Pantries were a staple in many kitchen remodeling projects until the late 1960s, when they started to fall out of favor. In the recent decades, fewer American homes have incorporated a walk-in pantry in the kitchen. Today, however, kitchen storage solutions are at a premium and effective pantry designs have made a big comeback.
A well-designed pantry offers plenty of utility to any kitchen. You can maximize the benefits by following a few simple rules of pantry planning.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of the most important hallmarks of a good pantry, which is why storage solutions often start with shelf depth. The standard size for pantry shelves is 16 to 20 inches deep. This provides you with maximum shelf space even in a small pantry. Higher shelves are often built shallower (12 inches or less) to keep items within reach.
Floor Space
Ask your kitchen remodelers to position the first row of shelves about 20 to 24 inches from the floor. Floor storage is typically reserved for things like paper towels, pet food and other bulky items. If you can raise this row higher, it may be useful to do so. This will give you even more space for storing unwieldy items.
Adjustable Shelves
It can be difficult to predict what things you’ll store inside your pantry. Most food items that come in boxes or bottles can be stored with a height of 18 inches between shelves. However, it’s more practical to use adjustable shelves so you take any guesswork out of your pantry storage. If this is not an option, consider varying shelf heights between six and 18 inches to accommodate differently sized items.
Put frequently used items on the shelves between waist and eye level. These shelves offer the best accessibility, making them the perfect spot to store the things you use most often. Use bins and organizers on this level to maximize capacity. The increased accessibility also encourages users put items back where they belong after use.
Consistency in Decor
Match the colors and patterns you use in your pantry with your overall decor to create a more coherent aesthetic in your kitchen. This helps open up the space, making it appear bigger than it actually is.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
Design and build the ideal pantry with the help of the professionals at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Aiken, a leading provider of interior remodeling services. Give us a call at (803) 335-1758 or fill out our contact form to start a conversation today. We serve homeowners in Beech Island, as well as North Augusta, Graniteville, New Ellenton, Barnwell and Edgefield Park.
