COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT KITCHEN PANTRY DESIGN
By definition, a kitchen pantry is a place of storage. Food, beverages, extra dishes, and even household cleaning supplies are kept there. Storage is an essential part of the kitchen, and a lack of storage can cause the space to look cluttered and cramped. The pantry can provide what is needed while keeping the kitchen looking great. In this blog, we will discuss the common questions about the design process and what to include in a pantry design that provides the solutions to keep your kitchen functional and running smoothly.
Where to put the kitchen pantry?
Even though the pantry is in the kitchen, the question of where is important. Do you place it near the stove, with the other cabinets, or in its own room? We do, however, recommend that you complete the kitchen’s overall placement before choosing the pantry location because until you know where certain items will be, such as the stove and sink, you won’t know the best location.
Kitchen and pantry layout
Once the location has been picked, the layout will be next and will be determined by your needs. Before a design meeting, it is important to know what you want or plan to put in your pantry. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you have a lot of dry goods, such as cereals, snacks, and baking supplies? If so, you need to include shelving.
- Have extra serving platters and paper products. Drawers can help keep it all organized, both traditional and wired.
- Countertop appliances like a kitchen aid or blender. Varying shelf widths and heights can store these more oversized items and keep your counter clutter-free.
Once you know the “what,” you can talk with your designer about accomplishing the “how”.
Kitchen pantry size
Size is another factor in the design. You may not have a large area to work with, so utilizing your space to the fullest is important. There are several options, including a wall-to-wall and freestanding pantry. Maybe you do have more space and can consider doing a walk-in pantry or even a separate room to give you a more versatile space. View a project where the pantry was a multifunctional room near the kitchen.
Shelving for kitchen pantry
Shelves provide a way to divide items according to use and purpose, such as:
- Baking supplies
- Canned goods
- Boxed items
- Beverages
Remember what items you want to store inside your pantry will help your designer know what types of shelves to include in the final design. With a custom pantry, you can have varying sizes and depths on your shelves to create the perfect storage.
kitchen pantry with drawers
The organization is the key to almost any space, and the kitchen pantry is no different. Small items like loose snacks or tea boxes do better when contained in a drawer. They will be easier to find and use. Open bin drawers, like wired ones, are another great option because you can store non-perishable items such as potatoes and onions or even paper products and snacks. Varying depths and widths are usually a good idea. When planning your design, don’t forget to add a few drawers.
Kitchen pantry and storage
Storage is a valuable commodity in the kitchen, and the pantry can provide you with a place to put all those rarely used items, like your grandma’s vintage serving platter or the extra-large crockpot. Sometimes, mops, brooms, buckets, and other household cleaning supplies can be stored conveniently close while still out of sight. Planning for storage is a must when designing your kitchen pantry. View a gallery of other kitchen pantry designs and get inspired.
Multifunctional space
The pantry is more than just a place to store food. It can serve as a multifunctional space and serve various needs. When more function is involved, it may be referred to as a “Scullery.”
- Kitchen pantry with wine rack. It makes sense to store wine in the pantry since that is where we get the crackers.
- Kitchen pantry with sink. An additional sink in the pantry can provide a separate prep space, especially if you keep certain vegetables in it.
- Prep space. Throwing parties is easier when you have several areas to prep, and having a designated space in your pantry can provide that.
- Pet area. If you plan on storing your pet food in the pantry, why not turn it into a feeding area?
Kitchen and pantry lighting
This is an overlooked area of the design but one that plays a key role in the space, after all, if you can’t see your items you won’t know what you have. Some great options include:
- Task lighting
- Canned lighting
- Under-cabinet lighting
Good lighting ensures that you can easily find every item in your pantry, spending less time looking and more time cooking. No matter the size of your kitchen pantry, make sure to include lighting in the design.
It’s all in the design.
The kitchen pantry plays a key role in the day-to-day operations of the kitchen and deserves special consideration. It is a hidden gem that stores, hides, and organizes everything in one convenient place.
