This isn't clever at all, but I'm planning to dedicate a pullout shelf of my 18" pantry for fruit. I'll probably use small lined baskets.

Anita

That's exactly what I mean... I just want some ideas other than a wicker basket on the countertop! I really like that idea as it is versatile!

i plan to build 14" open shelves and stick long pull out wicker basket in three of them. One for fruit, one for onion and garlic and one for potatoes. The cabinet person i went to had these from a manufacturer...ridiculous price. great function and very sturdy baskets but they were like $400 each- not worth it to me. I think I can find some $20 baskets to stick in there.

Here! (actually, top basket is for bread and bottom will be for onions OR potatoes. Like many of us, I also store snack fruits in a nice easily accessible bowl on the countertop...hint, hint, kids.)

I figured any configuration that the cabinet store would do would be very pricey so it's great to hear the DIY options such as the basket/shelf .
bluekitobsessed: where did you find those baskets-they look very sturdy and I like the wood frame.
thanks.

Ravmd, it was a cab co thing thus on the pricey side, sorry.

I have some hanging wire baskets that I use for fruit, tomatoes and onions. I now keep potatoes on a shelf in my pantry. Just today I found a nice basket with a cloth liner at Target that is becoming my potato storage bin.

I store the onions and potatoes in baskets in the pantry. Fruit is usually in bowls on the counter.

We needed a "filler" for a 9-inch space between our corner Super Susan and our built-in refrigerator, so we're going to have a 3-shelf base pullout there: top shelf for DH's morning bananas, middle shelf for other room-temp fruits, and bottom shelf for onions/shallots/garlic. We use virtually no potatoes, so I buy them if/when I need them.

We're used to having things out and visible on the counter, so I'm going to line the pullout shelves with aluminum foil and paper towels just in case we forget there are "living" fruits and veggies in there!

DH likes his things really "at hand", so if he insists that his bananas remain on the counter, they'll go in a decorative copper colander.

Ravmd, aren't you going to have an enviously large walkin pantry? :-) We have a tiny walkin pantry, and like susanilz5, keep potatoes, onions, and garlic in there, while fruit is in a bowl on the counter. (Fruit out of site, means out of mind, which means too much spoiled fruit.) Since the pantry is not on display, I don't find it necessary to get pricey storage containers for the veggies. Right now, while I have only temporary shelving in the pantry, they're in odd baskets I already had on hand. Eventually I want some baskets or other open weave type containers for onions and garlic that are the size and shape for the most efficient storage on the pantry shelves. We're keeping wheat berries and pet food in some wheeled containers I bought at Storables, so I think I'll also get one for potatoes. DH says he'll drill holes in it for me so there will be some air circulation. We'll have a row of these wheeled containers on the floor and will start our shelves above.

Sounds like the easy thing to do is baskets in the pantry and fruit on the counter. I like the idea of the bin for potatoes. I guess when you are feeding a family of 10 you would need that! I have 3 boys (age 3-9) and already feel it's hard to keep enough food in the house!!

Rhome410-to confuse things again with our plans I think we are going back to wall cabs/pantry rather than the walk in..we got some 3d drawings over the weekend and it seemed to work better. My DH needs me to make a decision and this is the toughest thing-so instead I am thinking about easier things like where I will store my veggies :)!!!!

So when do we get to see the new plan? ;-)

Good idea to make sure you have enough room for everything. It'd be a huge let down to have a new kitchen and have it not work...Especially when you had a good plan going that offered so much.

I can post it again-just don't want everyone thinking I am rehashing everything (again!) It isn't terribly different but the 3d's definitely help.
Will try to take photos later today....