Space constraints and the need for organized storage of kitchen stock (and other stackable kitchen items) dictate the design of your kitchen pantry. Like every other aspect of your kitchen, the pantry should also be functional and easy to access. Whether you store food items or stack everyday kitchen tools such as containers, bottles, napkins, towels etc., you need to plan the space efficiently.
Kitchen pantry design should be extensive – think of all the possible things you want to include in it. This is because once you create shelves or racks, it will be difficult to accommodate some unplanned stuff like some equipment that you can use a little. We often like to keep new kitchen purchases or unused tools immediately in the pantry. You need to plan for that extra storage corner that can be used for such demands. Once you know your stuff, you can start planning the storage sections.
Homes with enough space can often carve out a separate room for the pantry but those with less or no space have the following options:
- You can stack light racks on the available wall space for small items like spices etc.
- A small mobile rack can be safely stacked in any of the available corners for fruit and vegetables etc.
- Hanging shelves can be used on the back of kitchen doors to store light food items such as soup packets, tea bag bag etc.
How much space you can inch out is up to you. Just make sure not to add clutter.
If you are planning to have an oversized pantry, first start with your kitchen pantry design type:
1. Choose a layout: Keep it one closet, L-shaped or U-shaped according to your space and its proximity to your cooking area. One cupboard is suitable for a medium-sized space and can be placed almost parallel to your cooking area. The L shape is suitable for medium-sized and large-sized kitchens. The U shape is good for large spaces and large families.
2. Access space: With an L shape or U shape, remember to keep enough space for walking between the parallel L or U legs.
3. Shelving: The space between each shelf can be used for a variety of stock. For example, the lowest shelf should be about 15-20 inches long to allow storage of heavy appliances, recently purchased stock, large cans etc. Measure from the bottom and continue to mark the shelves as you go up.
The next two shelves should again have a spacing of at least 12 inches to allow the storage of large containers, bottles, cans etc. Within your reach, keep shelves of about 8.5-10 inches for storing daily items such as spices, cereals. , sauces that are usually stored in smaller bottles or cans. The higher shelves should collect the items that are taken out a little. You can also keep kitchen items like pans, casseroles etc. here.
4. Extra space: Always keep a small section for unplanned storage needs such as newly purchased utensils, a huge sack of grains or a new appliance such as a juicer etc. This can be either on the top or bottom shelf.
Depending on your needs, you can design the shelves in a variety of ways, for example you can have vertical shelves for large trays, a rectangular section for storing wine bottles, diagonal racks for cereal boxes, small section for stacking cookbooks etc.
Once you are clear with the layout, you need to choose the pantry organizers. They come in a wide range of sliding baskets, racks, drawers, trays, vegetable bins or basket, wrap organizers, stacking bins, wall hooks for aprons or napkins etc. Except for drawers or sliding baskets, other organizers can be freely placed anywhere on the shelves and can be rearranged according to requirements. So, keep flexible organizers like bags that you can change as and when needed.
Last on the kitchen pantry design list is the storage model. You may want to store alphabetically row on row, label on the shelves, have a separate section of children’s food, store wise category, according to size, by weight or simply by any creative style that you may want. In the end, it should be fast to search, comfortable to access, arranged in an orderly manner and above all a pleasant section of your kitchen.
What are your thoughts on kitchen pantry design?
Do you have a suggestion or comment about the design of a kitchen pantry? Please share your thoughts with us by filling out the comment form at the bottom of the page.
Also, be sure to check out this kitchen design software. This will help you Visualize your project quickly in realistic 3D.
