Types of Kitchen Pantries

Pantries have long been a staple of a complete kitchen, and their role continues to be more relevant as homeowners seek to maximize the use of every single space within homes. 

However, pantries come in different shapes, sizes and configurations.

The pantry you choose for your kitchen depends on several factors such as

• The budget, 
• The available space, 
• The number of food items and utilities you intend to store, 
• Desired style of the pantry. 

Here are a few types of kitchen pantries you can choose from based on your preferences.

Walk-in Pantry

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This is what many people mean when referring to a pantry. A walk-in pantry is a designated room within a kitchen where dry goods, food items, kitchen appliances, and anything else used in the main kitchen are stored. 

As the name implies, you can walk into this pantry and you can store contents out of sight behind a closed door.

A walk-in pantry could hold a simple cupboard for non-perishable items or complete shelving units that can house whatever you need it to. This is because the sheer volume of storage space can be tailored to meet a variety of kitchen needs.

Many people prefer walk-in pantries because

• They offer the opportunity for multiple walls housing floor-to-ceiling shelving and other storage options. 
• They can accommodate large appliances like toaster ovens, blenders, and microwaves. 
• This massive storage space is a major advantage for those who prefer to have open and uncluttered countertops.

Walk-in pantries are easy to organize because the large space allows one to store items thoughtfully and neatly in a way that makes things easy to locate. 

They can allow different shelving compartments to be installed in different shapes and sizes to suit a large variety of items in storage.

Freestanding Pantry

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A freestanding pantry is often the cheapest and quickest way to have a home kitchen pantry. They are an inexpensive remedy to adding more storage. Freestanding pantry units range from fixtures with a few shelves to larger pieces with furniture that spans across entire walls.

Freestanding pantries with wire shelves are ideal for organizing dried and canned goods. They can also accommodate pots, pans, and small appliances. These pantries are available in a selection of materials, each of which have different properties.

Freestanding wire fixtures make everything easy to see, giving a kitchen an effortlessly clean and contemporary appearance.

Wooden shelving units are a similarly attractive freestanding pantry feature to the aforementioned wire fixtures. They offer the style and tone of classic and traditional placements. Wooden shelves resemble the aesthetic appeal of furniture and give kitchens a homier feeling.

Freestanding plastic pantry units are quite inexpensive and ideal for a tight budget. These pantries are for those who simply want a functional item that can be put together and taken apart with ease. 

These plastic units can be bought at discount rates in retail stores, and a lot of them can be linked together in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the available space.

Slide-out Pantry

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Also referred to as a pull-out pantry, a slide-out pantry is a deep and narrow shelving unit that slides in and out of a kitchen wall. Modern slim units can be fitted between a refrigerator and the adjacent wall for more seamless incorporation into the kitchen.

Slide-out pantries are typically multi-tier fixtures with smooth sliding mechanisms used to draw pantry baskets out and back in when not in use. 

This kind of pantry is ideal for kitchens that do not have full-sized pantries, thus emerging as an innovative storage unit. Items stored within a slide-out pantry can be accessed from either side of the unit when it is pulled out of the wall.

Many pull-out pantry units can be installed without modifying the physical structure of a kitchen. You can also purchase kits that can allow you to convert an existing cabinet into a freestanding slide-out pantry.

A slide-out pantry storage unit is all about flexibility since each rack is adjustable and allows you to change them up to suit the type of food item you want to keep.

Wall Pantry

A wall pantry is a series of cabinets, shelves, or a large cabinet erected against a wall where dry and canned goods, spices, and condiments can be stored alongside food items that do not need to be refrigerated.

The term ‘wall pantry’ generally refers to a small space of a kitchen fitted with some shelving used to store a small number of food items that are clearly visible and easily accessible. 

Wall pantries may have cabinet doors or sliding doors for easier access that favors smaller spaces. Some doors are made out of frosted glass for a modern touch, which may extend from the top of the unit to the bottom, or may be broken up into smaller sections to suit the different compartments.

Wall pantries are common in small homes and apartment buildings because they make economical use of limited spaces and help to organize small items. Depending on style and size, a wall pantry can be bought as a single prefabricated unit, or it can be custom built to fit personal preferences.

Butler’s Pantry

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Also known as a scullery or a serving pantry, a butler’s pantry is a transitional space between a dining area and a kitchen where food can be stored, prepared, and staged. 

It is designed for convenience since it serves as a buffer between a dining room and a kitchen, allowing you to keep clutter out of sight and worry about cleaning up later.

Located just off the main kitchen, a butler’s pantry is used to store ornate cutlery, large serving dishes, and other items that make it easy to prepare and serve food items in the main kitchen area.

While a typical pantry is a storage area for dry goods only, a butler’s pantry contains some features of a kitchen and purpose-built accessories like a microwave, coffee machine, a sink, and a countertop for food preparation.

Conclusion

Kitchen pantries are available in different configurations meant to suit different styles of kitchens and homes in general. 

The type of kitchen pantry you choose should be unique to the available space and the food items you intend to have within reach of your food prep area and dining room. 

Consider some of our kitchen designs to figure out what kitchen pantry suits your budget and preferences.