10 Smart RV Pantry Storage Ideas for Your Camper Kitchen

Sometimes RV pantry cabinets aren’t quite as functional as they need to be: too deep, too narrow, too tall, or altogether non-existent!  Fortunately, these brilliant RV owners came up with clever solutions for those annoying RV pantry problems. Borrow these RV pantry storage ideas and RV pantry organization ideas for your own camper or motorhome!

Ideas for Organizing Deep RV Pantry Shelves

Problem: Your RV pantry cabinets are too deep.

One of the most common problems with RV pantry cabinets is that they’re so deep it’s difficult to reach things toward the back, especially on the upper cabinets. 

Solution #1: The Rev-a-shelf cabinet system.

One excellent solution to this problem is the Rev-a-shelf cabinet system of pull-out wire rack. This is what RV owner Debra Jones used in her RV pantry pictured below.

You can find these pull-out shelves in multiple different sizes to fit your cabinets.

LYNK PROFESSIONAL® Pull Out Cabinet Organizer, 11" x 21" Slide Out Drawers for Kitchen Cabinets - Sliding Pull-Out Pantry Shelves – Home Shelf Organizers - Lifetime Ltd. Warranty, Chrome

• LYNK PROFESSIONAL, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE! MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER FEELING LIKE A PROFESSIONAL COOK with the joy of having everything at your fingertips

$54.99

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Solution #2: Make DIY RV RV pantry pull-out shelves.

A much more budget-friendly option is to make something similar yourself, which is what these RV owners did:

If you would like to try a DIY cabinet storage solution, the website Ana-White.com is a good place to find downloadable plans for this type of project.

Ideas for Organizing Narrow RV Pantry Shelves

Problem: Your pantry cabinet is too narrow.

Some campers and motorhomes have a pantry cabinet that’s extremely narrow in addition to being deep. 

Solution #1: Add narrow pull-out racks.

The Rev-a-shelf system also comes in a narrower width that’s ideal for a situation like this. (This shelving system is sold at many home improvement stores.)

Solution #2: Build a pull-out shelf.

My favorite solution to the narrow cabinet problem is this beautiful pull-out shelf made custom by RV owner Karen Finch’s son-in-law. 

YouTube is a good place to find step-by-step tutorials for making pull-out pantry shelves like this.

3. RV Pantry Organization Ideas

Problem: Your RV pantry cabinets are always messy.

These RV owners ditched the original cabinet shelves to replace them with something that worked for their space. These RV pantry storage ideas will help prevent an avalanche the next time you open your cabinet doors after pulling up to a campsite!

Solution #1: Add Elfa baskets.

The white wire basket drawers in the photo below are a combination of Elfa brand baskets from The Container Store and Closet Maid shelf brackets from Lowe’s. 

Solution #2: Add free-standing drawers.

This next idea requires no DIY skill whatsoever, as the whole thing is a freestanding unit that just slides into the cabinet. 

RV owner Cindy Martin chose this Elfa closet organizer from The Container Store after comparing multiple options because it fits perfectly. It even left room that would allow her to hang small narrow baskets on the inside of the pantry door.

4. Ideas for RV Pantry Shelves with Wasted Space at the Top

Problem: Your pantry shelves are too tall.

Not only do tall shelves waste space at the top, but they’re also an avalanche waiting to happen!

Solution #1: Add a wall-mounted rack.

One RV owner solved this problem by adding a nail polish rack to a cabinet.  She bought hers at Marshall’s, but you can also find racks that would work on Amazon, like this acrylic one or this wire one.

iDesign Hanging Nail Polish & Cosmetics Organizer, The Clarity Collection – 8.78" x 2.02" x 11.07", Clear

• WALL MOUNT COSMETIC ORGANIZER: The iDesign Hanging Nail Polish Rack is designed with three shelves to store and display a variety of bathroom necessities such as nail polish, makeup, cosmetics, jewelry, accessories, and more.

$11.90

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Solution #2: Add free standing wire shelves.

I have the same problem of tall, shallow cabinet shelves in my own RV pantry.  To make better use of the space, I:

• made a magnetic wall for my spices
• added wire shelves
• and used tension rods to hold some of the things in place. 

You can order the wire shelves online, but they are usually cheaper at places like Dollar General.

Solution #3: Add additional wood shelves. (No drilling required!)

I found out about an easy way to add removable wood shelves to cabinets that doesn’t require any tools, screws, or other hardware. 

I used that method to add a shelf at the top of the cabinet below, and even had the wood cut for me at Lowe’s. 

Personally, I like this method even better than the wire shelves because it’s sturdier and there are no bars for small things to fall through.

Read the tutorial here.