Picking your perfect pantry- The different practical uses of the feature cupboard

Why is the pantry such a sought after feature?

The humble pantry is a cupboard with a difference- creating a style statement whilst holding an abundance of practical value.

‘Pantry’ is believed to have originated from the French word ‘pan,’ meaning bread, as the large cupboard was originally used as a cool, dark place to store perishable foods. Now, thanks to the ‘Downton Abbey’ effect, the pantry has once again become a desirable kitchen feature, as people strive to have an authentic, traditional kitchen that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, at the heart of their homes.

With an array of tailoring options available, including combination shelving, dovetail drawers, bi-folding doors, integrated chopping boards and spice racks, it’s easier than ever to design a pantry to fit your unique shape and style.

So, what are the different uses of a kitchen pantry?

1.Storing away kitchen staples

Ample storage is an obvious benefit of a pantry, so the most clear use for the feature is to store away all of your kitchen essentials, such a dried goods, teas/coffees, eggs, and everything in between. With the choice of drawers below, a cupboard, or a combination of the two, you can design a pantry to reflect your needs perfectly, and if you opt for traditional pantry doors, door racks can also be installed to increase storage possibilities further.

Styling tip: Use a selection of jars or storage containers to display dried foods like cereal and baking ingredients, to add to the traditional appearance of your pantry, as shown below in this beautiful design from Heart of Your Home Kitchens.

Design from Heart of Your Home Kitchens

2. Housing appliances and chopping boards

If you’re looking for a storage solution to help with de-cluttering your worksurfaces, a pantry is the perfect place to house your appliances behind closed doors, such as a toaster, coffee maker, microwave and kettle.

The internal design of your pantry can be tailored to perfectly accommodate the electricals you wish to store away, whether you want to permanently integrate them (as shown with the integrated coffee machine in our Ovolo pantry above), or whether you need shelves to be the optimum height to house certain appliances (shown below in a design from Inline Kitchens). Electrical sockets can also be planned into your design, so that your appliances can be efficiently used whilst within the pantry, without unnecessary extension cables and wires.

To further minimise clutter on your worksurfaces, chopping boards and serving trays can also be integrated into your pantry (as shown above), in a clever tuck-away design that adds functionality and an attractive aesthetic element with a contrasting, washed oak texture.

Design from Inline Kitchens

3. A drinks cabinet

Design from Elliott’s Living Spaces

If you’re looking to create a striking, glamorous statement with your pantry, why not opt to use it as a drinks cabinet? With shelves for your glistening wine glasses, a worksurface to prepare your G&T, and the option to integrate a natural oak bottle rack into your shelving, it’s the perfect choice if your kitchen is the social hub of the house!

Styling tip: Your drinks cabinet will command the attention of the room with eye-catching, internal ambient lighting, as shown below in a design from Elements Kitchens.

Design from Elements Kitchens

4. Create a coffee/breakfast station

Kitchen belonging to My Church House

With shelves for your cereal and condiments, the option to integrate a coffee machine, store a kettle and toaster, and a worksurface for creating your breakfast masterpieces, a pantry would be the perfect station to dedicate to your first meal of the day.

Or, if a coffee is the only thing you reach for on a morning, why not turn your pantry into a sophisticated coffee station, complete with everything you or your guests should ever need to make the perfect cup?

5. A baking station

Design from Elements Kitchens

Last but not least, a pantry is the ideal place for a keen baker to store and display their baking essentials- with a worktop to house a mixer or food processor, shelves or door racks to display dry baking ingredients, and drawers below to tidy away important utensils- having everything you could need at your fingertips will make your baking experience smoother than ever before.

Styling tip: Pantry shelves are a great place to display your colourful recipe books for all to see!

Design from Elements Kitchens

Have we inspired you to consider a pantry for your upcoming kitchen design? How will you be using your 1909 pantry? Discuss your ideas further and begin your planning process with one of our specialist 1909 kitchen retailers across the UK: https://www.1909kitchens.co.uk/retailers

Want to explore more of what 1909 has to offer? Check out our fully styled kitchen sets and explore our door offering further on the 1909 website or via our brochure (available to download via website).