We just moved into an adorable 50s ranch and as you would expect - there is little storage. So I was glad there was a closet in the kitchen (over the basement stairs) that we could use as a pantry but...it's awful! Since it's over the stairs, I can't walk into it. It's also really deep and not so wide. I need help figuring out how to make the space usable.

Here are the dimensions (see images too):
37" deep
33" wide
doorway is 23" wide
"floor" starts 21" up from real floor
closet extends up 69" from "floor"
from "floor" to top of doorway is 57"

I've asked my dad about making the door a pocket door and while it may be possible, there is a heating unit on the bottom of the wall to the left and there are also light switches - so there might be issues with wires.

What I would like to store in here:
Crockpot
toaster oven
tupperware (not shown in photos)
plastic bags
all sorts of food stuff (cans, bags, potatoes, onions, etc)
wine
larger serving items that we don't use regularly

I might break down and call a big box designer, but I'd love something DIY. My hubs and I are fairly handy, I'm just not inspired by anything yet! I like the idea of using pull out drawers...but I don't want the whole closet full of those.

HELP!!