Will you use the bling butler pantry/dry bar? If so, definitely go for it.

Cp I think we would use it mainly for the wine/beverage cooler aspect. As you know living in Florida we go through a ton of beverages! So that part would be handy outside of the main kitchen area. however with that said we do have a full size fridge in garage (about 15 steps from that area) which is fully stocked w/ beverages we use all the time and couldn't live without! Thinking of our last Christmas party I set up a bar area next to the fridge in the kitchen as there was no other place to set up. It was in my work triangle as I really didn't have another place to set it up Ugh! Even tho I had all the food prepped people wanted to gather there where I was still working...no thanks...get a drink and leave please! lol. We don't have a lot of parties so not a major deal. With the bling pantry and glass door option I could probably only store glass ware and dishes to look nice but I currently have all that in a buffet in dining room so not a must but an extra. I could do some glass doors and some solid doors for more practical storage so I could keep snacks there? so it could be snacks and drinks, bar area when needed and even coffee? The lower cabinets could not be drawers as he said we need to keep more shallow than standard so door cabinets only. And all solid doors would be the most practical and maybe look nicer than the double doors ?

This is nice with some solid doors

Thoughts?

I think it makes a lot more sense to have a MW in the kitchen, where it's needed, and a wine fridge not in the kitchen, since it probably isn't necessary to cooking (but then, I don't know how you cook ;).

I am hung up enough on drawers that I'm not sure I'd do cabinetry if I had to have doors on the lowers.

The bottom line is this: what is your greatest need for that space? You use (and love) the pantry closet as it is; do you have an equally convenient/lovable place to put everything in that closet? If you can store everything currently in the closet in the kitchen or the new pantry cabinets, and you have a spare $3000 in the budget, and it will make you happy to see and use it, then go for it.

I'm convinced that the most important part of a kitchen project is to figure out where you are going to put everything when it's done. The exercise often points to the best solution.

Ann I agree about the MW placement better in the kitchen I just didn't really want it in an upper as I was taking it from OTR and I think I was tired of looking at it altogether. An option was the drawer MW in a lower (I know cpartist liked hers there) and I didn't mind that option but I wanted the wine/bevarge cooler more and now if I go with this new suggestion I could have both! And probably more logically placed. I use the MW to reheat, melt butter, and defrost mostly.

I love drawers too! I only had 5 top drawers and the new kitchen will have 13 drawers so looking forward to that! I would so love drawers there but I don't think it will work ... I'll ask. I was think I'm one cabinet I could do an extra trash since the other will be in the island.

Yes, I do love that double door pantry space however yes I do have a space very nearby that could work just not quite as big. It's half the size with only one bifold door. But not really used for anything much and probably just needs to be cleaned out and purged or relocated.

Here is that space:

For what it's worth I will still also have my tall pantry next to fridge that was not completely utilized as well. I will also have twice as much storage in island as it's larger and an additional drawer bank and 4 cabinets from old kitchen installed in garage roughly 36 x 42. So I think I will have enough storage. I just can't think what should go where right now.

And yes we do have an extra $3K to do it and everybody thinks it would be a cool addition but I don't want to do it for the "cool". I want it to be practical as well.

Ann I think you gave me some homework :) I do need to figure out where things could go. I think I'm a little overwhelmed right now with everything torn up. I can't think straight. Ugh.

I think it could be functional and look really great, as long as you have plenty of pantry storage elsewhere. I would definitely spend the extra 3k if I had space for a dedicated built in bar/beverage center.

In my kitchen remodel process, I started with the basics: near the stove I needed potholders, cooking utensils, spices, pots and pans. Near the sink I needed cutting boards and colanders. Next, large and odd-sized things: small appliances, cookie sheets, canning pot. One of my remodel goals was to minimize countertop clutter, so canisters of sugar/flour/rice etc had to go in a drawer or behind a door. Same with knives. Dishes near the DW. I don't have a pantry, so I needed to figure out where to put food. Then there are standard kitchen things: towels and dishcloths, bags and wraps, rolling pins, containers for leftovers, cookbooks.

Be mindful of how often you use things. A soup kettle or punch bowl used a few times a year doesn't need to take up half a drawer next to the stove; it can go over the fridge or in the pantry (or in the basement).

In my old kitchen, there were some things that drove me crazy, so I was determined to solve those problem areas. I had a desk in a small nook; my purse and the tote I bring to work every day sat on the floor under the desk. Extra 12-packs of beer and pop were piled up on the floor next to the fridge. We don't use bottled water, so we have a large collection of refillable water bottles. My new kitchen has dedicated cabinet space for beverages, a shelf for water bottles, and a purse cabinet! These may not be important to others, but they are among my favorite things in the new kitchen. Oh, and outlets inside a cabinet, so I can keep chargers behind closed doors instead of on the kitchen counter.

Melis918 thanks for your feedback would you do all glass door uppers?

Ann sounds like we store most of our items in the same place as I have done in previous homes because it makes sense :) however this house has even more cabinets, taller cabinets and a pantry! I've never used all this space for the items I have. DH and I are neat nicks and don't like extra stuff or clutter either. I too don't keep much on counter. Most of my stuff will go right back where it was cuz it just makes sense but I guess I'm struggling to figure out where I would go with all the stuff in my current double door pantry as it doubles as office/school/gift & card supplies. I'm thinking if I could make that smaller closet pictured above dedicated for all those things that would be great! Then work the rest into my kitchen. Most of the issues you had work very well here. Plenty of storage! One thing I never considered was the hidden outlet! Good!

If I went ahead with this idea what type of cabinets do you think I should do in the new space?

If anyone has a great butlers pantry or dry bar please share your pics!

Mdln I love that pantry and it is very similiar to what I have now! I have that pic saved on my phone for organizational inspiration:) I just don't have the pocket doors and mine does not step in. Do you think I should keep that or go with a more blingy butlers pantry/dry bar with cabinets that match the kitchen ?

For me, I agree with your comment, "loved using that area to store all kinds of things behind those big closed doors."

I like being able to open 1-2 doors and see everything stored in the area.

I find those dry bar areas like the old desks that were put in kitchens, an idea looking for a purpose. jmho

Also most regret the "last minute" impulse type changes I made to my rebuild. Wish I stuck with my original plans in several areas. Unfortunately, got caught up in the "it would be so easy to do now" thinking and made changes that I now regret.

Mdln I hear you that's why I'm struggling! I do love it as is and it works great now. I have see butlers pantrys are making a comeback and wondered if this was just a fad too like the desks in kitchens or a wet bar in the great room lol...I've had both! The one thing I keep coming back to though is that the microwave in the kitchen and the wine cooler out makes better sense no?

Can the wine cooler go in the pantry closet without making the change? Either way you'd have to put an outlet on that back wall.

For me, I prefer both wine cooler & MW in the kitchen.

Have you considered giving up your "tall pantry next to fridge that was not completely utilized" and use that space for the wine cooler & MW?

If the closet stays as a pantry and the doors stay, I wouldn't put the wine cooler in it -- they give off heat and the last thing you want in a pantry is heat! Pantries should be cool and dry.

It would be even worse with 6-panel doors instead of louvered doors (which provide some ventilation for your pantry.)

There's a thread about pantry ventilation from a few years ago....

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2694544/i-have-a-pantry-suggestion-ventilate

.

Could we see where the pantry closet is in relation to the Kitchen and the rest of the house? Is it in a layout thread somewhere? (I'll look.)

I'll be honest - I kind of like the idea, but only if it's located where it would be functional. You say it's b/w the Kitchen & DR...it may actually work in that location, but I'd have to see it.

ETA: I didn't see a "final" design, but I did find your first draft. I don't think that location would work for a MW. It might for a wine cooler, but not the MW.

Ann I didn't ever think of that and true about the outlet ...I'll run it by DH.

Mdln I too would prefer both in the kitchen and had thought to put both right of fridge but thought it would look too "appliancy" (that's not a word). I also did think of the left side but that is a walk way into the kitchen and could see a problem with the doors open and blocking the walkway from either MW or cooler.

buehl that's true about the heat didn't think of that! My current pantry is in a wide hall between kitchen and dining. I'll try and get a better pic.

I'm glad you like the idea! I think it could be very nice :)

so yes to clarify the wine cooler would be placed in the existing closet pantry but that would be opened up and surrounded with cabinetry and the MW would be a drawer type to right of fridge. How does that sound?