pantry with hidden entry

Design Notes

WHY HAVE A WALK-IN PANTRY?

Kitchens remain the central hub of the home, the place where we gather to eat, grab a quick snack, make a cup of coffee, or complete homework. This has seen a shift in the way it is designed, including an area that is often forgotten, the pantry. Once viewed as an extra, it has shifted to a must for many homeowners as cooking at home and stocking up on surplus food supplies is trending. There are many types of pantries, but one in particular is rising above them all: the walk-in pantry. This option is more than just a place to store food. It has evolved into an area to store larger items, create a coffee bar for the morning, and even function as a second kitchen. As the kitchen design continues to evolve to meet new design needs, such as more light to let the sunshine in and open spaces, the call for a separate storage and prep space has created the new walk-in pantry as the must-have item for today’s homeowners. Let’s talk about what it is, its benefits, and the things that need to be included in the design.

What Is A Walk-In Pantry?

Whenever we talk about a pantry, the walk-in is what we typically describe: a designated room near the kitchen that stores extra food and even supplies. Often called a butler’s pantry, the idea was to create a space in the home that allowed you to have the extras you needed, like prep space or storage, without encroaching on the kitchen space or hindering its flow. Historically, it was the area where many valuable items, such as silverware and china, were kept under lock and key. Over time, it evolved into a pass-through in the home and eventually into a closed area. Of course, there are still butler pantries as well, but many have adapted their design or even merged. A walk-in pantry is an actual area, typically near the kitchen, that acts like a second space to accomplish similar tasks as the kitchen, along with creative storage solutions for things like dishes and large items. To be considered a true walk-in pantry, it must be an actual area you can walk around or into, not just a large cupboard or cabinet designated for food items.

red pantry

Benefits Of A Walk-In Pantry

There are multiple benefits to having a walk-in pantry located near your kitchen, including:

  • Additional storage space
  • Beverage center
  • Prep space
  • Extra appliances.

While cabinets are wonderful for storing items and keeping everything organized, a walk-in pantry provides a dedicated area to truly have enough space for everything you need in your kitchen. This is where you can incorporate more cabinets, drawers, and shelves to accommodate larger items such as crockpots, stockpots, and holiday dishes. Depending on the size, you can even include an extra sink and countertop to give you more prep space when cooking for guests or larger parties. A walk-in pantry is also the perfect area to include extra appliances like a toaster oven or a second refrigerator for overflow items like leftovers or condiments. You can expand your organization to include paper supplies like napkins and plates so that your kitchen cabinets can hold your family’s more immediate and everyday items. The walk-in pantry was designed to give homeowners the space they need to have ready access to items that are helpful but not used every day.

Secret cabinet door entryway into a pantry

Designing A Walk-In Pantry

When it comes to designing a walk-in pantry, there should be several things factored into the decision process, such as:

  • Location
  • Storage needs
  • Extras

Knowing the answers to this will help your designer create a tailored plan just for you. Location is key to the design since it is important to have quick access to the walk-in pantry, especially if you choose to use it as an extension of your kitchen. You can choose to have a door in place or just utilize a simple open archway leading into the walk-in. A glass door is also a great choice since it offers the best of both worlds. Storage is a critical part of creating a functional walk-in pantry. Think about built-ins, drawers, and shelves. These elements will enable you to maximize your space, simplify organizing things, and have plenty of options for everything you need to put away in these spaces. Your walk-in pantry is also one of the best areas to include the little extras that make life easier for everyone, including the children. Want to install a coffee bar or beverage station? This is the place to do it. You can add a special cabinet with pocket doors that allow you to store cups, sugar, and even creamer neatly away, but available for those hurried mornings. If you are looking for a special way to create a snack area for the kids when they come home from school or whenever they have a craving before dinner, having special drawers or cubbies filled with snacks just for them is the perfect solution. This can also help you control what they eat since you decide what goes inside these drawers. You can limit the sugary food items by placing them in higher areas. Extra drawers are also good to include in the overall design since they are versatile and can store everything from food to supplies. Plus, it is often easier to lift from a drawer than to lift out of a cabinet. Spend time browsing different inspiration sites like Houzz and Pinterest to show your designer exactly what you want to accomplish with your walk-in pantry.

Custom pantry shelving for storage

Why Have A Walk-In Pantry?

From a bonus space to added organization, there are so many reasons to include a walk-in pantry in your kitchen renovation. It allows you to have a functional addition to your home that is more than just a place to store canned goods and baking supplies. The walk-in pantry is a hidden asset for your home that has the greatest potential to serve your family. If you have been looking for a way to maximize functionality in your kitchen, the walk-in pantry is the answer. Take inventory of your needs, write down what you will need to accomplish, and gather some inspirational photos before going to your next design meeting. A good designer can help you turn those ideas into an amazing walk-in pantry that you have been dreaming about for years. Check out these pantries, designed by Greenbrook Design.