Pretty and practical walk-in pantry ideas for any kitchen size

Walk-in pantry, larder, back kitchen, scullery… Whatever you want to call it, this space is a wonderland of practicality and organisation that can transform your kitchen.

A walk-in pantry has become a ‘dream kitchen wishlist’ item. Although, for many, it may seem like an unattainable goal. But luckily, you don’t need as much space as you might think and, with some clever planning, it can be relatively simple to integrate into your scheme.

Intrigued? KBB journo Charlotte Luxford investigates how to design, style and maximise your own walk-in pantry…

Wood kitchen design with fluted cabinetry and a walk-in pantry.
This stylish and compact Japandi kitchen by Wood Works Brighton features delicate curves and fluted oak.

“The current trend is to design a pantry with secret ‘Narnia’ doors that look like part of the tall cabinetry in the kitchen, yet take you to another room altogether,” says Tim Higham, founder of Higham Furniture. The easiest way to achieve this is with pocket or sliding doors to maximise floor space and create easy access to cabinets, drawers, shelves and cupboards.

Tom Howley, creative design director at Tom Howley, suggests that the first port of call when planning your walk-in pantry is to consider how much space you’re able to allocate to it, which will, in turn, determine the overall layout. This may be a linear layout, L shape or U shape – perhaps it’s even tucked in an awkward corner to best utilise the space.

Practicalities

Roundhouse’s senior designer Allison Lynch notes that ventilation and temperature should also be taken into consideration when deciding on its location, to ensure whatever you keep in the larder stays cool and fresh. While originally a larder would be used for storing meats and perishable foods, and a pantry was where linens, crockery and utensils were stowed away, the two have become largely interchangeable, as has their functionality.

The pantry is now a catch-all for storing not just non-perishables, but also bulky appliances such as juicers, mixers and blenders, but also many agree that even fruit and vegetables are best stored here rather than in the fridge, and may even last longer and taste better.

Wine cellar and walk-in pantry design.
Free your kitchen and store anything from your favourite wine bottles to small kitchen appliances to root vegetables in your walk-in pantry. Pantry by Herringbone House, from £10,000.

Storing it all is another matter, and working with a designer can help you come up with a tailored solution that works best for you. “A combination of deep shelving and drawers is often best for an efficient space, paired with well-designed task lighting,” says Alex Main, director at The Main Company. He suggests deciding what you’d like to store first, and creating zones within the pantry.

For example, for dried foods, opt for see-through containers like glass jars. Baskets and boxes on shelves are great for storing snacks and bread, while deep drawers can store heavier items like tins and sauces, and provide better visibility.

The finishing touches

Those finer details make all the difference, too. For example, hanging rails are excellent for displaying extra pans and utensils. Baskets are perfect for storing napkins, tea towels, or even root vegetables. Graeme Smith of Life Kitchens also suggests incorporating wine and plate racks, as well as stepped shelving, which not only increases space, but also allows you to see what you have in the cupboard with ease. If you’ve got a tall pantry, a fold-out step ladder may be useful to get to those hard-to-reach items.

Got ample space? Consider plumbing in an extra sink and a second dishwasher, so the room becomes more of a ‘back kitchen’ for meal preparation or baking, as well as for clearing away after entertaining.

Secondary kitchen with a bronze sink, classic taps and traditional cabinetry.
Make the most of your pantry by factoring in a second sink and tap for extra practicality. Artisan kitchen, from £35,000, John Lewis of Hungerford.

Most designers agree that the walk-in pantry should feel like a natural extension of the kitchen. It may be painted in a bold shade for an element of surprise and personality, but its style, whether modern or traditional, will often align with the kitchen’s, with elements such as hardware creating a sense of cohesion.

Now, let’s look at some stunning walk-in pantry ideas for any kitchen size and style to boost your creativity…

A bright yellow walk-in pantry with marble shelves.
Looking for bold walk-in pantry ideas? Why not choose a striking colour for your cabinetry. For this design, Lewis Alderson created Condiment, a bespoke mustard yellow shade. Lewis Alderson kitchens start at around £35,000.
Classic kitchen design painted in a deep blue-green shade, with wood accents.
This walk-in pantry is accessed by double ‘Narnia’ doors leading from a traditional Shaker kitchen by Higham Furniture. Open shelving hosts baskets and palette boxes on wheels and there’s a useful hanging rail for utensils. The 30mm thick worktop and cold shelf is Misty Carrara Satinato quartz by Cullifords. Kitchens with walk-in pantries start from £50,000. Photography: Paul Craig.
Walk-in pantry design with blue cabinetry, matching shelving and stainless steel appliances.
This beautiful walk-in pantry by Tom Howley offers practical storage for all your kitchen must-haves. The Hartford collection in Azurite, from £25,000.
Walk-in pantry with classic cabinetry.
Designed by interior design studio Grid Thirteen, in collaboration with interior designer Faye Robinson, this luxury walk-in pantry provides essential storage to manage the homeowner’s family life. Handcrafted kitchens from Grid Thirteen’s Darling Maeve collection start from £50,000. Photography: Andy Haslam.
A classic, pale pink kitchen design with a chic walk-in pantry illuminated by LED strips.
Keep your kitchen nice and tidy by storing cooking and baking essentials in your walk-in pantry. A Roundhouse Metro and Classic bespoke kitchen in matt patinated bronze. Roundhouse kitchens start at £35,000.
View inside a walk-in pantry with blue cabinetry and matching open shelves.
To achieve a cohesive scheme, match the cabinetry in your walk-in pantry to the main kitchen design. Arbor kitchen, from £30,000, Harvey Jones.
Compact kitchen design with a concealed larder.
The door opens inwards to this walk-in pantry by Kitchens by Holloways to save on space and aid the spatial flow. Price on application.
Classic green kitchen design with a central peninsula which has space for cooking and dining.
This bespoke design by Snug Kitchens features plain in-frame Shaker doors, Art Deco cornice, and antique brass butt hinges.
Graphite kitchen with wood panelling and a hidden pantry.
Now you see it, now you don’t – this pantry is cleverly concealed behind a hidden door. Masterclass Kitchens H-Line Sutton Graphite with Madoc Portland Oak pantry by Jones Britain.
A classic farmhouse-style kitchen with white cabinetry and  a dark grey island.
Luckin Kitchens designed this walk-in pantry to appear as though it has always been there. It hides behind traditionally-made Ovolo Shaker doors to match the rest of the kitchen. Luckin Kitchens start at £35,000. Photography: Sarah Griggs.
Compact walk-in pantry with varying shelf heights.
Small kitchen? Fear not, there are clever walk-in pantry ideas and ways to maximise your compact space. For example, this walk-in pantry has varying shelf heights to ensure flow and functionality. Bespoke kitchen from PAD, featuring its St John’s Wood Elgin cabinetry in contrasting Carbon and Pebble paint. Kitchens start from £20,000. Photography: Paul Craig.
View inside a grey-coloured walk-in pantry.
This walk-in pantry hides behind a secret door, designed to blend in seamlessly with the run of bespoke cabinetry. Handmade Shaker kitchen in Little Greene’s Lead III. Rencraft kitchens start from £50,000. Photography: Mark Hardy Creative.
Compact larder for storing dried goods, wine bottles and small appliances.
This walk-in pantry by Crown Imperial is ideal for family living. The corner solution features tiered shelving and a central zone with customisable storage in three widths – 300mm, 400mm and 600mm.

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