You’ve probably heard of tablescaping (creating beautiful dining set-ups), but have you heard of pantryscaping? We’re exploring the art of styling your kitchen storage to help you maximise your space, with no compromises on aesthetics.
Breakfast cupboards, freestanding larders, and walk-in pantries are some of the most sought-after storage solutions for keeping your kitchen neatly organised while having the essentials on hand; and, apart from function, they are sure to add wow factor to your space. Just picture shelves upon shelves of decanted jars, colourful spice racks, and stylish storage boxes.
“For me, the most memorable part of a fabulous kitchen is a beautifully organised pantry, laden with interesting bottles of infused oils, rustling packets of the finest truffles, artisanal jarred vegetables and special seasonings,” says Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company.
“The act of opening a double pantry is truly a moment of awe and gives the process of cooking and entertaining a real sense of occasion.” A moment I’m certainly looking forward to – one day, one day…
Whether you’re planning a kitchen redesign or need to maximise the space you already have, here is how, with the right styling, you can improve the practicality and look of your pantry.
Start by zoning your storage
Before you even reach the styling step, it’s crucial to thoroughly organise your cupboard space in order for it to function properly. “Start by deciding what you’d like to store and then create zones within your pantry,” says Alex Main, director at The Main Company. “For example, store dried goods like pasta, rice and cereals together in easy-to-see containers like glass jars so you can see how much product you have left – meaning you can keep track of how much stock you have left and when it needs refilling.”
“If you like baking, designate an area for baking supplies like flour and sugar in air-tight containers. Baskets or boxes are great for storing snacks and other food like bread. We’d always advise storing heavier items like tins and condiments lower down in the pantry if you can,” adds Alex.
Louisa Eggleston, creative director at Humphrey Munson, agrees and says, “By organising relevant items together in one location, there shouldn’t be any more rooting through cupboards or drawers trying to find that elusive key ingredient. It just makes life so much easier.”
Kitchen organisation hacks
Depending on whether you have a freestanding larder, compact breakfast unit, or spacious walk-in design, you can use different furniture solutions, such as open shelves, deep pull-out drawers or built-in spice racks, to make the most of the cupboard space. And, these days, there is a wide variety of small organisers to help you keep your pantry tidy. Think woven baskets, jars in all shapes and sizes, spice and oil bottles, vintage cans, airtight containers, and turntables.
However, Louisa says a mix of storage space is essential. “Artisan shelves are perfect for jars and tins, whilst a mounted spice rack keeps bottles and spices together, rather than scattered to the four corners of the kitchen. You could choose open countertop cupboards for a walk-in pantry – this is undoubtedly a smarter way to design it but doors aren’t a great idea as the pantry is typically a small room and they can get in the way.”
If you love the look of decanted goods (I know, I do!), then choose clear glass jars or boxes to keep your kitchen cooking essentials organised. “Using personalised glass storage jars is a game-changer, they not only allow you to see your contents at a glance, they look the part too,” says Louisa. “It’s a commitment to a tidier way of living – perhaps not for all, in which case drawers and more drawers are the answer.”
Sinead Trainor, kitchen category manager at LochAnna Kitchens, agrees and adds: “If you want to add extra flair to your pull-out storage, why not try transferring your spices and baking ingredients to matching, labelled jars for a uniform effect that keeps everything in order, or, you could even include an overhead light inside the larder to illuminate its contents from above.”
LED strips or spotlights can help add visual interest to your kitchen pantry design while also enhancing its practicality. “The lighting rule that applies in the pantry is simple enough – one circuit for task lighting and one for accent lighting. If you have space, wall lights are always a lovely addition and you can choose bolder colours and interesting floors in the pantry – a little bit like the guest WC – you can be braver with design choices,” says Louisa.
Happy organising!
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