Who this guide is for
- Cooks who need more food storage
- People with a cupboard or nook to annex
- Anyone planning shelving and storage zones
- Households decluttering the kitchen worktops
Find the right location near the kitchen
A pantry only works if it is close to where you cook and unpack shopping. Look at adjacent cupboards, a corner of the kitchen, or a neighbouring space that can be annexed without a long walk.
Plan the route from the door and the cooking zone so the pantry is genuinely convenient.
- Locate the pantry close to cooking and unpacking
- Consider adjacent cupboards or nooks to annex
- Plan a short route from the kitchen
- Avoid placing it where access is awkward
Plan shelving and storage zones
Pantries thrive on organisation. Plan shelving at varied depths and heights, with zones for dry goods, tins, small appliances and bulky items, so everything is visible and reachable.
Plan adjustable shelving so the storage adapts as your habits change.
Plan ventilation for food keeping
Food stores better in a cool, dry, ventilated space. Plan ventilation so the pantry does not get warm or humid, which shortens how long food keeps.
Ventilation choices should be planned with professional input where they involve building work.
Plan light and access
A pantry you cannot see into is frustrating. Plan good lighting and a door arrangement that opens fully, so the whole space is usable.
Consider whether a walk-in or reach-in arrangement suits the space and your needs.
Verify any building changes with professionals
Annexing space may mean moving a wall, adding lighting or ventilation. Verify any structural change and route wiring or ventilation work through the relevant qualified trades.
Build Design Hub does not assess structure or services; confirm requirements locally.
Pantry checklist
- 1Locate the pantry close to cooking and unpacking
- 2Identify a cupboard, nook or space to annex
- 3Plan a short, convenient route from the kitchen
- 4Plan varied shelving with clear storage zones
- 5Use adjustable shelving for flexibility
- 6Plan ventilation so food keeps well
- 7Plan good lighting and a fully opening door
- 8Verify any wall, wiring or ventilation change with professionals
Common mistakes to avoid
- Placing the pantry too far from the kitchen
- Fixed shelving that wastes space and cannot adapt
- Ignoring ventilation, so the pantry gets warm or humid
- Poor lighting that hides what is stored
- A door that cannot open fully into the space
- Treating wall, wiring or ventilation changes as cosmetic
When to involve a professional
- Any wall change to annex space should be verified with qualified professionals
- New wiring belongs with a qualified electrician
- Ventilation work warrants professional input
- Build Design Hub does not assess structure or verify services
- Requirements vary by location and project, so confirm specifics locally
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
Where should a new pantry go?
Close to where you cook and unpack shopping. Adjacent cupboards, a kitchen corner or a neighbouring space work well; the key is a short, convenient route from the kitchen.
Walk-in or reach-in pantry?
It depends on the space and your storage needs. A walk-in suits larger annexed areas, while a reach-in works where space is tight. Plan whichever gives the most usable, visible storage.
Does a pantry need ventilation?
Yes. Food keeps better in a cool, dry, ventilated space, so plan ventilation so the pantry does not get warm or humid. Involve a professional for any building work.
How is this different from a pantry remodel?
A remodel improves an existing pantry, while an addition creates one by annexing space. Creating a pantry leads with location, access and any building changes rather than just storage.
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