Rethinking the Pantry

May 14
2 min read

Updated: May 15

These days, most of the kitchens that are built feature an open floor plan, with few, if any, walls separating the kitchen from the home’s living space. Clients say that everyone ends up in the kitchen anyway, so why not make it a part of the living area? There’s logic to this argument, but on the other hand, the absence of walls means that the kitchen will have fewer upper cabinets for storage, and any clutter in the kitchen that can’t be hidden behind a door will always be in plain view.

The practical solution for most clients is an upgraded pantry. Traditionally, pantries have been small back rooms with utilitarian shelves for bulk storage of food and maybe a place to store a mop and a broom. But now, the pantry is an extension of the kitchen, with work surfaces and better storage options, along with cabinetry and finishes to match.

It’s an easy upgrade to sell, even for homes without an open floor plan; 85% of home buyers consider a kitchen pantry “essential” or “desirable,” the National Association of Home Builders reports.

Food and supply storage is still the primary function of a pantry, with versatile storage a must. Contractors can build in adjustable full-height shelving in depths ranging from as narrow as 4 inches for single cans to 16 inches deep for bulky items like laundry detergent. Try to optimize the shelving layout to eliminate blind corners (where access to shelves on one wall is blocked by shelving on an adjacent wall) and maximize floor space.

Read the entire article at:jlconline.com