Is a corner pantry the best use of this space?
I've read a lot about the pros and cons of corner pantries, and I'm wondering if a corner pantry makes the most sense in my space. Right now I have a walk-in, not in the corner, and what I love about it is the flexibility of the space. I love organizing and I've had different set ups over the years. What I don't like is that only one person can access the shelves at a time. There's also wasted space because the door opens in against one wall. And in the new kitchen, I'm concerned about the door swinging out getting in the way. I'm thinking that the kitchen will feel more open to have floor to ceiling cabinets instead of the corner pantry. But I'm scared to give up all those open shelves!
I don't need any extra counter space, so if I didn't do a corner pantry I'd be looking at tall cabinets.
Here's the layout with dining area, living room, hall, closet and powder room included:
*Edited to add better pictures
Comments (14)
Tamara
3 years agomelle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
3 years agoRelated Discussions
How to use dedicated pantry space best?
Comments (9)We have a pantry with strong fixed shelves. I didn't want adjustable shelves because I don't think they are as strong, and honestly, I generally set my shelves once and then never ever adjust them. What we did was figure out what we would store in there, and then make the shelf heights fit. For instance, we keep large cereal boxes in there, so we made a shelf that would accommodate those. We made lots of space between the top shelf and the ceiling so we could stack things that are seldom used up there, like big plastic bowls I use for chips etc. when we have outdoor parties in the summer. On the other side, we made a shelf that is more of a table. We keep an extra microwave here. My husband insisted that he wanted a second microwave because there are times when you want to warm something up in one and cook something in another at the same time. I refused to have a second microwave in my kitchen, so we put it in the pantry. We don't use it often, but we do occassionally use it, and it has come in handy at parties, etc. We have a large space under that shelf for bulk items, like giant packs of papers towels from Costco, etc. Over that shelf, we have hooks for hanging barbecue tools, some other tools that are a bit too big for keeping in the kitchen drawers. I also keep small appliances that I don't use often, like my crockpot, etc. on the shelves, paper goods, etc. Things that I don't use all the time, but I want easily accessible when it is time to use them. I have a swinging door into my pantry. It has a handle so I can either push it in, or pull it out, depending on what I am carrying etc. And the hinge has what my KD called a positive stop, so I can push it open, or pull it open, and it will stay open. It is perfect. I also have a window in my pantry, which is a nice feature, I think. I don't always have to turn the light on, I can just dash in and out. I have never taken pictures of the inside of my pantry. I'll have to do that one of these days....See MoreHow best to trick this space out as a pantry?
Comments (19)If cost is no concern I'd be looking at the vertical pullouts that were posted above. If cost is a concern, I think I would do shallow shelves, around 4" deep on the sides. They would be deep enough for 1 can, nothing would get lost, everything would be in sight. I'd place these shelves rather close together. I might leave 1 or two of the shelves farther apart, say for ketchup bottles or other tall bottles that you'd want to store. Space the rest of the shelves so that there is just room enough for the height of 1 can on each shelf. I'd do the shelves in the back somewhere between 12" and 15" deep. I would not want the shelves to be 20" deep. It's too deep. Things will get lost in the back and you will have trouble retrieving items because things will probably get stored in layers. Have you posted a floorplan? The creative minds on here might see some other solutions for your space....See MoreHelp how do I best use a 9x9 space for an office?
Comments (21)The furniture and walls blend together to make the room feel larger than it is. It would look very different if that were, for instance, cherry or mahogany against off-white walls. I once also had a tiny square office, with a corner cut out for a closet. My husband had the wall to the right of the door, me to the left. My 4+' desk filled the little wall between the closet and the window, with printer, computer tower, and all office supplies tidily on shelves in the closet. I don't normally like to face a wall, but the outside was right there with a little glance to the right. An orange tree with honeysuckle growing through it was just outside, so close that (without screens) I could have reached out and touched the butterflies and hummers flitting around several months a year. Both were lessons I took from that little rental of things that really worked nice for me. Even including facing a wall in the right conditions. Here farther north, it's a bird bath under a small three the birds take their turns from....See MoreBest use of 8' wall: tub/shower + remaining space?
Comments (6)emilyam819 re moving the toilet, I've thought about that and I love the idea for the reasons you state, but I'm not sure it would meet the code requirement for space on either side of the toilet. If it were possible, I could have a decorative and useful radiator/towel warmer under the window where the toilet is now....See MoreTamara
3 years agoTamara
3 years agomelle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoTamara thanked melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
mama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years agoI don't hate a corner pantry unless it's between the sink and range/cooktop but your aisles seem narrow, so having the pantry take up floor space is less than ideal. A couple of options, other than just a tall pantry cabinet, would be a side-loading shallow pantry cabinet to the right of the fridge, and a corner appliance pantry with corner susan. Also, I would move the cooktop over, if possible, to provide wider drawers on each side.
The space available for the aisles at each end will be about 7', so I'd skimp on the aisle nearer the windows and give more space to the fridge aisle. Any chance the fridge could be recessed into the area behind it?
Tamara thanked mama goose_gw zn6OHartistsharonva
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoI think corner walk in pantries are fine when designed correctly inside.
In this layout it seems ok.
I am more concerned about the walk around spacing. It's important to be able to stand in front of the oven to be able to use both hands to pull out heavy hot items. The landing space will be the island behind in this layout.
With that said, here's a diagram to check the recommended functional, comfortable spacing in designing the kitchen.
48 in front of appliances have to open & stand in front of to access suggested.
Tamara thanked artistsharonvaemilyam819
3 years agoTamara
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoTamara
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoThank you, everyone! We played around on the design per your suggestions, and I love it :-)
Now the kids won't have to come into the kitchen to get snacks, and I'll have a very convenient place to put my much-used Instant Pot. Not to mention better flow, and I like the look of it better.
The space above the wall oven will be cabinets that we'll open and slide in when we're using the microwave or coffee maker.
traci_from_seattle