![The inside of a stocked pantry with white shelving and lights. The inside of a stocked pantry with white shelving and lights.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-hero.jpg)
![Jaime Costiglio contributorImage](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/jaime-costiglio-headshot.jpg)
A Note From The Home Depot
If there is one space in the home that many struggle to maintain and keep organized, it’s the kitchen pantry. With a little Home Depot paint and some new lighting,Jaime Costiglio completes a full pantry makeover in less than 10 steps.
Making improvements and solving problems is human nature. It’s what drives our ‘to do’ lists, keeps us busy working and makes us productive humans. Today we’re tackling one of those nagging problems in the home which is a dark and dingy pantry closet. This is an easy, inexpensive and simple pantry organization makeover that almost anyone can tackle. And I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner!
![The inside of an empty pantry with white wood shelves. The inside of an empty pantry with white wood shelves.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-1.jpg)
More importantly this pantry organization idea could be applied to any space in your home. The solution involves two tools: paint and lights. And that’s it. We all know paint is amazing and makes a great base to freshen up a space. Painting your home is something almost anyone can tackle. You may even have some leftover paint from another project that would be enough to cover a pantry or closet space.
Let me share the before photo of this pantry so you can see the real transformation.
![The inside of a dark and unorganized pantry. The inside of a dark and unorganized pantry.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-2.jpg)
First of all, it’s super dark and there was no lighting period. Secondly, the walls and shelves were dirty and gross from years of use. Time for a pantry makeover to solve those two problems.
![The inside of an organized and brightly lit pantry. The inside of an organized and brightly lit pantry.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-3.jpg)
Amazing what paint and lights can do for a space! And now we can actually see the food in the pantry closet without having to use our cell phone flashlights. You could definitely take this pantry makeover project to another level with organizer bins and containers. But I prefer to group the items with just a few bins for loose chips and such while keeping everything visible.
![A pantry with items organized on the shelves. A pantry with items organized on the shelves.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-4.jpg)
For this pantry makeover I used one 10′ strip of LED under cabinet lights around the interior of the door frame. Installation was fast and easy and the results were immediate. The lights plug in to an outlet and are operated using a switch mounted to the interior door trim.
They are completely unobtrusive since they sit flat and flush on the wall. Also, they required no electrical wiring which means you can complete this project on your own.
![A pantry is lit up by a strip of under cabinet lights. A pantry is lit up by a strip of under cabinet lights.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-5.jpg)
![An empty pantry with painted white satin finish shelves. An empty pantry with painted white satin finish shelves.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-6.jpg)
For the shelves I recommend a satin finish and be sure to let your paint dry completely before adding items back into the closet. Looking at that beautiful, white space makes me giddy with joy, it’s almost too nice to clutter it up with pantry items.
![A pantry organized with clear storage bins. A pantry organized with clear storage bins.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-7.jpg)
![An empty and dark pantry. An empty and dark pantry.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-8.jpg)
Step 1
Empty the pantry space.
![A woman sanding shelves in a pantry. A woman sanding shelves in a pantry.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-9.jpg)
Step 2
Sand shelves smooth of any debris and prepare surface for paint. Then wipe down with a damp cloth.
![A woman paints the walls of a pantry white. A woman paints the walls of a pantry white.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-10.jpg)
Step 3
Paint walls flat white, I did three coats. Paint the shelves satin white.
![A person determines where to plug in a light strip. A person determines where to plug in a light strip.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-11.jpg)
Step 4
Open light strip package and determine plug location.
![A person determines where to place the light switch for the light strip. A person determines where to place the light switch for the light strip.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-12.jpg)
Step 5
Determine light switch location.
![A person holds lit strip of cabinet lights. A person holds lit strip of cabinet lights.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-13.jpg)
Step 6
Unwind light strip and determine placement.
![A person peels the paper backing off a light strip. A person peels the paper backing off a light strip.](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/pantry-makeover-image-14.jpg)
Step 7
To attach lights, peel off paper backing to reveal the sticky adhesive. Press light strip onto wall.
Then turn on the lights and enjoy your bright and fresh new space!