KITCHEN DESIGN
A pantry offers the best food storage in a well-organised kitchen – here’s our guide to the best options
FITTED FEEL
‘A fitted larder cabinet will create an astonishing amount of storage in a small space,’ says Simon Temprell, design manager at Neptune. Planned as part of a cabinet run, a fitted unit can add a pleasing sense of continuity, created to suit your room and efficiently maximising available space. Storage racks on the inside of doors help to use every inch and keep the pantry organised with groups of like items. ‘For anyone who enjoys seeing neat rows of cans and bottles, a fitted larder is a dream,’ he says. ‘You may wish to add complementary cabinetry and accessories on either side,’ he continues. ‘Do you need a bin nearby? Would a wine rack or fridge be useful here?’
FREESTANDING FIND
A freestanding pantry can add character to any kitchen, creating an ‘unfitted’ look that can work particularly well in rooms with a country style. ‘It will not only provide practical storage for jars, glasses and everyday items, but, unlike a fitted unit, it can be moved around a room and from home to home making it a fantastic investment,’ says Elena Mellowes, head of buying at Oak Furnitureland. A freestanding piece tends to work best in larger kitchens with space for an easy flow of movement around it. As well as racks, drawers and baskets, some freestanding designs include cold shelves for making pastry, so that you can choose a piece suited to your needs and cooking style.
WALK-IN WONDER
If you have room, a walk-in pantry can make a joyful addition to your kitchen. As well as storage for food, you may want to include sockets and counter space for small appliances, an extra sink for stashing pans out of sight when entertaining and a cold shelf for a cheese platter and ready-to-serve dishes. ‘We’ve designed walk-in pantries into the smallest spaces – under stairs is popular – but this often means leaving the door off,’ says Peter Humphrey, design director of Humphrey Munson. ‘Another trick is to angle it into the main run, which is what we did here.’ Building stud walls like this is an investment, but may result in a more efficiently organised kitchen. ➛
PULL-OUT POWER
A pull-out pantry unit is ideal when space is at a premium. No need to get down on hands and knees to rummage about at the back of a cupboard, a pull-out like the one shown here is accessible from both sides for maximum efficiency. ‘As with any kitchen storage, first consider your needs and think about the types of food items you plan to store and how you might organise them to help determine the size, shape and
