The pantry area can quickly get out of hand if you're not smart about it. Ready to make it easier to keep things organized? Here's our top tips for an organized pantry.

Start by labeling the different shelves in your pantry. This one simple step has huge impact. Everything else falls in place when you have a specific area to put things. Create the following zones to help guide you:

Home Remedies

Get one bin and store all of your cold and flu remedies, along with any other medications. Next time sickness strikes, you won't need to rummage around to find relief.

Holiday Supplies

On that hard to reach shelf, store seasonal items like pumpkin puree, cranberry sauce and gravy mix.

Staples You Use Often

Store pasta, beans, rice and other dry goods in clear, airtight canisters. You'll be able to see when you're running low without having to open containers. Get a step organizer to arrange your canned goods on so you can easily see the labels. Twice a year, go through your staples and check expiration dates.

Eating On The Go

Get a bin with several compartments to store quick to get items. One section can contain breakfast bars or granola bars. In another compartment, put microwave soups. Another section can store fruits and nuts and other lunch foods. In the last section, toss in utensils and napkins for meals on the go.

Weeknight Eating

Planning ahead makes everything less stressful. Having a section for a week of easy dinners is a great idea. Each section can contain a different meal. You might store ingredients for spaghetti in one section and tacos in another. Weeknight meals are even faster when you don't have to search for ingredients.

Baking Area

Arrange dried herbs and spices in a turntable for easy access. Use a double level lazy susan for more space. Another lazy susan can store cooking oils, sugar and other baking items. Use stackable canisters to expand your space.

Kids Zone

Remove individual snacks from boxes to take up less space and store items in baskets. Include fruit, crackers and other treats on a low shelf that's easy for kids to reach.

Guest Treats

When guests come to visit, you'll always be prepared with goodies. Gather the biscotti, the special chocolates and the crackers for that cheese tray. When guests unexpectedly drop by, you'll be ready.