According to one report, three in five homeowners are looking for ways to make their kitchens bigger. Whether the heart of your home is spacious and open or you could use a little more square footage, there are simple and practical ways to maximize the space you have.
One of those is to take a close look at your pantry!
When remodeling a small kitchen, efficiency and practicality are key. If you haven’t given much thought to your pantry design and organization, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on some valuable space-saving solutions. There are many ways to help this storage space work for you!
From adjusting the layout and adding new furniture to transforming the lighting and even using new colors, these tweaks are economical and easy to complete but make a major impression. Today, we’re sharing a few of the top places to start and what items to use!
Space-Saving Pantry Solutions: Making the Most of What You Have
When it’s time to tackle kitchen renovations, you might be tempted to start with the big-ticket items, such as new countertops, cabinets, and flooring. While these transformations can certainly breathe new life into any space, you can also enhance the look and livability of this room by focusing on the small details.
This is especially true in the pantry. Unless you’re doing a major overhaul, you might not have the ability to expand this room to be any bigger than it already is. If that’s the case, it’s smart to work with what’s there!
Instead of re-doing everything from scratch, try to determine where you could save existing space. Some examples include:
- Adding a pegboard to a bare wall for hanging storage
- Putting dry goods into glass jars or bins to avoid bulky boxes
- Installing a rack on the back of the door to hold pot lids
- Using stackable trays for small food items and accessories
All of these ideas utilize affordable materials and don’t require any major modifications to your pantry. With a little brainstorming, you can discover all kinds of unused space you didn’t even know was there!
Track System Magic: Streamlining Your Pantry Organization
Are you tired of looking all around your pantry trying to find that one item you need? While you’re re-structuring everything, take the time to sort your items, too. Try to place similar items, such as flour and sugar, together so you always know where to look.
While open shelving is a smart idea, look for a few areas where you can install pull-out drawers on a track system, instead. These keep your goods out of sight when not in use, but they’re still easy to access. Smaller items like condiments, cake mixes, snacks, and baking goods fit inside easily!
Closet Transformation: Repurposing for a Functional Pantry
Do you have an empty closet near your kitchen that you’re not using? Perhaps it’s a small coat closet off the living room or a storage closet near the front foyer. A favorite small kitchen pantry design kitchen remodeling idea is to turn this spot into your pantry!
Even if it doesn’t serve as your primary pantry, it can still be a great spot to stash some of the food items and appliances you don’t use regularly, such as the blender or bread maker.
Slim and Smart: Maximizing Storage in a Tight Space
When space is tight in your pantry, you don’t need any oversized items taking up space in your cabinets or on your shelves. Some of the top tools to employ include:
- Over-the-door organizers for canned goods
- Under-shelf baskets
- Shelf risers
The key is to minimize any materials that aren’t necessary, from cereal boxes to bulk-sized containers. These solutions help you double or even triple your storage capacity.
Drawer Delight: Efficient and Accessible Pantry Design
When remodeling a small kitchen, drawers are key. In the pantry, look for ones that fit the aesthetic and theme of your kitchen and organize them by use. Try to keep like items together, and use a labeling system to help you remember where everything is.
Containment Mastery: Keeping Your Pantry Tidy
While it can be helpful to decant your loose items (e.g. dry pasta, cereal, flour) into containers, you don’t have to do this to everything in your pantry. Instead, focus on the areas where this would realistically offer a space-saving solution.
Use clear bins and containers to streamline the appearance of your shelves and help you identify what’s inside.
Floating Elegance: Stylish and Practical Pantry Shelves
If you need more storage space for your small pantry remodel, consider adding a few more shelves! Floating shelves don’t take up a ton of space but they allow you to move items off the floor.
Try using different depths to accommodate different types of items. For instance, shelves devoted to canned goods can be shallower than ones devoted to coffee tins and bulk-sized goods.
Furniture Fusion: Incorporating Pieces for Pantry Storage
Sometimes, the best way to approach a small kitchen redesign is to shop in other areas of your home! If space allows, you may be able to fit a piece of furniture in this space, such as a small linen closet. This can be a great way to put everything away and conceal some of the clutter.
Even a small nightstand can add more counter space and cabinet storage. Look for pieces you aren’t using and consider if they can pull double duty.
Cabinet Pantries: Smart and Organized Storage Solutions
Open shelves can look beautiful in a kitchen, but cabinets are a great place to stash some of your less attractive items.
If you have room in yours, consider hiring a contractor to add a few cabinets either above or below your pantry countertop. Then, add some beautiful hardware to elevate the look. This is a low cost kitchen renovation that makes a major impression.
Walk-In Wonders: Small Yet Spacious Pantry Ideas
When planning kitchen renovations, many homeowners choose to upgrade their small pantry into a walk-in one. If you’re fortunate enough to have one already, you can save on your kitchen remodel cost by reconfiguring it. A few ways to maximize the space include:
- Incorporating baskets for storage
- Adding open shelving
- Adding countertops and cabinets
- Installing shelf drawers
- Adding lazy susans for small-item storage
Walk-in pantries look gorgeous with a continuous countertop that runs from one side of the wall to the other. If you’re installing a new one, look for a material that looks beautiful but can still hold up to years of wear and tear. Our Viatera quartzite collection passes the test, adding a touch of elegance without compromising durability or performance.
Butler’s Pantry Brilliance: Stylish and Functional Design
A butler’s pantry is an intermediary room usually located between a kitchen and a dining room. A feature once reserved for large homes only, more homeowners are embracing this concept due to its practicality and convenience.
A butler’s pantry serves two primary purposes: storage and staging. If you have a small room that would work for this spot, it not only gives you more room but also serves as a great place to plate your food before serving.
Hidden Storage Secrets: Concealing Your Pantry Items
Looking for a way to keep your pantry items accessible but still concealed? Some of our favorite hidden storage containers include:
- Woven baskets
- Wooden crates
- Metal canisters
- Opaque jars
These accessories look beautiful when organized neatly on a shelf and no one will know what’s inside!
Modernizing Butler’s Pantries: Contemporary Style Tips
If your butler’s pantry could use a makeover, there are a few easy ways to freshen up the space.
First, you can upgrade the existing countertop with a new, modern one such as a porcelain surface counter from our Teracanto collection. Available in a range of tones, these counters are stunning while still practical.
Next, consider painting or replacing the cabinets, swapping out the hardware, and refreshing your decor. If your floors can use a refresh, this might be the ideal time to upgrade your kitchen to luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Our HFLOR LVT collection is the epitome of sophistication and strength.
Farmhouse Charm: Rustic Pantry Design Inspiration
Are you looking for inspiration for your budget kitchen remodel? If you’re a fan of the modern farmhouse aesthetic, you’re in luck. This style, made popular by design icons such as Joanna Gaines, has revolutionized the interior decorating world and even extends to your pantry.
Easy ways to capture farmhouse charm in this space include:
- Using antique bins and crates for storage
- Repurposing vintage furniture, such as a small cabinet
- Hanging shabby chic artwork as decor
Canning Convenience: Smart Storage for Preserving Goodies
If you can your own food or simply appreciate the convenience of pre-canned items, you need pantry remodel ideas that will help you store these goods with ease. You can use over-the-door organizers, door racks, and shallow shelving to hold all of your preserved favorites!
Remodeling a Small Kitchen? Contact Us
With the right approach, you can help your small pantry work for you!
Looking for expert instructions and advice for remodeling a small kitchen pantry design? If so, our team at LX Hausys is happy to help! Contact us today to learn more about our premium building materials and expert design and installation services.