If the kitchen is considered the “heart of the home,” the pantry could be considered the unsung hero of that heart. Rarely discussed in the popular conversations around cabinets and countertop selections, the pantry’s design makes a big impact on kitchen function.

Today’s Pantry Trends Optimize Functional Storage & Accessibility

Whether you have a dedicated walk-in pantry, or will be thoughtfully converting upper- and lower-cabinet boxes into pantry spaces, the following trends will help you ensure the pantry’s contents are as organized and accessible as possible.

Optimize the pantry’s design

Regardless of where your pantry lives, you want to make sure it takes up a proportional amount of space in your kitchen with regards to how often you cook and the food products, dry goods, snack items, etc., you typically have on hand.

The pantry should be designed and organized in a way that features the ingredients used most often when you cook or bake. It may be the ideal spot to store other daily use items, such as pet foods and treats or easy-access-snacks for little ones and kids on the go.

Safety and accessibility are also considerations, depending on who accesses the pantry or if you are planning to age-in-place.

Optimize storage features, especially in cabinet-based pantries

If you have a smaller kitchen and your pantry lives in the cabinets, we recommend taking those cabinets as high as possible. Using a combination of pull-out drawers, shelves and customized storage inserts, you’ll optimize the pantry’s contents – and we’ll help you organize it in terms of what you use the most and least to establish what lives where.

Is there room for a butler’s pantry?

Butler’s pantries are increasingly popular in larger homes and for those who love to entertain on a regular basis. You may find you have more room to include a butler’s pantry if you re-design your dining room and kitchen space into a more open-concept kitchen plan, which is becoming the norm these days.

Unify the storage containers

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, this is a great time to do an inventory and then purchase a streamlined set of storage containers to keep the pantry contents looking organized and unified. Glass jars are great because they’re see-through and come in a range of sizes from gallon- or half-gallon options for bulk pantry items to smaller jelly jar sized options for extra herbs and spices. Baskets are handy for keeping individually packaged snacks and lunch items together, as are clear, plastic storage bins.

Use a favorite bold or bright color in the walk-in

Have a walk-in pantry? Have some fun and paint it in a bold or bright color you love but aren’t interested in as a full-time wall color in the kitchen. It keeps the pantry feeling fresh and energized, and allows you to have a brave and daring bit of fun.

Take it up to the ceiling if you can

Again, walk-in pantries are such a gift because you can store so many things out of sight from the rest of the kitchen. If you can, take your cabinets or open shelves all the way up to the ceiling to optimize every square-inch of storage space. A ladder on wheels, connected to a rail at the top, makes it easier to access the items that are out of reach.

Select durable materials

Your pantry will take a beating, and it rarely receives the same level of cleaning and maintenance attention that the rest of the visible, livable kitchen does. For this reason, you’re wise to select durable materials and finishes that are easily cleaned and can handle heavy wear-and-tear, year after year.

The team at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited can help you design and build the kitchen of your dreams, including a pantry that incorporates all of the latest trends in both function and form. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

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