As one of the most requested kitchen features, the traditional pantry is a trend that doesn't seem to be fading anytime soon - and it's easy to see why! If you're looking to introduce one of these beautiful statement pieces into your kitchen, we're sharing our top tips for getting the most out of your kitchen pantry design, in terms of both practicality and aesthetics.

Thanks to the 'Downton Abbey' effect, the traditional pantry has made a comeback and is now the feature most requested by those looking to renovate their kitchen spaces. 

However, unlike in the early 20th century, the pantry no longer holds the sole purpose of storing dried goods and baking ingredients. Whether a pantry is walk-in, traditional or integrated, it can be used for a wide variety of reasons, tailored to the individual.

Read on for our top tips in making the most of a kitchen pantry.

How To Design A Pantry In The Kitchen

1. MAKE A STATEMENT

Whether you design your pantry to blend seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen, or you give it a unique style to make it stand-out from the rest of your units, a kitchen pantry can create a beautiful 'wow factor' feature.

Firstly, colour can determine how dramatic your statement is. If you want to make a bold feature that instantly grabs attention, choose a splash of contrasting colour, like a playful Sean Glass pantry alongside a calming Porcelain or crisp white tone for the rest of the design. Or, if you're looking to create a sophisticated statement with your pantry, why not use a stand-out colour like Hartforth Blue or Copse Green?

Another way to create a statement is with the style of door you choose for your pantry, along with its hardware. You could leave the doors open on your pantry, in which case bi-folding doors would be practical. Alternatively,keep them closed to hide kitchen clutter, meaning standard pantry doors would be perfect. Once you've made this decision, choose whether you want the hardware to be the same as the rest of your kitchen, or whether you would like the pantry to have its own distinctive handles to set it apart.

2. MAXIMISE SPACE WITH CLEVER STORAGE SOLUTIONS

A pantry is the perfect storage opportunity, with an abundance of space for your choice of shelving, drawers and worktop space. Maximise possibilities with the wide selection of storage solutions available from our storage partners, Kessebohmer UK. 

Base pull-out units act as an alternative to a standard cupboard, making kitchen essentials easily accessible. Or, opt for the Butler's Pantry wooden spice rack, allowing you to make use of the extra space behind your pantry doors.

Don’t have room for a full kitchen pantry? Pantry cupboards are an ideal solution. Tall, slim cupboards around your kitchen still allow for ample storage without needing an entire extra room, so you can still have all the benefits of a kitchen pantry regardless of the size of your kitchen.

3. USE THE SPACE TO HOUSE APPLIANCES

As times have changed, the traditional pantry is no longer just a home for dried goods and baking ingredients- a pantry is also a great place to house your kitchen appliances. 

Is your coffee machine taking up a lot of your main kitchen food preparation space? Why not transfer it to your pantry, creating a handy yet attractive coffee station? Then, once you've finished using your appliances, simply close the pantry doors and hide away the clutter!

This is the same for your KitchenAid, air fryer, toaster, and any other kitchen gadget you love - clever kitchen pantry design allows space for all of these and more without clogging up your counter space.

4. CREATE A SPECIAL PLACE FOR EVERYTHING

If your pantry is perfectly placed in your kitchen layout, it will be the ideal unit to house your frequently used kitchen essentials. Giving these essentials, such as ingredients you use a lot or handy utensils, a certain place will make your time spent preparing and cooking food more efficient.

A key element of kitchen pantry design is ensuring it works for you both now and in the future. Consider adding in some more shelving or storage space to allow you room to expand, or for storing those essentials you can’t live without. But it doesn’t have to just be shelves - a hanging pot rack can act as an elegant design for your kitchen pantry, as well as being functional.

5. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Looking for a way to incorporate something a little different into your pantry? Why not integrate a chopping board into your design as a great way to keep work space clutter to a minimum whilst keeping the kitchen essential close to hand?

Explore Pantry Kitchen Designs With Life Kitchens

Have we inspired you to incorporate a pantry into your kitchen design? Whichever way you want to style it, pantries are perfect for all types of kitchen, big and small.

Here at Life Kitchens, we’re experts in kitchen pantry design, so why not pay our showroom a visit to see how we can help you bring your kitchen dreams to life? Book your design appointment today, or download one of our exclusive brochures here to explore more of our kitchen ranges.