What Do I Need in a Kitchen Pantry?
Everyone wants more storage space in their kitchen. But just blindly adding more storage doesn’t always solve the problem: it has to be well planned. That’s why kitchen pantries are on-trend again. They’re an excellent solution for your storage troubles, and are perfect for people who do a lot of cooking, baking, and entertaining.
There are 3 main types of pantries to choose from:
- floor-to-ceiling single shelf
- pull-out shelves
- walk-ins
All three come with benefits, but not all of them will work for you and your kitchen. That’s why we ask the following four questions during the design stage.
1. Is the Pantry Convenient and Accessible?
Pantry location is critical to convenience. We recommend situating it near the food prep area so they’re handy when you need them.
Secondly, it shouldn’t interfere with your movement around the kitchen. The pantry doors are often the biggest cause of decreased flow in the kitchen. A way to fix this problem is to add a sliding door if you have limited floor space.
Finally, you need to make sure that when you use the pantry, everything is easily visible and accessible to you without a lot of unnecessary shuffling of products or standing on your tiptoes.
No matter how big or small your pantry is, you want to make sure it’s convenient to use. Beaverwood, Copperstone Kitchens and Renovations.
2. Is Your Kitchen Pantry Storage Properly Sized and Organized?
To plan for your new kitchen pantry, you need to think about what is going to be kept there, and we’ll design your storage space accordingly.
One of the best ways to figure out how you want your pantry storage sized is to make a list of everything you want to keep in there, and how you want to store it. For example, is your pantry going to house long-lasting vegetables as well as baking supplies? Are you going to have a snack section? What about a place for your coffee?
Storage is one of the best things about kitchen design, because it’s so customizable. Sizing, height, material, style, it’s all up to you! But the last thing you want is to build some storage that doesn’t work with your pantry items. That’s why it’s so important to talk to a designer.
Pull-out pantries are excellent for kitchens with limited space. Springwood, Copperstone Kitchens and Renovations.
Pro Tip: Make sure that you also think about where you want the items in your kitchen pantry to go. Reserve the top shelf and the back of shelves and drawers for things used infrequently, leaving the most accessible spots open for the items you use every day.
Kitchen Pantry Storage Ideas You’ll Want to Explore
There are some excellent ways to take advantage of space in a kitchen pantry:
- Pull-out baskets and drawers for easy access.
- Using the top of a shelf as a prep space – instead of floor to ceiling shelves in a walk-in pantry, a break at approximately waist height still gives you storage space that doubles as food prep space.
- Airtight containers in fun patterns or colours to add some pizzazz and help group together smaller items, or more easily store messy items like flour.
- Hanging shelves on the backs of doors.
- A spice rack, so everything is organized in a single line and within reach when you’re cooking.
- Hanging hooks for pots and pans.
3. Is There Enough Light?
As you’ve no doubt learned through the kitchen design process, there are several different types of light that have different purposes for your kitchen. So what kind of light should you have in your kitchen pantry?
According to HGTV expert Alice Garceau, task lighting is the best option for a kitchen pantry. Tasking lighting refers to the light you work under: it’s the best lighting for food preparation. When placed properly under shelves and on the walls or ceilings of your pantry, it will illuminate everything. That means no dark corners or holding up your phone flashlight to peer at the back shelves!
This kitchen pantry takes advantage of under-shelf lighting so you have complete visibility. Photo credit: East End Country Kitchens, Houzz.
4. Can Appliances Be Stored and Used Here?
Many professionals highly recommend installing electrical outlets in your pantry, particularly if it’s a walk-in. When you think about it, it makes sense to store and use some of your smaller appliances in your pantry.
For example, you could grind your coffee and store it without stirring a step. Or you could find a spot for your seldom-used blender. You could even keep your microwave in a kitchen pantry.
As a bonus, storing and using your appliances in the pantry frees up counter space in your actual kitchen.
So even if you don’t think you’ll ever plug anything in, make sure some electrical outlets are installed and available should you ever change your mind.
Keeping your smaller appliances in the pantry can increase efficiency and counter space! Photo credit: Marie Newton, Closets Redefined, Houzz.
We’ll Ask These Questions and More to Design the Best Kitchen Pantry For Your Needs
These are just a few of the questions we’ll ask when we design not just your kitchen pantry, but your entire kitchen.
We’ll make sure that before we start renovating, we’ve created a design that incorporates your desired features and looks exactly right. So why wait? Contact us today to make an appointment for your free consultation!
