There aren’t many things more frustrating than a chaotic kitchen pantry when preparing a meal. From items tumbling out when you open the door and expired cans hiding behind boxed foods to the half-opened bags of chips that are now stale — chances are you’re in need of a pantry reset. Fortunately, restoring order to your kitchen pantry doesn’t have to be an exhausting and time-consuming project.

With a bit of planning, a few clever organization hacks, and a little elbow grease, you can transform your messy pantry into a well-organized, aesthetically pleasing space that streamlines meal preparation and makes your daily routines easier.

Remove what doesn’t serve you.

The very first thing you need to do when organizing your pantry is to remove all of the items to get a sense of the space you’re working with. Ensure that your pantry is clean by wiping down the empty shelves. Once the pantry is empty and clean, sort your items into categories like canned goods, grains, snacks, and so on. This will make it easier when creating dedicated zones within the pantry.

It’s also important to check the expiration dates on items. Toss out anything that is expired, or that you know you won’t use. If there are items that aren’t expired yet, but you most likely won’t use them, consider donating them to a local food bank.

Keep items you use frequently in high-visibility.

Place the items that you frequently use at eye level in your pantry. This makes it easy to access and keep a visual inventory. Lesser-used items can be stored on the higher or lower shelves in your pantry.

Invest in clear airtight containers.

Using quality, transparent containers helps to create a uniform look and allows you to see what’s inside. Put items like cereals, pasta, and rice into clear airtight containers to easily track these items. Label each container for clarity.

Use the “First In, First Out” (FIFO) system.

The FIFO system is great for perishable goods. To do this, place new items behind the older ones to ensure that food doesn’t get wasted.

Add a touch of luxury.

Once your pantry is beautifully organized, add a touch of luxury. From battery-operated LED lights that turn on when the door opens to stylish labels for containers, these touches give your pantry a personalized touch.