Why the hardest working space in your kitchen deserves real attention.
The Case for a Good Pantry
We all want a great pantry. It's one of the most requested features in custom homes right now, and for good reason. A well designed pantry becomes the hub of your kitchen, the place where the real work happens so your main kitchen can stay beautiful and uncluttered.
The question isn't whether to include a pantry. The question is what kind of pantry fits your lifestyle, your cooking habits, and your home.
The Walk In Pantry
This is what most people picture when they dream about their future kitchen. A dedicated room with shelving, counter space, and room to spread out. For clients who love to cook, entertain, or simply keep a well stocked home, a generous walk in pantry is a game changer.
I often design walk in pantries as large as six by eighteen feet, and when you have that kind of space, you can really make it work hard for you. Think open shelving at twelve inches deep so you can see everything at a glance. Counter space for your stand mixer, coffee station, and small appliances. A window to bring in natural light and fresh air. Maybe a dedicated spot for a full size freezer so your main kitchen can have a sleek 36 inch French door refrigerator without sacrificing frozen storage.
One thing I always recommend in a larger pantry is planning your electrical carefully. You want dedicated circuits so you can run the coffee maker, blender, and microwave without flipping a breaker and accidentally shutting off your freezer. It's a small detail that makes a big difference in how the space actually functions day to day.
As for location, I personally love placing the pantry right next to the refrigerator. It creates a natural flow for unloading groceries and prepping meals. That said, plenty of clients prefer their pantry tucked around the corner, and that works beautifully too. It really comes down to how you move through your kitchen and what feels right for your routine.
The Scullery Kitchen
When a walk in pantry grows up, it becomes a scullery. Add a sink, a dishwasher, and perhaps an extra refrigerator, and suddenly you have a full working kitchen behind the scenes. This is ideal for serious entertainers or families who do a lot of cooking and want to keep the mess completely out of sight.
A scullery lets you prep, cook, and clean up without ever cluttering your main kitchen. Guests see a pristine space while all the action happens just steps away. If you have the square footage and the budget, it's one of the most luxurious features you can include in a custom home.
The Butler's Pantry
A butler's pantry serves a different purpose than a walk in pantry, and many homes include both. Traditionally located between the kitchen and dining room, a butler's pantry is about presentation and serving rather than storage and prep.
This is where you store your good dishes, serving pieces, and cutlery. It's a landing zone for setting out food before a dinner party. Many clients include an undercounter beverage refrigerator for drinks, and depending on the layout, the butler's pantry can double as a wet bar. It's a gracious, Old South touch that makes entertaining feel effortless.
The Wall Pantry
Not every home needs a room dedicated to pantry storage, and that's perfectly fine. A wall pantry offers a more restrained approach that works beautifully in smaller footprints or for clients who simply don't need the extra square footage.
This could be a bank of tall cabinets with pull out drawers and adjustable shelving, or a clever setup with sliding barn doors that conceal a full wall of storage. The key is smart organization. When every shelf is visible and accessible, you'd be surprised how much a wall pantry can hold. An appliance garage can also be revealed inside a wall pantry for easy access and to avoid lifting and setting up stand mixers or such.
This option is especially appealing if you prefer a streamlined kitchen without a separate room to maintain, or if your floor plan doesn't naturally accommodate a walk in space.
Making It Your Own
The best pantry is the one that fits your life. Maybe that's a spacious scullery where you can cook for a crowd. Maybe it's a cheerful walk in with open shelves, a big window, and your favorite coffee setup. Maybe it's a beautifully organized wall of cabinets that keeps everything within arm's reach.
When we sit down to plan your home, I'll ask a lot of questions about how you cook, how you shop, and how you entertain. From there, we'll figure out exactly what your pantry needs to do and design a space that does it beautifully.
If you're dreaming about your future kitchen and wondering what kind of pantry might be right for you, I'd love to help you think it through.