Pantries 101: Choosing the Best Design for Your Kitchen

One of the first questions you must ask yourself before a kitchen remodel is: do you want a walk-in pantries or cabinet pantries? There are pros and cons to both of these options, so before you start tearing out old shelves, think about the kind of pantry you want and the kind of pantry that will best fit your needs.

Walk-In Pantries
By being able to walk into the space, you can see all that you have at once, making the opportunities of your pantry seem endless. Having everything in one place can also be helpful in making your kitchen feel more open, especially if you prefer to buy in bulk or make many different dishes that require an array of ingredients. This setup can also be helpful if you have bigger appliances that you do not want to keep on your counters.

On the other hand, not all kitchens are equipped with that much storage space. Because they store so much, they can require more upkeep as far as cleaning and organizing goes.

Cabinet Pantries
By using cabinets to store your goods, you can have more control over where to keep and organize things. You can also personalize your storage and your space to your own needs.

However, they are an added cabinet expense, as most cabinet pantries cost more than base or wall cabinets. Also, this system can feel limiting if you have a lot of different supplies to store and not as much space to store it.

Regardless of whether you choose a walk-in pantry or cabinet pantries, you still have to consider how to make use of the space that you’re creating! Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to make your space a place to find everything that you need.

1. Pour items into your own containers
   It’s amazing how much room you can save just by taking bulk items, such as flour, sugar, and rice, out of their original packaging and storing them in your own (perhaps even matching) storage containers. Storage sets tend to be sturdier, meaning that they will protect your items much more effectively than the paper or thin plastic that the items come in.
2. Raise the limits (of your storage!)
   By making use of pantry bleachers, you can clearly see the different items that you are storing, from the front to the very back.
3. Use trays and bins
   Trays and bins can be very handy for smaller items, like sauce packets or other mixes, which can easily be lost in the fray of a busy kitchen. Keep these items together, and you’ll never frantically look for salad dressing mix ever again!
4. Put similar items together
   This may seem like common sense, but make sure to put items similar to each other close together. Do you make your killer spaghetti marinara at least once a week? Put all of the items in the same place so you can grab them all at once and get cooking!

Whether you choose a walk-in pantry or cabinet pantries, one thing is for certain: Progressive Builders will be there along the way to make your remodeling vision into reality. For more information on our remodeling services, contact us today!