I think the best way to handle the shelving project would be to start with the measurements you took last weekend. The space you described sounds like it could accommodate a custom solution better than something off the shelf. You mentioned the wall is slightly uneven near the corner which means you will want to shim the back pieces to keep everything level. I have had good results using a simple plywood box design with adjustable shelf pins so you can reconfigure later if needed. The depth you measured at fourteen inches gives you plenty of room for storage bins without wasting space. For the finish I would recommend a wash coat of shellac before painting because it seals the grain and prevents the wood from absorbing too much moisture from the paint. You could also consider adding a subtle crown detail at the top if you want a more built-in look. If you decide to go with the routed edge for the shelves let me know because I have a router bit that would work well for that profile. I am free next Saturday if you want an extra set of hands for the assembly.

The cost for materials should be reasonable if you stick with birch plywood and a good quality primer. I priced out a similar setup last year and it came in well under what a custom cabinet shop would charge. The main thing is taking your time with the layout so everything lines up properly. Let me know what you decide on the design and I can help you work through the cut list.

I looked into that question you had about the best way to organize the pantry shelves. The approach that worked for me was grouping items by type and then by frequency of use. I put the things we reach for daily at eye level and stored occasional use items on the higher and lower shelves. You mentioned you wanted to use clear containers for dry goods which is a great idea because you can see when something is running low without having to pull everything out. I found that square containers utilize the space better than round ones because they fit snugly against each other and against the shelf edges. For the labels I recommend using a simple label maker with a removable adhesive so you can update them easily. The baskets you showed me would work well for snack items and smaller packets. I also suggest adding a small step stool to the closet nearby so accessing the top shelf is safe and easy.

Another thing that helped was taking everything out first and wiping down the surfaces before reorganizing. That gave me a chance to check expiration dates and consolidate partial packages. You might also consider adding some adhesive hooks to the inside of the door for measuring spoons and small tools. Let me know if you want me to come over and help with the layout because I think we could get it done in an afternoon.