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!
In our final part of the selection tips series, we want to focus our attention on lighting. Good lighting can make a difference in the room; no one enjoys struggling to see around the shadows cast by insufficient light or the glare of one placed too low. Here’s what should be on your list of things to look for when selecting your lighting.
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Walker Woodworking 
Greenbrook Design