For the longest time, I wanted open kitchen shelving to serve as a functional and whimsical mini pantry that added vital storage space to my small kitchen.
It was glorious getting it finally set up, but expensive to stock with as many matching glass storage jars as I wanted in one go. That's when I thought of a quick, free solution that curbed wastefulness, and meant I could have my dream pantry with just a fun little project.
To make sure my DIY small pantry idea still looked stylish, I recycled glass food jars from my groceries by painting all their lids to match the green theme in my kitchen with leftover paint. They look beautiful and I use them every day, plus it's non toxic.
The 1 free trick I transformed my small pantry with
By painting the metal lids the same light green (it was a leftover paint sample) the myriad of glass jars from the grocery store that entered our home on a weekly basis didn't go to waste.
It meant I could be more sustainable at home and, instead of resorting to toxic plastic food storage jars, I was able to make my home less toxic by sticking to glass for my dry goods.
Plus, I can add more whenever I need, and use mismatched jar sizes whilst still not making them seem like visual clutter that can make open storage stressful to see every day.
What you’ll need for this 10 minute DIY project
Jars that are mismatched in size or shape can still look stylish and thematic if one element ties them together neatly such as matching lids or content.
- Glass jars with lids.
- Leftover paint or a paint sample.
- A small paint brush, such as a handy one-inch paint brush from Amazon.
- Sanding pad or paper. You can get an assortment pack of varying grit sanding paper from Amazon affordably and they're useful for all sorts of DIY projects.
How to do it
I keep all sorts of dried goods in my DIY food storage jars with matching lids, pictured, including legumes, sugar, flour, dry tea leaves and sweet treats such as marshmallows
- Remove any paper labels. If you have trouble removing any sticky labels or any glue residue proves to be extra stubborn, soak in hot water and dish soap, use vinegar. Nail polish remover with acetone works really well but it’s a strong smell so ventilate the space.
- Wash and dry both your jar and lid.
- Most store-bought jars have metal lids, so it will likely need sanding to allow for the paint to properly grip the surface. You can wear an N95 mask, available at Lowe’s to prevent any inhalation of tiny metal particles whilst sanding.
- Rinse and dry the lid fully after sanding so there’s no debris to impact your finish.
- Paint and let each coat dry. I’ve found two coats is usually enough and mine have lasted without chipping for three years.
- Once fully dry, enjoy! Hand wash gently with Dawn dish soap and a microfiber cloth for paint durability. Any moisture sealed into a closed jar can increase the risk of mold later so watch out for that before filling with food.
Why this free tip is worth doing
It’s sustainable, saves you money and reuses glass jars that would only end up in the trash. Plus it's a great way to make your home less toxic by removing harmful micro-plastics in storage areas of the kitchen that come into direct contact with food. It's one of the toxic household items I've stopped buying.
Non-toxic food storage items we love
As for the items worth buying, I've picked out three of my favorites that are currently on offer and a worthy addition to any pantry.
These square glass Mason jars with air tight lids are a gorgeous and useful addition to pantries. They come with a set of cute black vintage-looking reusable labels and are BPA free. Buying these when they're on offer makes them worth the spend.
When not in use, my cake stand sits pretty on my pantry shelf with an assorted of glass jars, striped reusable popcorn tubs and a tiny vase of dried lavender on it. Adding whimsical, stylish accents into your pantry help tie your food storage choices together.
This 5-piece podium design allows you to reach the bottom of a stack with having to remove the top layer. The higher pieces are each sat on their own podium making this a smart way to organize your pantry shelves.
There are lots of weekend DIY projects that can transform your space quickly and on a budget, as well as many useful ways to repurpose old bedsheets and candle jars around your home.
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