20 Impeccable Pantries Fit for a Dream House
Food storage, elevated.
The pantry is often the most hidden space in the house, but that doesn't mean you should neglect it. In fact, smart storage solutions and savvy design can make life a lot easier (and snacking a lot more stylish). Whether you have a walk-in pantry that needs some love or you're looking for clever ways to store your food out in the open, you'll find an example here to lead the way. Read on for 20 pantry storage ideas so fabulous, you'll want to move right in. Preferably next to the cookies.
Customize Your Cans and Jars
If you transfer your food from its original packaging to glass jars and canisters, everything will instantly look more elevated. In this kitchen, the jars of food are pretty enough to live out in the open, right alongside the decorative ceramic pieces and heavy-duty appliances.
Add Retro Flair
This pantry looks more like an old-school candy shop or library, and we're definitely here for it. You can store items higher if you have a means for retrieving them—which is where this sliding ladder comes into play. It adds serious style and functionality to a large pantry.
Use a Bold Color
A tiny space is the perfect opportunity to use a bold color in small doses. Just make sure you choose a hue that speaks to the color story in the connecting rooms. The butler's pantry in a Greenwich, Connecticut, house designed by Lee Ann Thornton connects the dining room to the kitchen and delivers a vibrant blue punch to all who pass through.
Repurpose Furniture
If you don't have a walk-in pantry, don't worry—you can still keep all your food behind closed doors. With a smart and spacious wall unit and/or cabinetry, you won't need to call the contractor for built-in, customized storage. The storage piece in this kitchen blends in seamlessly with the rest of the space.
Choose Pretty Lighting
A glitzy light source, like this crystal chandelier, transforms an already stylish pantry into a food-storage space fit for royalty.
Keep Things Out in the Open
If you don't have a separate pantry and need to store your food right in the kitchen, that's totally fine. With built-in storage units like this, you can keep all your food on display. This also makes cooking a lot easier, since everything is right there and ready for use.
Scout a New Location
If you're short on space in the kitchen, take a look around your house for a more creative location. Shawna Mullarkey turned an old coat closet under the stairs into her food-storage space. And if your pantry is far from the kitchen, keep a small bar cart there so you can transport what you need easily.
Use All Available Space
Copper cookware hanging from the ceiling, spices stacked on floating shelves, tableware and food stored beneath the islands... This kitchen truly takes advantage of every nook and cranny. If you don't have a hidden walk-in pantry or simply need more storage space, take note.
Pick Durable Materials
Durable materials are always a plus when the room in question is a pantry, where there will likely be regular spills and crumbs galore. Break things up with a colorful area rug, floating shelves, and pendant lights.
Opt for Minimalism
A ladder introduces some stylish flair to your space while also helping you access those hard-to-reach upper items. These sleek, minimalist painted built-in cabinets keep things tucked away nicely so we can focus on the architectural fireplace, ladder, and bench.
Keep Things Casual
In this Los Angeles kitchen designed by Chris Barrett, open shelves fabricated by Garrett Woodworking let you see exactly what you have at a glance (and let your dog have a peek, too). The exposed beams and rustic wooden step stool also set the scene for a warm, inviting home.
Opt for Bright Tiles
You can't go wrong with this classic design. Jordan of Oh Happy Day added white subway tiles, bracket shelves, and a black pendant to complete the industrial-inspired look of her pantry.
Built-In Shelving
Never underestimate the power (and elegance) of built-in shelving. Here, cabinets and open shelving provide plenty of space for food, allowing the side wall to function as a makeshift coat closet, or as a closet for the kitchen equivalent, the apron).
Get Organized
A pantry isn't much help if it isn't functional. Jamin and Ashley of The Handmade Home completely gutted their existing pantry, painted the space a bright blue-green, and added a yellow industrial-style pendant. The classic metal nameplates add a touch of traditional elegance (and organization) to the space.
Find a Sneaky Solution
No space for a whole separate room? Opt for a pantry that's part of your cabinets, like this pull-out one in a Scandinavian-inspired kitchen in New York. A chalkboard cabinet face for notes and grocery lists adds extra function.
Tuck It Out of Sight
All the clutter of this Chicago kitchen designed by Mick De Giulio is hidden behind closed doors, which open to reveal an expansive storage space. To bring it all together, the drawers are constructed out of the same honey-colored pine as the island. Pull-out willow baskets hold fruit and vegetables.
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