It’s the perfect time to hit the reset button on your home.

Rather than waiting until September when schedules become hectic, August offers an opportunity to declutter, organize, and create spaces that support your family before life speeds up again. The best part? You don’t have to tackle everything at once. A few simple projects spread out over the next few weeks will make a significant difference.

Here are some easy DIY organizing tips you can complete this month—and when the job feels overwhelming, Rose City Professional Organizing is always here to help.

1. Refresh Your Entryway

Your entryway is one of the hardest-working spaces in your home. As summer activities transition into school drop-offs, work routines, and extracurriculars, it’s worth taking a few minutes to prepare this area. Start by removing anything that doesn’t belong. Donate shoes no one wears, store away summer gear that’s no longer being used daily, and clear off surfaces that have become catch-alls.

Next, create designated homes for everyday essentials:

• Hooks for backpacks, purses, or jackets
• A basket for shoes
• A tray for keys and wallets
• A small bin for reusable shopping bags

An organized entryway helps everyone start and end the day with less stress.

2. Sort Through Summer Items

Before summer officially comes to an end, take inventory of seasonal items.

Ask yourself:

• Which beach towels are worn out?
• Are there pool toys no one uses anymore?
• Did everyone actually wear those sandals?
• Is camping gear complete and ready for next year?

Donate items that are still in good condition but no longer serve your family. Dispose of broken items, then neatly pack away what you’ll use again next summer.
Label storage bins clearly so you won’t have to guess what’s inside when warm weather returns.

3. Create a Back-to-School Command Centre

Whether you have school-aged children or simply want to stay organized, a family command centre can simplify daily life.

Choose one central location for:

• Calendars
• School papers
• Permission forms
• Weekly meal plans
• Important reminders
• Incoming mail

Keeping everything together reduces clutter on kitchen counters and helps everyone know where to find important information.
Even households without children benefit from having one organized space for appointments, bills, and schedules.

4. Declutter the Pantry

Summer often leaves behind half-used snacks, baking supplies, and duplicate grocery purchases.

Take everything out of the pantry and:

• Check expiry dates.
• Group similar items together.
• Wipe shelves clean.
• Place frequently used items at eye level.
• Store snacks in baskets or clear containers.

A tidy pantry makes meal planning easier and helps reduce food waste.
You might even discover ingredients you’ve forgotten you already had.

5. Declutter Clothing Before Fall Shopping

August is a great month to evaluate everyone’s wardrobe before cooler weather arrives.

As you go through clothing, ask:

• Does it fit?
• Has it been worn in the past year?
• Is it comfortable?
• Is it in good condition?
• Would I buy it again today?

Create three piles:

• Keep
• Donate
• Recycle or discard

Removing clothing you no longer wear makes it easier to see what you actually need for the upcoming season.

6. Organize Digital Clutter Too

Clutter isn’t always physical.

Take a few minutes to:

• Delete old screenshots.
• Organize photos into albums.
• Remove unused apps.
• Unsubscribe from unwanted emails.
• Back up important files.

Digital organization can feel just as satisfying as cleaning out a closet.

7. Spend Just 15 Minutes a Day

One of the biggest misconceptions about organizing is that it requires an entire weekend.
In reality, consistency matters more than marathon cleaning sessions.
Try setting a timer for just 15 minutes each day.

Focus on one small area:

• One kitchen drawer
• One bathroom cabinet
• One shelf in the linen closet
• One toy bin
• One section of your closet

Small, manageable tasks quickly add up and feel far less overwhelming.

Progress Over Perfection

One of the most important things to remember is that organizing isn’t about creating a picture-perfect home. It’s about creating systems that make everyday life easier.
Your home should work for you—not the other way around.
If you only complete one organizing project this month, that’s still progress. Celebrate the small wins.

When DIY Isn’t Enough

Sometimes, despite our best intentions, clutter becomes overwhelming.
Maybe you’ve recently moved.
Maybe you’re downsizing.
Perhaps life has simply become busy, and organizing keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list.
That’s completely normal.
Many people know what they want their home to look like but aren’t sure where to begin—or they don’t have the time or energy to do it alone.

That’s where professional organizing can make all the difference.

At Rose City Professional Organizing we work alongside you to create personalized organizing systems that fit your lifestyle, your family, and your goals. There is no judgment, no one-size-fits-all approach, and no pressure to achieve perfection. Instead, we focus on practical, sustainable solutions that help you enjoy your home again.
Whether you need help organizing a single room, preparing for a move, downsizing, or tackling your entire home, we’re here to make the process manageable and even enjoyable.

Ready to Tackle your To-Do List before the Frantic Fall Season Kicks into Gear? Reach out to our team today and together, we can create organized spaces that are beautiful, functional, and easy to maintain, so you can spend less time managing clutter and more time enjoying what matters most.

Visit us at www.rosecityprofessionalorganizing.com or call us at 587-600-0264 to book a free assessment.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links so I may receive compensation if you purchase products linked below. As an Amazon Associate, I can earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Use Clear Containers

Investing in clear containers can revolutionize your pantry. They not only provide a sleek and tidy look but also make it easy to see what you have at a glance. This is particularly helpful when planning holiday meals, as you’ll want to quickly identify items like flour, sugar, or spices without rummaging through opaque packaging.

Benefits of Clear Containers

Visibility: You can quickly locate what you need, which is especially useful when you’re in a hurry to prepare festive dishes.

Airtight Sealing: Opt for airtight containers to keep your ingredients fresh longer. This is vital for items like flour and sugar that can easily go stale.

Labeling: Label each container clearly to facilitate quick identification. Use chalkboard labels or a label maker for a polished look.

Holiday Tip

Stock up on clear containers ahead of time to prepare for the influx of baking supplies and specialty ingredients you’ll need for holiday recipes.

2. Create Zones

Organizing your pantry into zones based on categories can dramatically improve efficiency. Consider creating designated areas for baking supplies, snacks, canned goods, and holiday-specific ingredients.

How to Create Zones

Baking Zone: Dedicate a section for flour, sugar, baking powder, and other essentials. This makes it easy to grab everything you need when preparing holiday treats.

Snack Zone: Have a place for chips, popcorn, and other snacks, making it easy for guests to find munchies during gatherings.

Canned Goods Zone: Organize canned vegetables, soups, and sauces together. This is useful for quick meal prep during the busy holiday season.

Holiday Tip

Consider using festive containers or labels for your holiday baking supplies to add a seasonal touch and keep everything organized.

3. Utilize Vertical Space

Don’t underestimate the power of vertical space! By using stackable bins or tiered shelves, you can maximize storage without taking up more floor space.

Tips for Using Vertical Space

Stackable Bins: Use these for items like snacks or dry goods. You can easily see and access the top bin without disrupting the bottom ones.

Tiered Shelves: These fantastic products allow you to display multiple rows of items, making it easier to find what you need without having to dig through a pile of boxes.

Holiday Tip

Keep everyday essentials, like cooking oils and spices, at eye level while storing less frequently used items like specialty baking mixes or seasonal ingredients on the higher shelves.

4. Repurpose Lazy Susans

Lazy Susans aren’t just for the dining table! They can be a game-changer in your pantry, allowing you to easily access items at the back of a shelf. You can even use a Divided Lazy Susan for even better categorization

Benefits of Using Lazy Susans

Easy Access: No more reaching into the back of a deep shelf. Just spin the Lazy Susan to find what you need.

Organization: Use them for oils, spices, condiments or even holiday-specific items like chocolate chips or dried fruits for baking.

Holiday Tip

Designate one Lazy Susan for your spices, especially those you’ll use frequently during the holiday season. This keeps everything at your fingertips for easy access while cooking.

5. Incorporate Pull-Out Baskets

Installing pull-out baskets or drawers can make it easier to access items at the back of deep shelves.

Benefits of Pull-Out Baskets

Accessibility: No more kneeling down and digging through clutter. Pull-out baskets let you easily access everything.

Organization: Keep bulk items like bags of flour, sugar, or snacks neatly contained and easy to reach.

Holiday Tip

Use pull-out baskets to store items that you use in bulk during the holidays, like bags of potatoes or cans of cranberry sauce, keeping them organized and accessible.

6. Use Over-the-Door Organizers

Take advantage of the back of your pantry door by adding an over-the-door organizer. These versatile storage solutions can hold everything from spices and snacks to baking tools and cleaning supplies.

Benefits of Over-the-Door Organizers

Maximized Space: Utilizing the back of your pantry door gives you extra storage without taking up shelf space.

Visibility: You can see everything at a glance, making it easier to find ingredients when you’re cooking up holiday feasts.

Holiday Tip

Consider using one section of your over-the-door organizer for holiday baking essentials, such as measuring cups, spatulas, and cookie cutters, so everything is at hand when you’re ready to bake.

7. Regularly Declutter and Rotate Stock

Make it a habit to declutter your pantry every few months, especially before the holiday season.

Steps to Declutter and Rotate Stock

Check Expiration Dates: Go through your pantry and discard expired items. This is crucial before the holiday season when you may be stocking up on ingredients.

Donate Unused Items: If you have items you won’t use, consider donating them to a local food bank.

Rotate Stock: Place newer items at the back and older ones in front to ensure you’re using up what you have before purchasing more.

Holiday Tip

Use this decluttering time to take stock of your holiday cooking needs. Make a list of ingredients you need to buy and those you can use up, preventing unnecessary purchases.

Bonus Tip: Prepare a Holiday Cooking List

As you organize your pantry, create a holiday cooking list that outlines the dishes you plan to make. This can be invaluable in ensuring you have everything on hand.

Plan Your Menus: Decide what dishes you’ll be preparing for each holiday gathering and jot down all the ingredients needed.

Check Your Pantry: Before heading to the store, check your organized pantry to see what you already have. This prevents buying duplicates and wasting food.

Use a Checklist: Create a checklist for your shopping trips to ensure you don’t forget any essentials.

How a Professional Organizer Can Help

If the thought of organizing your pantry feels overwhelming or if you simply don’t know where to start, consider hiring our Professional Organizing Team. We provide valuable assistance tailored to your specific needs, especially during the busy holiday season.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Organizer

Expertise: Our Professional Organizers have the experience and knowledge to optimize your pantry space efficiently. They will recommend the best storage solutions tailored to your pantry’s size and layout.

Personalized Approach: We assess your current pantry situation, understand your cooking habits, and create a customized organizational system that works for you.

Time-Saving: Organizing can be time-consuming, especially when you’re preparing for the holidays. Our Professionals handle the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on cooking and hosting.

Sustainable Systems: Beyond just organizing, we can teach you how to maintain your pantry’s order. This will help you keep things tidy and manageable, even after the holiday rush.

With these pantry organization hacks, you’ll not only save time and space but also enhance your cooking experience—especially during the hectic holiday season. A well-organized pantry is the first step to culinary success, making it easier to whip up delicious meals for family and friends. If you feel overwhelmed, remember that our Team of Professional Organizers can help you navigate the process and create a system that works for you.

Book a free virtual home assessment today to get help! Happy organizing, and may your holiday cooking be joyous and stress-free!

You can’t ignore them when they’re messy!

Every time you open up your pantry door, there it is— the jumbled chaos of spices, canned foods, tupperware, cereals, pots, pans, and an endless collection of other kitchen items. That’s when the cycle begins. 

You tell yourself you’ll get around to organizing it. You set an arbitrary date like “later this week” or “on the weekend”. Then you open it again. You sigh with frustration. You close the door. The week goes by in a hurried rush of responsibilities. You never get around to tidying. Your pantry remains neglected.

It’s a cycle we’ve all found ourselves in. But it doesn’t have to be one we stay trapped in!

Today I’ll be sharing my list of smart and simple pantry hacks to help you regain control of this clutter-magnet space in your home. Let’s get started!

7 Pantry Organization Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

1. Make Wall Hooks Your New Best Friend

Of all the steps you can take to organize your pantry, adding wall hooks is the most came-changing in terms of creating flexible storage options. Wall hooks can be used to hang cleaning supplies, like brooms and mops, or cooking attire like aprons and oven mitts. You can also hang pots from wall hooks, since the vast majority of pots have a hole in their handle.

Whatever you decide to use your wall hooks for, one thing is for certain— when you try it, it’ll quickly become one of your favourite pantry hacks (and you’ll wish you’d done it sooner). 

2. Store Vegetables in Mesh Laundry Bags

Tired of onions flaking and making a mess in your pantry? Are you constantly bending down to reach into a bag of potatoes? You need laundry bags!

These handy mesh bags can be used for way more than just laundry. They’re ideal for holding onions, potatoes, garlic, beets, and more. Their breathable construction keeps vegetables fresh, plus they allow you to hang your vegetables on the back of your door or from a wall hook for easy access. Win win!

3. Use Pant Hangers to Store Chips

This might seem unorthodox at first, but it’s actually an awesome space-saving hack. The two clips on pant hangers are ideal for adhering to rolled up, opened bags of chips, and the hanger itself can be hung from wire shelves, wall hooks, or even a thumb tack. This frees up a significant amount of shelf space, prevents chips from spilling, and keeps your pantry looking its best. Definitely one of my favourite pantry storage ideas!

4. Add a Small Rolling Cart

Do you ever leave your pantry with your arms full of items you need to make a recipe? Have you ever wished there was an easier way to move multiple things from your pantry to another area of your kitchen? If you answered yes, keeping a small rolling cart in your pantry is one of the best pantry organization tips to address these problems. 

If you’re an avid baker, for instance, you can store all of your baking essentials on your rolling cart. If you hate when small appliances crowd your countertops, you can keep mixers, blenders, waffle makers, and other gadgets on your rolling cart for easy access.

Most pantries are big enough to accommodate a small cart, and it’s an excellent way to improve the readiness of your need-to-reach items.

5. Get a Lazy Susan for Your Spices

Spices can quickly accumulate and take up valuable real estate in your pantry. Plus, they come in a variety of formats— packets, plastic jars, paper sacks— so it’s difficult to find a single storage solution for all your spice-storing needs. For those wondering how to organize a kitchen pantry, lazy susans are an excellent option since they can accommodate products of many shapes and sizes. Plus, a lot of units come with railing to keep contents in place. Storing your spices on a lazy susan will make them easier to access and prevent you from digging through your entire pantry each time a recipe calls for something other than salt and pepper.

6. Place Your Most-Used Items at Eye Level

Of all the pantry organization hacks I know, this one is easily one of the most impactful in terms of day-to-day efficiency. The middle shelves in your pantry are easiest to see and access, so putting the items you use most frequently in this location reduces the amount of time you spend reaching and rummaging through your pantry.

To further optimize your pantry, I encourage adding labels to all storage containers and organizing systems so you know exactly what’s inside. This is important for all areas of your pantry, but especially for the items you store at eye level, since they’re the ones you’ll need most. You’d be surprised how much time you can save over the course of a month when you no longer have to move things around in your pantry to find what you’re looking for!

7. Invest in Stackable, Open-Faced Bins

It’s impossible to complete a list of pantry organization hacks without mentioning these ultra-convenient bins. They’re perfect for grouping small food packages or other items you want to be able to grab and go. 

Snacks, condiment packets, soup mix— the options are endless. And the best part is you can place these bins on top of one another, allowing you to maximize the vertical space in your pantry without compromising accessibility.

With these pantry storage ideas, you can finally get out of the dreaded “I need to organize my pantry” cycle and start enjoying the convenience of a neat, tidy, systemized kitchen storage space that meets your needs.

No time to implement these hacks yourself? Easily overwhelmed by organization? Need an expert to put the systems in place so all you have to do is maintain them? Our Professional Edmonton Home Organizers are here and ready to help. Reach out today to book your free Virtual Assessment and let us do it for you!

Or, if you’re ready to get started on Decluttering & Organizing at your own pace using the exact process our Team of Professional Organizers uses when working with our Clients in their Homes, I’ve created a Workbook for you!
With our thought-provoking declutter coaching questions, detailed step-by-step organizing process, helpful checklists, and annual, monthly & weekly planners you will be equipped to make amazing progress!
Click on the images below to Purchase & Download your copy of my 47 page Comprehensive Declutter & Organize Like a Pro Workbook & Planner! Happy Organizing!