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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Door to garage through hidden walk-in pantry?

6 years ago

Does anyone have a garage and kitchen layout similar to this or ever seen it done before? I've been playing around in SketchUp lately and liked the idea of having the door to the garage hidden behind the walk-in pantry facade (see screenshot below). With this layout, unloading groceries would be much easier (the alternative would be a small pass-through door like this).

I also like how it frees up the wall space between the garage and foyer which is completely clear and can be used for art, an entryway table and a bench:

The hidden walk-in pantry would be something similar to this:

What are some potential drawbacks to having a layout like this?

Featured Answer

Jamie Ludwig

6 years ago

Very nice idea at first thought BUT I see a several drawbacks. ONE, I would not want the dirt and dust from the garage being tracked through the pantry where all my food is stored. TWO, when you bring in your bags from the grocery you need a "landing area" to put them down to unpack them, so unless that pantry is big enough to allow for clear counter space to do that your idea would not work so well. THIRD, not all the items you bring home from the store are going in the pantry, some items are going to the refrigerator or freezer and cleaning supplies may go under the sink, toilet paper and other supplies may need go to the bathroom, etc. FOURTH, there are many more reasons to go between the garage and the house than unloading groceries. I would not want to track through the pantry for all those other times.

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Comments (9)

miss lindsey (She/Her)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Another consideration is outer clothing. Will there be space in the garage itself for coats, shoes or will you wear all that while you unload groceries? What about kids and their school stuff--do they traipse through the pantry on their way to store all their gear?

It's not a terrible idea. I might like it better if it was a mudroom/pantry arrangement with storage for stuff directly off the garage leading into a "foyer" with pantry closet, leading into the kitchen.
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User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It’s a really terrible idea to make the most used entrance into the home subject to the most wear and tear and breakage. Hidden pantries always seem cool. Until the hardware stops working.

As a whole, it’s a poorly designed kitchen, and mudroom, and pantry. You can do much better for a 160K project. You should be working with a Kitchen Designer.
PRO
SieMatic Boston
6 years ago
Done this before few times as kitchen door front or thin panel on top of the door. Works only with flat door panel and superior hardware. You need to prevent fronts from bowing at that height and your hardware from getting loose with time and use.
Jamie Ludwig
6 years ago
Lindsey, Ely is one of us spoiled California Coast folks...no heavy coats or boots ever needed!!!
miss lindsey (She/Her)
6 years ago
Lol I know. It's hard for me to conceive of a place where you never ever need a jacket.... But his kids probably still have school bags, lunch kits, 50 million papers flying out of portfolios... I guess that's making a bold assumption that there are children here.
Laura Bittel
last year
While I don't have experience with this set up, it's on my must have list. I love the idea of a pantry entrance. I would definitely have another entrance going into the foyer. Also, I agree with the other comment that you will need countertops in pantry to sit the bags on.
ShadyWillowFarm
last year
If the main factor driving the desire to go straight from the garage to the pantry, being able to drop groceries right there in the pantry, it must be a fairly large household with large quantities of groceries coming into the house on a regular basis. So, kids. And lots of kid stuff coming and going. Personally, a mud room or traditional entryway makes more sense that having everyone come and go through the pantry.
Kate
last year
Why a pantry? Just make it a laundry room or mud room. Add a closet or cabinets with doors within the room if you need grocery or appliance storage.

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