The nexus of your home is arguably the kitchen. It’s where your family gathers to eat, entertain, and connect. All that time spent in the kitchen means it needs to be functional, beautiful, and clean. As kitchen remodeling designs become increasingly open and integrated, having an accessible, gorgeous, and convenient side space for food preparation and storage could be a dream come true. So why not make it so? Partner with a design-build expert to create the perfect walk-in pantry in Southeast Michigan!

 

Partner with Experts for Walk-in Pantry Ideas

kitchen remodel in birmingham

Every successful renovation project uses a proven process from start to finish. Ensure you’re working with a design-build team that helps you create a vision to walk in your ideal pantry: 

1.) They should set priorities and expectations early.

2.) Take full responsibility for ensuring everything is done right. 

That means everyone involved is responsible for the quality and totally invested in exceeding your expectations to ensure your pantry is completed on time and within budget.

Southeast Michigan homeowners understand that a new pantry can make cooking, baking, planning, shopping, and entertaining effortless. However, the first and most crucial step is partnering with your design-build team to tailor the pantry to your specific needs. They’ll also assess your available space to ensure the best use of it. While there are plenty of walk-in kitchen pantry ideas to explore, expert guidance is key to achieving the perfect solution for your home.

Your ideal walk-in pantry should become a natural extension of your kitchen. With just the right size and layout, it makes it easy to instantly see everything you have, and access it quickly and effortlessly.

 

Visualize & Plan Your Kitchen Design

Let’s begin with the “Why?” to get the “How?” exactly right. 

  • Do you need a walk-in pantry to provide extra space for storage? 
  • Will you store food or household staples, such as cleaning and pet supplies, in your pantry? 
  • Do you plan on also using the pantry for food prep? 
  • Will you need countertop space and room for appliances in the kitchen area? 

Answers to these questions help define the overall size and influence the pantry design and layout for optimal functionality and look.

The next question is how to make the extra space feasible. Are you building a new home or remodeling your existing home? If you’re remodeling, the new space must be taken from somewhere. It might be a nearby living room, hall closet, or part of your existing kitchen. 

Or perhaps you are planning an addition, and the pantry will be accommodated in the new space. Either way, structural changes will be required. You must work with your design team to ensure the integrity of the new space.

 

Layout for Designing the Kitchen Pantry: Size Matters

You’re ready to define the best layout after identifying your needs and factoring in the available pantry space. Some of our Southeast Michigan clients take inspiration from our walk-in pantry ideas. However, there are principles to follow for optimal space in functional sizes. Here are some of the tips for designing your kitchen pantry.

  • Verify with your designer that your shelving will suit your specific needs. 
  • The distance between the shelves should be at least 12” to accommodate most dry goods and supplies. 
  • If you have seen pantry design ideas that include prep countertops and additional space, give at least 18” for headroom to design and build this option. 
  • You may also want to walk into a pantry where appliances are conveniently accessible. Including appliances such as refrigerators or microwaves will require more space and electrical circuitry. 
  • Adding a prep sink is a luxury feature you will enjoy for years. Ensure you allow enough working space right and left of the sink, just as you would in your kitchen.

 

Shelving Your Walk-in Pantry

After determining the size and layout of your walk-in pantry, the next step is making shelving design plans. Don’t take these for granted. Shelves and cabinets are the backbone of a functional, beautiful, safe pantry in a kitchen remodel. They must be strong enough to hold your heaviest items and seamlessly match your design. Here are some tips for shelving:

  • Shelving should be ¾” thick with runs no longer than 36 inches wide without additional support. 
  • Where countertops are not present, floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves are a must.
  • Shelves should also be adjustable to accommodate various supplies. 
  • One common shelving mistake is deepening a shelf or cabinet to maximize storage space. However, the opposite is recommended since shallower shelves are more accessible
  • Scaling shelf depth depending on height is also a good idea: the higher the shelf or cabinet, the shallower it should be to ensure a clear line of sight.
  • Designers recommend 16” deep shelves at your feet, 14” at eye level, narrowin

 

Maximize Space and Storage Highs & Lows

Getting your shelf and cabinet height right is important to ensure everything fits. Scaling these from the top to the bottom adds convenience: 

  • Place the larger and taller (usually heavier) pantry items at your feet below, 
  • Leave the smaller (and usually lighter) items at eye level and above. 
  • Storage bins of various sizes help keep things organized on shelves. Whether metal, plastic, wood, or glass, make sure they fit your needs and the design style you’re trying to create.

Shelves also come in various forms, including open, pull-out, and closed cabinets. These styles give you tremendous functional and creative flexibility, so explore all your options. 

  • Open shelves offer immediate visibility and access
  • Pull-outs are wonderful for displaying cookware collections and holding appliances.
  • Closed cabinets are ideal for hiding items such as cleaning supplies and other items that are out of a child’s reach.

 

Form & Function as Part of the Kitchen Remodel

After you’ve designed the layout and chosen the kitchen cabinets, countertops, and other fixtures, you’ll need to work with your team to choose the materials. In terms of style, you’ll definitely want your new walk-in pantry to become an extension of your main kitchen and, therefore, have finishes that match or complement them. That said, options abound that are creative yet stay within budget.

Since most walk-in pantries aren’t fully open by design, you don’t always need to use the same kitchen design materials, such as expensive stone or custom cabinetry. Instead, you can use laminates of various colors, and butcher blocks are an amazingly economical choice for pantry countertops. By blending great taste with economy, you can create a gorgeous, functional, and sturdy walk-in pantry for your family.

 

Decor & Lighting for Designing Pantry

Southeast Michigan homeowners are taking advantage of a walk-in pantry, not just a storage space, but also a space to express themselves. Paint, wallpaper, and tile can turn an otherwise humdrum walk-in pantry into a gorgeous extension to your kitchen

  • Shaking things up by painting the door, walls and ceiling alluring colors in various combinations is exciting and transforms a “pantry” into a fun and functional experience. 
  • You can also create contrast with accented cabinet colors. 
  • Wallpaper and ceramic tile can add character and blend with your home’s style. Work with your design team in decorating and let the creative juices flow!

As any interior design expert will tell you, lighting can make or break a good design. Work with your team to include the fixtures that look the best, fit the style, and provide vibrant illumination, enabling you to find what you’re looking for instantly. If your walk-in pantry is large enough and has specialized areas, adding dimmable task lighting will add dimension to your walk-in pantry experience.

LED lighting is a newer, flexible, and economical option. 

  • Motion sensor LEDs will automatically turn on when you open your walk-in pantry door
  • Strip LEDs are perfect for shelving units and other areas where you want focused lighting. 
  • On the other side of the tech extreme is natural lighting, afforded by an outside window or skylight above. 

Either way, make sure your new walk-in pantry is well-illuminated and comfortable.

 

Small and Large Appliances for the Pantry

All You Need to Know When Designing a Walk-In Pantry for Your Kitchen Remodel - Pantry with appliances

Extra storage space is good, but making your new walk-in pantry a seamless extension of your whole kitchen is also great. If space and budget allow, the best way to do that is by embedding appliances, such as a refrigerator, microwave, or even a second dishwasher. Pantries are also the perfect place for small appliances like toasters, mixers, and coffee makers. Thinking this all through ahead of time will help to ensure correct outlet placement.

 

Getting Organized

Experts agree that dividing your walk-in pantry into specialized areas is the way to go. Assign zones based on your storage needs for things like canned goods, snacks, dry goods, or cleaning supplies. Appliances should also be strategically placed for use and convenience. A walk-in pantry can truly be life-changing, making your prep, cleanup, and storage so much easier. You will be so happy you took the time to think it all through beforehand!

 

Ready to Roll!

Are you excited about having your very own walk-in pantry? Let the design-build experts and contractors at Mainstreet help turn your dream into a reality! We take tremendous pride in listening to your needs and providing the high level of personal care and meticulous attention to detail that has earned us the #1 choice for discerning homeowners in Southeast Oakland County. View our Kitchen Gallery projects, sign up for our newsletter, and contact us directly.

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