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!
There are many elements that contribute to creating a welcoming home, including color, patterns, decorative pieces, and furniture. All of this comes together to paint an inviting space where guests leave feeling like family. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start or what pieces work best together to create the perfect look. Let’s talk about five ways to create a welcoming atmosphere in your home.
Walker Woodworking Does your home need some renovations to bring it back up to speed for your specific lifestyle? Are you ready to transform certain areas into a more functional and purposeful space? Our experienced design team has assisted hundreds of clients in creating new areas that function exactly as they need. How can we help you prioritize your needs through design? Let us help you find the areas of priority in your home!
Greenbrook DesignAt the heart of any design work is the chance to tell a story—the story of those who live there. Our home is at the core of who we are. It is our grounding, the place we can truly let our hair down and be ourselves. It’s where memories are not just made, but remembered and passed down to the next generation. Homes are meant to be special—a symbol to all who enter of what truly matters to us. That’s why the design choices we make should be influenced by who we are, where we came from, and how our unique experiences shape us. Across the world, people’s design choices are deeply rooted in culture. But in today’s ever-connected world, we’re also seeing a beautiful blending of cultures—where traditional elements mix with modern influences, and regional styles merge to reflect global inspirations.
Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to brighten up our homes at any time of day. It has been great to eliminate shadows in areas where there are limited windows or even none at all, and allowed us to achieve more in a 24-hour period. Light fixtures have also developed from being just a practical tool into works of art, giving homeowners the chance to express themselves and add a touch of elegance to any room. Changing out a light fixture can completely alter or transform a room, and with so many sizes and styles, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. As we approach the close of another year, new home lighting trends for 2022 could provide helpful information for selecting your next light fixture that will perfectly illuminate your home.
Greenbrook DesignEvery area of the home has a purpose, a specific role to play in running a house smoothly, whether that is the living room where we relax or the bathroom where we get ready for the day. The kitchen is a place of preparation, the space where we go to cook for our family, but it is the dining room where it is served and enjoyed. This is the space within the home that gives families a designated area to gather around and dine together, as well as for activities like homework, bills, and fun things like family game night. It is a multifunctional space, which means it deserves some extra attention when selecting decor pieces. Let’s talk about the many elements you can use to give the dining room the love and beauty it deserves.
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