The perfect kitchen pantry – tips, ideas and inspiration

What could be more satisfying than opening a door onto a cool and fragrant space and seeing all your standby cupboard ingredients, spices and occasional implements, all conveniently arrayed and ready for you to get cooking?

A bespoke pantry or larder is one of the most useful things in a kitchen – and one of the most enjoyable to design and use. Here’s a whole cupboard-full of pantry tips and ideas to inspire you…

What exactly is a pantry?

A pantry is a dedicated space in or near the kitchen which is used for storing food and other kitchen items. Traditionally, a pantry consisted of a small walk-in room or a large storage cupboard which was used to store non-perishable foodstuffs such as flour, rice and sugar, as well as spices, jams and pickles, and later on canned meats, fruits and vegetables.

The traditional kitchen pantry has moved on in recent years, and in modern kitchen design terms it generally refers to a built-in storage cupboard or freestanding cabinet within the kitchen, which is used to house essential food and kitchen supplies, and which comes with a range of different features and storage options.

Why include a pantry in your kitchen?

A pantry is a great way of storing your kitchen supplies so that they’re neat, organised and close to hand – so you can cook up a storm, without cluttering up your kitchen. Modern pantry cupboards include some fabulous additional features, allowing you to store everything from food and drink to crockery and utensils, kitchen supplies and even small appliances. A bespoke kitchen pantry can also be a beautiful feature in its own right, adding style and character and making a design statement.

What features can be included in a kitchen pantry?

A bespoke kitchen pantry can be made to fit your exact requirements, and commonly includes some or all of the following features:

• Plenty of shelving – for organising and storing tins, mason jars, canisters and other items; pull-out pantry shelving and carousels allow for easy access and maximises storage capacity
• Drawers and baskets – large drawers are great for storing pots, pans and other larger kitchen items, while smaller drawers and baskets are ideal for items such as kitchen utensils, packets, herbs and spices
• Integrated door racks and spice racks – a pantry cupboard can include built-in door storage for bottles and sauces, as well as customised spice racks
• Small appliance storage – a kitchen pantry can be built to incorporate small appliances such as coffee machines, smoothie makers, microwaves and blenders, and can even include its own worktop and power supply
• Bespoke materials and finishes – a bespoke pantry can be created with your choice of materials, finishes and colour scheme, to suit your kitchen style.

Kitchen pantry ideas and inspiration

A kitchen pantry provides a practical and convenient space for storing foods, implements and appliances, and it can make a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Here are some ideas and inspiration for creating a kitchen pantry that’s practical, beautiful and works for your space and your life…

1) Get organised with personalised pantry storage

The beauty of a bespoke pantry is that all the storage solutions can be tailored just for you and your family – instantly turning a busy working kitchen into an organised, neat and tidy haven.

The customised pantry cupboard above includes accessible shelves, engraved drawer boxes, beautiful wicker pull-out drawers and integrated door storage racks – and all cleverly hidden behind classic in-frame Shaker cabinet doors.

But your pantry could include precisely the things you need… Rows and rows of spice racks? Hidden drinks compartment? Named drawers for each family member? Bespoke cabinetry means you can design storage around what you cook and eat, rather than trying to fit your goods into an off-the-peg unit.

2) Open up space with a freestanding pantry cabinet

A freestanding pantry cupboard is perfect for a traditional, farmhouse-style kitchen – but it can also work really well in a more contemporary space, opening things up in a way that fitted cabinets might not.

The freestanding oak pantry cabinet in the Southwold kitchen, above, creates a bright, airy feel, maintaining the crisp, clean lines of the kitchen and allowing light to flow freely around the space.

3) Use a pantry to maximise storage space in a smaller kitchen

With a pantry cabinet you can maximise the available storage space even in a smaller kitchen. The pantry in the Stamford kitchen above includes customised cabinet storage which is perfect for stashing those packets, bottles and jars, complete with a built-in spice rack – all of which is integrated seamlessly into the contemporary green Shaker units.

With some clever bespoke storage solutions, such as articulated shelving and kitchen storage caddies, you can really make the most of the available space in a modest kitchen, creating a working space that’s practical, well-organised and stylish – while space-saving features such as pocket doors can help to make even the most awkward or compact space easy to access.

4) Create a dedicated space for drinks and appliances

The great thing about bespoke cabinetry is that it offers so much flexibility, which means it can be anything you want it to be. The Houghton kitchen, above, features a beautiful walnut cabinet which opens to reveal a hidden coffee station, complete with shelving, drawers and integrated door storage for storing jugs, mugs, coffee pods and syrups.

5) Showcase your favourite crockery with a glazed pantry cabinet

Although pantries and larders are mostly about food, there’s no reason not to use them for other things too. A pantry with glazed doors can offer the best of both worlds, keeping things neat, tidy and organised, while allowing you to showcase your most beautiful crockery. The freestanding reeded glass pantry in the Harpley kitchen, above, includes plenty of practical shelving, while the doors and brass handles add warmth and texture, and tie in with the rich, earthy tones of the rest of the kitchen.

At Naked Kitchens, we can build beautiful bespoke pantries to suit any size, shape and style of kitchen. Talk to us about making your dream kitchen a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of a bespoke kitchen pantry?

A kitchen pantry can maximise the storage space in your kitchen, helping to make sure everything is neat, organised and easily accessible, and works for you. A bespoke pantry also makes a lovely style statement, and it can be tailored to your exact needs – so whether you have a traditional or contemporary kitchen, you can have a pantry that suits your space.

What can be stored in a pantry?

A modern pantry can be used to store a wide range of items, from frequently used ingredients such as pasta, rice and sugar, to baking supplies, kitchen utensils and gadgets, and even small appliances such as coffee machines and smoothie makers.

What’s the difference between a pantry and a larder?

Traditionally, a pantry was a small walk-in room or a large cupboard that was used to store non-perishable foodstuffs, while a larder was a dedicated cool space used for storing perishable items such as meat, butter and milk. Today the terms tend to refer to a similar type of customised cupboard or freestanding cabinet used for storing essential food and kitchen supplies.

Can you have a pantry in a smaller kitchen?

Absolutely – even a modest kitchen can include dedicated pantry storage, and with a range of customised storage solutions, including articulated shelving and integrated spice racks, you can really make the most of your kitchen space, no matter what size it is.

See also:

Kitchen drinks storage – practical, stylish ideas for wine racks, home bars, coffee stations and more

Kitchen islands - a guide to different styles and ways to use them

What is a bespoke kitchen?

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