Whether you have a small reach-in pantry or a spacious walk-in, there are some universal elements that help separate a so-so storage area from a fully functional space. Let’s start with shelf height. Varying the shelf height can make a world of difference for increasing storage efficiency. We need to be able to store tall items like paper towels, […]
Whether you have a small reach-in pantry or a spacious walk-in, there are some universal elements that help separate a so-so storage area from a fully functional space.
Let’s start with shelf height. Varying the shelf height can make a world of difference for increasing storage efficiency. We need to be able to store tall items like paper towels, large boxes of cereal, and corded electrical appliances. But we want to avoid wasted space for the small items like canned goods, juice boxes and pet treats, etc. We recommend varying shelf height from 10 inches to 18 inches tall to maximize space.
One of the features that can be worth the splurge, especially for reach-in pantries, is the glide out shelf. Making the back part of the shelf accessible is beyond convenient; it makes items discoverable. Glide outs allow you see what is lingering in the back rows and gives you quicker access. Let’s face it, bending over and looking into dark spaces means you are not going to easily find what you are looking for. If glide outs aren’t an option, then under-the-shelf lighting can help improve the search for items in dark places.
Also in the top three recommendations are vertical shelves that can store oversized platters, baking sheets, cutting boards, and so much more. These kitchen tools are difficult to store in our conventional kitchen spaces, so I like to include tall shelving with vertical dividers in the pantry whenever possible.
Do you need dry shelving for root vegetables? Do you have soda or bottled water? Are you a collector of shopping bags? Will wine and spirits go in this area? Will you hang long-handled cleaning gear here? Specialty built-ins are available for these items and many others. Being prepared with an inventory list will help determine which features will save you the most space and have the most impact on your daily life.
Big or small, the right features can make a huge impact on how well your pantry functions! Can you envision the perfect pantry?
