A pantry is a space where you can store non-perishable food. Not just that, but you can also throw in food prep items, cookware, and plates. Kitchen pantries can help with organization, but do you need one?
You’ll need a pantry in your kitchen if you have enough items to put in it or if your existing cabinetry isn’t enough. To decide if you need one, consider your current kitchen and your cooking needs.
This article goes through the things you need to consider to decide if you do or don’t need a pantry in your kitchen. I will also discuss the kitchen pantry types and their different pros and cons.
Consider Your Current Kitchen
Before anything else, take a look at what your kitchen is like now.
Are your cabinets, shelves, drawers, and other storage options enough to store all your kitchen items? Or do you find yourself putting a lot of extra bottles, containers, and other items on your kitchen countertops?
A kitchen pantry can give you the extra space to store your kitchen items and keep them organized. This way, you can keep your countertops clear of unnecessary containers, cookware, etc.
Kitchen pantries can be very flexible with the storage options they can offer. These will be discussed further under Kitchen Pantry Types.
Consider Your Cooking Needs and Habits
Do you buy ingredients only as you use them? Or do you have a habit of stocking up on different canned goods and preserved foodstuffs? Do your meals have a lot of grains, pasta, or spices?
If you have a wide variety of ingredients, you could benefit from the storage space provided by a kitchen pantry. The wider, more open space can allow you to organize ingredients according to different categories of your preference.
However, a kitchen pantry isn’t just for foodstuffs. Other kitchen items can be stored here, too, even kitchen appliances. Are you an avid chef or baker? Perhaps you have appliances like blenders, mixers, food processors, electric slow cookers, etc. A larger kitchen pantry can also accommodate these.
Benefits of Having a Kitchen Pantry
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not you need a pantry in your kitchen, here are some benefits that can help you decide:
- More storage space for foodstuffs, food prep items, and kitchen appliances
- Better organization of kitchen items
- It’s easier to find items with open shelving
- Better organization and visual access can help you save on groceries and avoid wastage
- Putting idle areas or unused space to good use
- Can free up counter space
Kitchen Pantry Types
When deciding what type of pantry you should get for your kitchen, you don’t just need to check if you have enough room for one and if you can fill it up. The space available for a pantry can also play a significant role in what type of pantry you should get.
Reach-In Pantry
This type of kitchen pantry requires less space. Typically, this type of pantry is about 5 feet (152.4 cm) wide and 2 feet (60.96 cm) deep. However, if your available space is a little more restricted, reach-in pantries can be as shallow as 16 inches (40.64 cm) (source).
Reach-in pantries can be free-standing or built-in. You probably have a picture of a tall cabinet in your mind, but reach-in pantries can be much more versatile. Depending on your needs, you can add:
- Pull out/ Slide-out shelves
- Hooks and pegs/ pegboards
- Additional shallow shelves on the doors
One thing you also need to remember about a reach-in pantry is what type of door it will have. Consider your available space. Is it enough for swing-out doors, or should you get a pantry with sliding doors instead?
If you’re looking for something simple, you can try the Sauder Select Storage Cabinet (link to Amazon). It’s tall but not too wide, so you still have ample storage space for your kitchen items. The shelves inside are adjustable, so you can easily tweak the spacing depending on your needs.
Here are the main pros and cons of a reach-in pantry:
Pros
- Easily accessible/can be placed in a centralized location.
- Requires a small amount of space.
Cons
- Not suitable for large items.
- Limited space for kitchen items.
Walk-In Pantry
The primary deciding factor for a walk-in pantry is a larger space. Walk-in pantries are usually around 5 feet by 5 feet (152.4 cm by 152.4 cm).
Smaller shelves for items like cereal and other containers can be 12-14 inches (30.48 cm – 35.56 cm) deep, spaced 14-16 inches (35.56 cm – 40.64 cm) apart.
Shelves meant to carry bulkier items like countertop appliances or bigger containers of foodstuffs are around 16-18 inches (40.64 cm – 45.72 cm) deep and spaced apart 18-24 inches (45.72 cm – 60.96 cm) (source).
Of course, these suggested measurements can be increased or decreased depending on your needs and preferences. For example, you can make very shallow and narrowly spaced shelves for specifically sized containers or jars, like spice bottles.
You can decide to place your shelves in a U shape, L shape, single wall, or opposite walls with a walkway or space to stand in the middle.
For extra-large pantries, you may even decide to make a butler’s pantry. This is more than just your regular food storage space. You can add a few functional kitchen appliances, countertops, and a sink for an additional functional food prep space.
Other areas you can incorporate into a butler’s pantry are:
- Small wine cellar
- Coffee bar
- Staging area for food
Here are the major pros and cons of a walk-in pantry (source):
Pros
- Ample, spread-out storage space.
- Can accommodate a wider variety of foodstuffs, including kitchenware and appliances.
- Can serve as an additional food prep area.
Cons
- Takes a more considerable amount of floor space.
- Requires more effort to clean and maintain.
Final Thoughts
The current condition of your kitchen, cooking habits, grocery shopping habits, needs, and preferences will dictate whether or not you should install a pantry in your kitchen. Once you’ve decided to get one, you must choose the best pantry type for your kitchen space and needs.
Recommended Reading:
Declutter your home once and for all (Even if you have no time and don't know where to begin)! Learn More.
