9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry
Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin
Susan Redman
January 3, 2020
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
Some pantry design dilemmas don’t seem obvious at the time of planning but become apparent later. Doors that open inward onto shelving, badly arranged racks and compartments, small cubbies with no room for appliances, a lack of hooks for towels and aprons, and poorly positioned lighting are all mistakes that can be circumvented. Use this quick guide to address the most obvious blunders before they happen. The suggestions may also inspire you with some fresh design ideas.
1. Which Way Will the Door Open?
A common mistake when planning a pantry is installing a door that gets in the way. When space is at a premium, the best options are sliding or folding doors. An outward-opening door gives more room for pantry shelves and is the next best option — but only if there is plenty of space to swing the door wide.
A door that opens inward can work, but be aware that it might make an already small space smaller. It can also compromise the space behind the door of your pantry, limiting the amount of stuff you can store there.
Find a kitchen designer near you
A common mistake when planning a pantry is installing a door that gets in the way. When space is at a premium, the best options are sliding or folding doors. An outward-opening door gives more room for pantry shelves and is the next best option — but only if there is plenty of space to swing the door wide.
A door that opens inward can work, but be aware that it might make an already small space smaller. It can also compromise the space behind the door of your pantry, limiting the amount of stuff you can store there.
Find a kitchen designer near you
2. Will There Be Enough Light?
Another typical mistake is to have either poor lighting in the pantry or none at all. Your pantry will more than likely be built without a window or with just a small one. One way to make sure that you have enough light in there is to install quality LED lighting. Or, if your home is a single-floor dwelling, put in a skylight. Also, the light switch should be reachable and in an accessible spot by the pantry door.
Shop for flush-mount ceiling light fixtures
Another typical mistake is to have either poor lighting in the pantry or none at all. Your pantry will more than likely be built without a window or with just a small one. One way to make sure that you have enough light in there is to install quality LED lighting. Or, if your home is a single-floor dwelling, put in a skylight. Also, the light switch should be reachable and in an accessible spot by the pantry door.
Shop for flush-mount ceiling light fixtures
3. How Can Top Shelves Be Accessed?
There is no point in planning a pantry with floor-to-ceiling storage if you can’t access the items on the top shelf. If your pantry is large enough, park a ladder on a sliding rail to access the infrequently used items on the top shelves. Store things you regularly use farther down.
If your pantry is small, store a step ladder in a handy spot for easy access. Inexpensive plastic single steps also can be folded flat and hung on a hook.
There is no point in planning a pantry with floor-to-ceiling storage if you can’t access the items on the top shelf. If your pantry is large enough, park a ladder on a sliding rail to access the infrequently used items on the top shelves. Store things you regularly use farther down.
If your pantry is small, store a step ladder in a handy spot for easy access. Inexpensive plastic single steps also can be folded flat and hung on a hook.
One way to see what is on the upper shelves of your pantry without clambering up a step ladder is to install glass shelving or wire racks on the upper levels.
4. What Budget Materials Can Be Used to Get a More Polished Look?
A walk-in pantry doesn’t need to be fancy (it is, after all, behind a door and not in view). But the shelves and cabinets should be made of a sturdy material with a finish that complements the rest of the kitchen.
Solid polished wood shelves or powder-coated metal racks are attractive options. A cheaper alternative is engineered wood. Plywood is strong and looks contemporary, especially when left in its raw state or given a light stain.
A walk-in pantry doesn’t need to be fancy (it is, after all, behind a door and not in view). But the shelves and cabinets should be made of a sturdy material with a finish that complements the rest of the kitchen.
Solid polished wood shelves or powder-coated metal racks are attractive options. A cheaper alternative is engineered wood. Plywood is strong and looks contemporary, especially when left in its raw state or given a light stain.
Plywood shelves look especially smart when the surfaces are laminated in black, white or a color and the ply edges are left exposed. This helps imbue the space with a Scandinavian or Japanese aesthetic.
5. Will the Position of the Pantry Help or Hinder Kitchen Traffic and Cooking?
You not only need your pantry to be well illuminated, you also need to get in and out of your pantry quickly when cooking. If the pantry is positioned in such a way as to hinder the flow of kitchen traffic, you’ll have to walk too far to grab essential ingredients. For that reason, it’s important that your pantry is near where you are preparing food.
Also consider the process of stocking your pantry and where it will be in relation to counters and tables. A kitchen countertop that is just outside a pantry will prove convenient for setting down groceries. Its close proximity also makes using it as a sorting station from which to fill pantry shelves extremely handy.
You not only need your pantry to be well illuminated, you also need to get in and out of your pantry quickly when cooking. If the pantry is positioned in such a way as to hinder the flow of kitchen traffic, you’ll have to walk too far to grab essential ingredients. For that reason, it’s important that your pantry is near where you are preparing food.
Also consider the process of stocking your pantry and where it will be in relation to counters and tables. A kitchen countertop that is just outside a pantry will prove convenient for setting down groceries. Its close proximity also makes using it as a sorting station from which to fill pantry shelves extremely handy.
6. How Will Shelves be Arranged So Common Items Are Easy to See?
Obviously put the items you use the most on the shelves that are in front of you when you walk into the pantry. Make sure the shelves are not too deep, and that you can see everything at once by placing smaller items at the front and larger items at the back. Heavy dishware and servingware can be stored on shelves that are wider and lower down.
Obviously put the items you use the most on the shelves that are in front of you when you walk into the pantry. Make sure the shelves are not too deep, and that you can see everything at once by placing smaller items at the front and larger items at the back. Heavy dishware and servingware can be stored on shelves that are wider and lower down.
A common error is to line the pantry with shelves from top to bottom with no break. A small and wider shelf at counter height not only can accommodate larger, taller items and appliances, but also can provide an extra surface for food prep.
7. Does the Pantry Need Any Special Features?
It’s really only in the planning stage that you can incorporate special features that will become permanent but useful fixtures in your walk-in pantry. Special features could include pullout baskets for root vegetables, narrow cubbies for large platters, and spice or wine racks.
It’s really only in the planning stage that you can incorporate special features that will become permanent but useful fixtures in your walk-in pantry. Special features could include pullout baskets for root vegetables, narrow cubbies for large platters, and spice or wine racks.
8. How Can Free Wall Space Be Used Effectively Without Overcrowding the Pantry?
Every bit of space can be used to solve a storage problem, and a pantry wall is no different. Whatever you decide to do with it, keep it simple and slim. Ideas include hooks for aprons and utensils, and a household calendar to note important family events. A chalkboard painted on a section of the wall could also serve this purpose.
Every bit of space can be used to solve a storage problem, and a pantry wall is no different. Whatever you decide to do with it, keep it simple and slim. Ideas include hooks for aprons and utensils, and a household calendar to note important family events. A chalkboard painted on a section of the wall could also serve this purpose.
9. What Larger Items Will Be Stored, and Where?
Appliances and cookware dishes and pans often are kept in the pantry instead of in a kitchen drawer or cabinet, mostly because it’s easier to access them. To accommodate these bulky items, create some large but uniformed cubbies.
Appliances and cookware dishes and pans often are kept in the pantry instead of in a kitchen drawer or cabinet, mostly because it’s easier to access them. To accommodate these bulky items, create some large but uniformed cubbies.
Tell us: Are you planning a pantry or hope to update one? Please share your ideas in the Comments.
More:
7 Steps to Pantry Perfection
11 Ways to Wake Up a Walk-In Pantry
Get more pantry design ideas
Find home design professionals in your area
Shop for your kitchen project
More:
7 Steps to Pantry Perfection
11 Ways to Wake Up a Walk-In Pantry
Get more pantry design ideas
Find home design professionals in your area
Shop for your kitchen project
J.S.Brown & Co. is an award winning, full service Design / Build remodeling contractor with more than three... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Related Stories
Kitchen Backsplashes
30 Bold and Beautiful Range Backsplashes
Get ideas for eye-catching tile and stone backsplashes inside stove alcoves and behind cooktops
Full Story
Kitchen Design
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
Make sure your new kitchen not only looks good but also functions beautifully
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Map Out Your Kitchen Remodel’s Scope of Work
Help prevent budget overruns by determining the extent of your project, and find pros to help you get the job done
Full Story
Kitchen Storage
Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
By tidgboutique
Consider Lazy Susans, pullouts and more to maximize storage
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Get inspired by the warm neutral palettes, ample storage and inviting islands in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
Houzz TV
5 Trends for Kitchen and Bath Products in 2024
See fascinating new features for showers, tubs, faucets and more launched at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
By tidgboutique
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Find Your Kitchen Style
If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, here’s how to find inspiration and start narrowing down your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Design
15 Stylish Kitchen Range Hood Ideas
Get ideas for hood shapes, sizes and looks that can elevate a kitchen’s design while ridding it of bad air and odors
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Follow these start-to-finish steps to achieve a successful kitchen remodel
Full Story
Thank you and yes, in new Zealand every mm counts when you have a 4mx4m space with a pillar in the middle !!
Greetings!
Thank you for featuring our pantry in your informative article -
Cheers across the miles!
Marty Rhein
We renovated an old Queenslander and made the old bathroom into a walkin pantry that suited our needs. Measured the heights and lengths of my containers and made it to suit. We sold that house and the only thing I miss is THAT pantry. Oh, and the wrap around verandahs but that's another story. Everything had a place and everything was in its place, even hardly used things like shoelaces had their place. I don't have that advantage now and rummage through drawers looking for less used things, like SHOELACES. We are moving soon and a pantry to our specs is a MUST. This time I will add lots of bench space and a sink! Indulgent I know as I didn't need it before. Do I really need it? Just the shelf space would do me fine.