Martha Stewart Keeps Her ‘Favorite Room’ Organized With This Timeless, ‘Old-Fashioned’ Storage Method – Still Reliable After 27 Years

Few things remain as perfect after 27 years, but in the case of Martha Stewart’s pantry storage method, timelessness truly shines. Imagine stepping into a beautifully organized pantry, where every jar, box, and canister has its place – tidy, accessible, and effortlessly elegant. That’s the kind of space Martha has long championed.

Martha first gave a tour of her set’s pantry back in 1998, yet her tips remain just as relevant for modern homes. Her most enduring lesson? Thoughtful kitchen storage and pantry storage solutions, like glass jars and boxes, will always have a place on every shelf, combining functionality with lasting style.

‘This is perhaps my favorite room in my new set – this is the pantry. Every home, if you can have it, should have a pantry,’ Martha begins.

‘A room like this can be so orderly and so old-fashioned at the same time. Many of my older friends have pantries in their basements or closets, but having a whole room devoted to storing all this delicious excess is really handy. This is also an excellent place to keep dog food, cat food, scales, twine, and my collection of old French bread boards on the wall,’ she adds.

Martha demonstrates how to use glass refrigerator jars (similar to these available on Amazon) to organize a pantry – and keep it tidy.

'These are old-fashioned refrigerator jars, and sugar is layered with vanilla beans. On the top shelf, I keep things that I need but don’t use very often. It’s really great to have a pantry.’

Her pantry also features giant jars with painted green lids that complement the gray-green tones of her cabinets. ‘What a great way to utilize oversized jars that you find at antique shows and tag sales. We painted the caps of these big jars to look good in the pantry; this is great for dog food, cat food, and whatever. Grains [should also be kept] in tightly covered jars,’ she explains.

‘Spices [should be] tightly covered, teas tightly covered, jams and jellies [should not be kept] in bright sunlight. Homemade jams will last a lot longer if they’re kept in a cool, rather dark place. It’s also very important to use containers to [your] best advantage. These old refrigerated jars look great in a pantry. Also, if you’re going to buy six or ten boxes of brown sugar, always use the box in front first and keep the newly bought product in the back of the line.’

In true Martha Stewart style, she adds personality and flair. ‘Let me point out that I collect old-fashioned canning jars that have good, tight caps. It’s also very important in a pantry to know what things have to be kept out,’ she says. While few of us have a collection as extensive as hers, it’s a reminder that pantry storage can be both personal and beautiful.

The new year is the perfect opportunity to rethink pantry and kitchen storage – and if any method is built to last into 2025 and beyond, it’s this one. After more than 27 years, Martha Stewart’s approach still proves there’s nothing better than timeless organization.

Shop Kitchen and Pantry Storage

Take a cue from Martha Stewart and elevate your pantry with beautiful, practical storage. Glass jars, canisters, and bottles never go out of style – and there are plenty of wonderful options to choose from.