$200 and Under: Create a pantry

By Elizabeth Gehrman, Globe Correspondent

An underused utility room or closet near the kitchen can become a space-saving pantry with the addition of a few shelves and other organizers. Big-box home stores have lots of options, from hanging baskets to corner units; wire shelving can cost as little as $4 a linear foot, while a more finished look can be achieved by hanging painted pine with decorative brackets for as little as $5 a foot. IKEA offers even more choices at budget-friendly prices. Once the room is done, Merritt suggests you make the back of the door “organization central.” She recommends using chalkboard paint, hanging a magnetic or fabric-covered bulletin board, and perhaps installing a hanging pocket-style mail organizer with key hooks underneath. “That lets you utilize all the space and give everything a place,” she says.

Cost of all supplies: $175