn't care that they were all the same. Labels (Affiliate Link) just needed to stick and stay on all the different types of bins. Labels (Affiliate Link) stick to the front of these containers to help you know what is inside. Visit our post about things to label (Affiliate Link) in a well-organized house.

Image of Label Stickers 96pcs by Mantah Chalkboard

Label Stickers 96pcs by Mantah Chalkboard

Buy Now →
Image of Pantry Labels: 377 Bold Cursive Gloss Clear

Pantry Labels: 377 Bold Cursive Gloss Clear

Buy Now →

(Affiliate Link)

Featured Links powered by

The Transformation

Remember, we are trying to minimize the cost to do this makeshift pantry, so be creative and search around your home to find the right item before buying anything. And here is the result.

7 Ways to Transform a Hall Closet into a Pantry

With minimal cost, while maximizing the space, the closet can now hold more food and supplies than ever! We were so happy with this pantry (Affiliate Link) and used it for many years until recently, when we remodeled the kitchen. I hope this inspires you to transform a space in your home into a pantry (Affiliate Link) that works for you.

Now it's your turn. Did you transform the hall closet into a pantry? How did you do it? Please leave a comment below.

Visit our other pantry organization posts for more ideas!

  • How to Create a Baking Zone with a Baking Tools List
    How to Create a Baking Zone with a Baking Tools List
  • Crafty Over the Door Hanging Organizers to Maximize your Kitchen Space square image
    Crafty Over the Door Hanging Organizers to Maximize your Kitchen Space
  • Create a Complete Baking Supplies Zone with this Checklist and Tips
    Create a Complete Baking Supplies Zone with this Checklist and Tips
  • 15 Things to Toss for a Stress Free Pantry - title over the pantry shelves with bags on the floor
    15 Things to Toss for a Stress-Free Pantry
7 Ways to Transform a Hall Closet into a Pantry

Here is additional expert advice on transforming a coat closet into a pantry. Feel free to check them as well.

HOW I TRANSFORMED A COAT CLOSET INTO A PANTRY

How to Transform a Closet into a Pantry

8 Ways to Create a Pantry in even the smallest kitchen

Please note the link above are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link), and at no additional cost to you, I will receive affiliate fees if you click through and decide to make a purchase.

7 ways to transform a hall closet into a pantry
7 Ways to Transform a Hall Closet into a Pantry
(Visited 16,316 times, 25 visits today)

More Pantry Organization Tips

  • The Best Mason Jar Labels You Will Never Live Without by Sabrina's Organizing
    The Best Way To Label Mason Jars
  • How to Make a DIY Chalkboard Pantry Doors
    How to Make a DIY Chalkboard Pantry Doors
  • Top 20 Pantry Organizing Tips Your Family Will Love - featured image
    Top 20 Pantry Organizing Tips Your Family Will Love
  • DIY Organizing Projects to Keep the Kitchen running Smoothly - by Sabrina's Organizing
    DIY Organizing Projects to Keep the Kitchen Running Smoothly

About Sabrina Quairoli

I love sharing my passion for organizing life and home. I hope you get inspired when visiting my home organizing tips, quick weeknight recipes, party planning ideas, and DIY organizing projects. Visit the About Me page to read my story.

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Liana George says

    October 27, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    I love your creativity here! I once transformed a large hall closet into a small office for me - it was wonderful! Thanks for showing us that creativity is only limited by our imaginations!

    Reply
  2. Stacey Agin Murray says

    October 23, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    We use large bins for pretzels and tortilla chips in our house, too! I use OXO POP Containers. So easy for my kids to easily open and close them. Before our kitchen renovation, the previous owners had added pull-out shelves to a skinny broom closet in our tiny kitchen. That was a lifesaver, but I, also had most of my pantry items in our basement. Good for exercise--not for cooking! Now, post-renovation, I have a walk-in pantry with a light that goes on when you open the door. It is Pantry Paradise!

    Reply
    • Sabrina Quairoli says

      October 24, 2017 at 9:37 am

      That sounds lovely. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.

      Reply
  3. Julie Stobbe says

    October 23, 2017 at 9:17 am

    I transformed my closet at the back entry into a pantry. Part of it is stilled used for shoes but most of it is used for small appliances and extra food supplies. This leaves space in my kitchen to have things I use on a regular basis close at hand. We mounted tracking on the wall that allowed us to insert brackets to hold shelves and easily adjust the spacing between the shelves as needed.

    Reply
    • Sabrina Quairoli says

      October 23, 2017 at 9:45 am

      Great job, Julie. It goes to show that even if your space isn't the way you want it, you can change it. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.

      Reply
  4. Seana Turner says

    October 23, 2017 at 8:46 am

    I will never understand anyone who designs a kitchen without a pantry! I love this transformation. I have a client who did the same thing. She wasn't really using the closet because they typically entered from the back of the house. At the same time, the kitchen and closet were right next to each other. It was the perfect solution!

    Reply
    • Sabrina Quairoli says

      October 23, 2017 at 9:44 am

      I don't understand it either. It was close to the kitchen but really? When we had the house built, there wasn't even an option to add it. Ugh.

      We redesigned our kitchen a few years ago and I made sure I added a shallow floor to ceiling pantry. I now use this space for cleaning supplies storage and our DIY emergency kit. It's great because, over the years, I just changed the content and removed two drawers. When you have a good system in place, changing the content is super easy.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
Sabrina owner of Sabrina's Organizing and Admin Services

Hey, I'm Sabrina!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog, where you can find Home Organizing, Quick Weeknight Recipes, and DIY Craft Home Organizing Projects. Feel free to browse around to get motivated to improve your home life!

Learn More
Sabrina Morresi Quairoli Received the NAPO Certificate of Study for Essentials of Productivity - digital badge
Sabrina's Organizing Supporting individuals since 1997 BANNER 25 year banner
Ready to Streamline Your Home - Get this year's Declutter Challenge ebook for Free long image

Recent Posts

  • Creative Ways to Throw a Summer Party on a Budget - square image
    Creative Ways to Throw a Summer Party on a Budget

  • How to Get Rid of Unused Household Electronics
    How to Get Rid of Household Electronics

  • How to Make a Family Heritage Scrapbook square image
    How to Make a Family Heritage Scrapbook

  • after photo with cork fabric, ribbon, silk yellow flower and title at the top left of image square size
    How to Make a Cork Fabric Glass Cylinder DIY Project

Popular Posts

  • Yummy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
  • Places To Donate Jewelry You Do Not Want
  • The Ultimate Cruise Packing List Everyone Needs
  • 43 Positive Mantra Sayings to Keep You on the…
  • This Year's Recycling and Shredder Events
  • 13 Ways to Make Your Bedroom An Oasis
  • Incredibly Easy Tips for Organizing An Older Adult's Home
  • Welcome to Sabrina's Organizing
  • 7 Book Storage Solutions For Small Spaces
  • Powerful Professional Organizer Advise For New Organizers
Get your free copy of our Home Management binder ebook
Get our Holiday Season Planner to help you save money and time with free checklists and Printables to make this season amazing

Amazon Disclosure

Sabrina's Organizing blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Sabrina’s Organizing Web Stories

Click on this badge to learn about what this badge means on NAPO.net

Sabrina's Organizing & Admin Services Registered & Insured through 2025

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy and Cookies
  • Google Analytics Privacy Statement and Opt-Out Option
Sabrina's Organizing Supporting individuals since 1997 BANNER 25 year banner

Newsletter and Certifications

  • Sign Up for emails and updates
  • 2024 NAPO Business Stamp of Approval
Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli received Essentials of Productivity Certificate of Study from NAPO.

Contact

  • Contact
  • Solution Consultations
  • Virtual Organizing Consults
  • Write for Us
Productivity and Organizing Blog Carnival Ultimate Star Blogger Member

Sabrina's Organizing,  Sabrina's Admin Services, Organizing on a Dime, and Recipes to Chew On blogs by Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2011-2025. Sabrina's Organizing Blog content by Sabrina Morresi-Quairoli is licensed. Based on work at Sabrina’s Organizing blog, social media content, and newsletters shared, permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available when contacting me.

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}