I love storage and the breakfast cupboard is up there with one of my favourite storage ideas – to cleverly keep the morning rush a bit more organised. And, believe me, with two boys under 6, the mornings are a rush to say the least. My oldest is a creature of habit – cornflakes every time but my youngest likes to mix it up so I’m often making three or four different breakfasts at once, while eagerly waiting for my coffee machine to kick into action.
So, what exactly is a breakfast cupboard? It is usually a dresser with folding doors but it can also be built into a bespoke kitchen design. The breakfast cupboard can be left open while it’s in use but also closed off to store the appliances (kettle, toaster, coffee machine) away. There is often a worktop space for cutting bread and storing plates and mugs. My two are too small to help themselves to breakfast just yet but the original idea behind the breakfast cupboard is that everything you would need for the morning is housed neatly in one place so guests and members of the family can easily access it. There are some beautiful examples of breakfast cupboards out there so I’ve picked my favourites to inspire you…
This kitchen scheme cleverly incorporates a home office, cocktail cabinet, and breakfast pantry, all hidden behind bespoke oak cabinetry leaving the living area feeling calm and uncluttered. Prices for bespoke kitchens from Blakes London start from £45,000.
This 1100mm full-height Suffolk larder cabinet is capacious and perfect for keeping all your dry goods and baking equipment. Shown here painted in Old Rose, it is priced from £3515 from Neptune.
Opened by a traditional key lock, behind the doors of this freestanding dark blue-grey unit you’ll find three solid shelves, deep soft-close drawers, and additional storage on the reverse of each door. Mette six-drawer larder cabinet, £2295, Cox & Cox.
Cupboards built into an alcove utilise every available space in the kitchen. Martin Moore designed and built this amazing appliance cupboards hidden behind bi-fold doors.
This hidden pantry, designed by Jack Trench, houses an integrated fridge-freezer. The doors are made from American black walnut with solid unlacquered copper handles and the worktop and splashback are Blue Canyon Richlite – a highly sustainable material made from resin-infused paper. From £6,000 as part of a Jack Trench bespoke kitchen.
Created by John Lewis of Hungerford, this bespoke larder cupboard offers a custom-made storage solution that ensures no tin needs to be squeezed into a slightly too-small nook. Prices for a full kitchen start from £28,000.
This stunning breakfast cupboard from EMR Architecture contains sockets for small appliances, with oak shelves and drawers for glassware and dry goods. Photography: Malcom Menzies
This dark blue breakfast cupboard from Mereway Kitchens has a contemporary classic feel; perfect against the brick wall. Shown here is English Revival, Signature in Diamond Grey – larder. Photography: Michelle Foulser at Stillness in Motion Photography.
Tambour units are a recessed cupboard or set of shelves where the contents are covered with a neat shutter-style pull-down door. This version is part of a bespoke kitchen by The Main Company, where prices start from £25,000.
This Brayer Design breakfast cupboard houses a coffee station and storage space for small appliances.
Featured image: This pantry is part of a bespoke kitchen by Stoneham Kitchens. Prices for a room scheme start from £30,000. This style of pantry cupboard works best when fitted within a large bank of units.