Design Notes
Everyone enjoys returning to a well-organized, spacious kitchen after a long day. It’s even better if your kitchen includes a nicely organized pantry! So, what, precisely, is the definition of a pantry? A pantry is a tall container or structure with ample storage space, pull-out shelves or drawers on the inside that can be customized, and access from the front, back, and sides to the stored food. They were popular in the past due to the ease with which they could be used. And we’re happy to see them make a comeback. However, you need to take special care when designing one. It may be costly to replace, so careful planning is required before construction begins. So, here’s exactly how to design the right pantry for your home.
Learn from your past
Having a clear idea of your needs before designing a personalized pantry is a huge advantage. Think about your previous successes. Which things have you tried but found to be unsuccessful? Where has it been lacking? Why do you feel so frustrated? For example, earlier types of pantries were equipped with wire shelves. Wire shelving may work for some people, but we have better options today. Think about what you want to store and how much space you need to design the right pantry for your home.
Designate a place for everything
At the planning stage, allocate specific pantry areas for certain foodstuffs. This design aspect is worth attending to early on since it will influence the depth of your storage and shelves. To make more room in cabinets and on shelves, consider installing a spice rack inside a door, for example, or dedicating an entire shelf to cereal boxes.
By color-coding and labeling these areas, you can make it even easier to find what you need immediately. With some careful planning, you can organize your kitchen like a pro! You can use color and category coordination when planning your pantry layout. Create the most aesthetically pleasing pantry by stacking your shelves in parallel lines and organizing them by color, category, and height.
Don’t overlook the doors
To those at a loss as to how to begin when creating or upgrading a pantry, a great piece of advice is to start with the door. There are many different door styles to choose from. It doesn’t matter how big or small your pantry is. You’ll still need a way to hide the mess that inevitably accumulates in there. Consider your needs carefully before purchasing a new pantry door. You may want to use your doors as chalkboards for the family to leave encouraging words and reminders, or as extra storage space. Also, consider the space. Sometimes, you need to maximize the limited square footage in your kitchen. Therefore, a sliding barn door is the solution.
If your dishwasher is located in your secondary storage space, a door to the pantry might provide a visual and acoustic barrier. It all depends on your specific needs, so make sure to take everything into consideration.
Make the right measurements
Estimating the amount of space you’ll need for a pantry is crucial. Ensure you have sufficient space if you plan to incorporate a kitchen island into your kitchen design or remodeling project. If the area is too tiny, it will be unfit for its original purpose. You can also make the most of your space by repurposing old home storage spaces, such as an underused cabinet.
With a walk-in pantry, you ideally look for a 60cm square space to step, turn, and reach for objects. Once you’ve added shelving, a small but functional room will measure around 80 to 90 centimeters on a side. Furthermore, it would be best to plan door styles as well, since they may need to swing out or slide to fit in a small area.
Use movable storage
In a fixed pantry, food is stored on shelves, racks, and baskets. Here, every inch of available real estate is taken up with food products, so there’s no room for improvisation. Compared to a pantry with a bracket that slides in both directions, you can stock it from either side.
You could incorporate a movable rack to get a complete look at the contents. Here, you can place objects at the front and the back of the revolving trays. It’s common practice to avoid the rear of the pantry shelves while stocking up on groceries. With a pull-out shelf tray, your life will be a lot simpler. The plan aims to maximize the available space in a visually appealing and functional manner.
Consider the placement
The location of a kitchen’s pantry is also crucial. Practical storage is, of course, the central role of the pantry. This ultimately comes down to not just the interior workings of the cabinet, but also where to incorporate it into a kitchen design. A common kitchen layout trick is to put everything close together. Placing your fridge and pantry next to each other is preferable, as it allows your food to be neatly organized in one central location.
Consider the lights
Pantry lighting is often ignored but can completely transform the dynamic of these otherwise windowless rooms. Shelving that is illuminated from behind not only looks nice but also prevents things from getting lost in the rear. The kitchen ambiance can be enhanced with dimmable lighting, which may be influenced by your door style. LED lights on motion detectors are the most convenient option for solid doors. There are many options, so take your pick!
Paint companies like Sherwin-Williams have already announced their amazing Color of the Year choice, Redend Point, which draws from nature’s calm color palette. Benjamin Moore’s choice of Raspberry Blush, though, is closer in shade to the color selection made by the one company everyone in the fashion world looks to, Pantone. Designers and manufacturers alike waited with eagerness to hear Pantone’s color of the year announcement, and for 2023, their choice was Viva Magenta, a color described as a “crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool. This hybrid of red and pink is a reflection of our current world’s relationship of living in both a physical and digital world. More and more homeowners are learning to blend their work and home lifestyles, which have become deeply entwined over the last couple of years. We know that color is much more than a splash of paint on a wall or cabinet; it speaks a language all its own, something Pantone seems to grasp and express well. So what influence will 2023’s Viva Magenta have on us? Let’s explore the answers today.
Greenbrook DesignWhen you first moved into your property, you took the time to come up with the perfect design for a space you’ll call home. However, over time, circumstances change, and so do people. And, now, you’ve found yourself in a situation of wanting to change things up a bit. If you’re wondering how to tell it’s time to redesign your home, sit tight and let us walk you through all the major signs.
Greenbrook DesignHomes are a collection of things we love, and sometimes those things can come from places outside the traditional sources, such as your typical home furnishings stores. Increasingly, designers and homeowners alike are discovering the benefits of antique stores. These places, often thought of as the last stop for items no one else wanted, have become a popular shopping stop for those who want to have something unique in their home and enjoy the thrill of “treasure hunting”. More and more design styles are also embracing vintage finds, seeking to blend them together to create something special, such as the grand millennial and mid-century modern styles. Millennials are also enjoying the freedom to branch out in their design choices, creating a home that is customized to their own personality. Antique shopping can be a wonderful way to uncover those special touches that can make all the difference in your home, so let’s explore how to get started and what to do with all of the treasures you find.
Walker WoodworkingMore designers and contractors are incorporating this secondary space into the kitchen to gain square footage and have an area that works as an extension of the kitchen. Let’s dive deeper into what a butler pantry is and what the benefits are for you.
Walker WoodworkingThis is why we have created multiple door profile styles so that each of our clients can find the one that perfectly tells their story to everyone. At times, they are not able to pinpoint one that speaks to them, which is why we offer custom door styles as well. Several of our clients have opted for mullion cabinet doors, which always add a beautiful touch to their space.
Walker Woodworking 
Greenbrook Design