Walk-In Kitchen Pantry Ideas

Image: Taj Mahal Satin Quartzite Slab Pantry Countertop from Arizona Tile

Pantries are wonderful to have, but they can become a bit cluttered over time, especially if not appropriately designed. With a large pantry, there is space to create dedicated areas, like a coffee bar on a lovely stone countertop, or some open cabinet shelving to display your dinnerware. Also, that air fryer you had to have, the pressure cooker you couldn’t live without, and the crockpot you swore you’d use all the time; in addition to all the types of blenders, mixers, and food processor devices – a kitchen can feel cramped and cluttered in no time. A well-designed pantry can house all these small appliances to keep your kitchen counters clear and the space more livable.

Developing design ideas isn’t always so easy, so we want to share some thoughts with you. Hopefully, you’ll be able to incorporate them into your kitchen pantry design to help organize and balance this heavily used space. Whether your pantry is large or small, we home you’ll find some good ideas here to tailor to your home.

The Best Way to Use a Pantry

When you think of a pantry, it’s typical to think about food. Overflow of all the great bulk-store finds, tons of snacks for school lunches, and far too many similar boxes because you can’t remember what’s in there… this is just the tip of the iceberg for your storage options. If organized properly, your pantry—small or large—can house so many goodies: kitchen appliances, gadgets, and a solid supply of nonperishable and dry goods. If your pantry is a large walk-in, options become plentiful.

Image: Bianco Pearl Quartz Slab Walk-in Pantry from Arizona Tile

Pantry Shelves

Shelves, shelves, shelves… add lots of shelves. Adequate shelving makes for a tidier space where items can’t get as lost in the shuffle. If shelving is structured in a balanced manner, you will be able to make a visible arrangement of your goods. With few shelves, you may find yourself stacking items, leading to a messy arrangement. Shelves also come in handy for storing dinnerware. Maybe you’ve inherited your family’s fine china or enjoy hosting large gatherings, so you have bought sets upon sets… leaving this to your kitchen cabinets can become daunting. Nicely arranged tableware, like plates, bowls, and glasses, can create a lovely display that remains semi-tucked away from the daily bustle.

Image: Montenegro Quartz Walk-In Pantry Countertop Slab from Arizona Tile

Pantry Cabinets and Countertops

Cabinets can function similarly to shelving in your pantry, except here you can tuck things away. Maybe you like the open-shelf idea for your tableware but desire a closed door over your food items—this versatility is customizable in your walk-in pantry. If you have cabinets, adding a countertop is a wonderful idea. Marble, quartzite, and quartz, for example, don’t need to stop dazzling before you open that pantry door. Adding a countertop creates a great space for a coffee bar and the accouterments that come along with it. What’s better for a coffee bar than a deep color slab that can conceal a little sprinkling of coffee grounds and cup rings… Montenegro quartz can handle this task.

Even though it is black, and your pantry is a somewhat smaller space, Montenegro will create a show-stopping element with its stunning features. If you feel concerned that your walk-in pantry will start to feel closed in with this, decorate around it in white to add a brighter feel. In doing so, this countertop will pop! Below this, more cabinets can host those larger appliances that are best hidden when not in use.

Image: Calacatta Quartzite Walk-in Pantry Countertop from Arizona Tile

Before your countertops are installed, you need to consider the edge profile you would like. In a smaller space, more simple profiles help create a sleek, polished look, whereas detailed edge profiles can add a busy feeling. Also, given a pantry is a smaller area than your kitchen, bumping into these edges may be more likely. Many soft profile edges, like an ogee countertop edge, can add simplicity and not create an over-defined edge. The last thing you’ll appreciate is trying to put goods away in your pantry and whacking your hip into a squared-off edge. Rounded edges do hurt less; plus, they also hold up when accidentally hit with something while organizing.  Consider Bianco Pearl for a timeless, versatile design aesthetic. Pair it with Calacatta Umber tile, and your pantry might just become the best-designed space in your home.

Butler’s Pantry

We covered the importance of shelves, cabinets, and countertops, but your pantry might be more than that. A luxurious take on a pantry is a butler’s pantry that can be used for meal preparation and may include a small sink, some appliances, and a wine fridge. A butler’s pantry is a multi-use space that goes above and beyond a means of storage.

If you love hosting gatherings, you may benefit from a butler’s pantry to keep food messes tucked away, along with dirty dishes and clutter that you don’t want to be displayed. On a day-to-day basis, this luxury feature keeps your kitchen cleaner, neater, and more presentable. To further enhance a luxurious design, Taj Mahal and Calacatta quartzite are two stellar options for both countertops and walls. Using a slab or large-format tile on a wall creates simple cleaning without the worry of grout lines getting dirty. A slab also creates a streamlined appearance that can help enhance a smaller space.

Image: Calacatta Umber Honed Marble Pantry Countertop from Arizona Tile

Come Visit!

Come and visit an Arizona Tile store or slab yard to see the best tile and stone options for your pantry design. We know it is not always easy to choose, so seeing products in person and using our Just Imagine- Tile and Slab Visualizer will be helpful. If you have questions, please reach out!