40 Walk-In Pantry Ideas To Instantly Upgrade Kitchen Storage

Posted on by Sharing
Walk-in pantries can be an essential part of any kitchen, allowing ample space for storage, prep, and even that coffee bar you’ve always dreamed of. But knowing how to make the most of your space is paramount.

Here, we collected our best ideas for walk-in pantries to help you ensure this workhorse lives up to its potential—and then some.

Antique Door

Adding an antique door to your pantry can lend a big dose of personality and custom charm to your kitchen. Look for a door that fits your home’s aesthetic and style, but one that also keeps the space highly functional.

Entertaining Pantry

A pantry doesn’t have to be all open shelves and snack storage. If seamless entertaining is your goal, a pantry that’s designed to be a prep area and also stow a mess in a flash is ideal.

Consider keeping the design similar to your main kitchen or allow this to be a space where you have some fun with color, pattern, and pizzazz.

Extra Appliance Space
Pantry with Appliances and Ceiling Mounted Shelves
A walk-in pantry can be an ideal area for storing small appliances. From microwaves to dishwashers, and even an extra oven if you have the budget and space for these elevated upgrades. Making the space hard working with minimal clutter can ensure your pantry becomes a true dream for cooking, prepping, and entertaining.

Barn Door

For pantry entryways with enough exterior wall space to allow, a barn door can add a rustic aesthetic. When moving between the pantry and the kitchen, keeping the door in an open position allows for maximum doorway space, though it can just as easily be closed off when the space is not in use.

Shiplap Walls

Nothing brings the cottage charm quite like a shiplap application on the walls. Painted a pretty putty-hued neutral, it can create a warm and cozy hideaway from the main kitchen. Just because it’s a utility space, doesn’t mean your pantry needs to lack style.

Center Island

Pantry with Wallpaper Ceiling and Center Island
While an island is a decidedly kitchen-centric feature, it can get in on the action in the pantry, too. Here, a moveable wood table can be repositioned depending on where it’s needed or simply scoot out of the way when more floor space is required.

One more prep surface is always a plus—especially when it’s slightly removed from the traffic of the kitchen.

Open Shelves

A walk-in pantry can be a space for storing snacks and other non-perishables, but that’s not its only gig. If you regularly entertain and have a party-worthy lineup of serving pieces to prove it, consider installing open shelving in your pantry. Not only does it make it easy to take stake of your pieces, but it’s also convenient for grabbing and going when needed.

Second Appliances

Second appliances in a walk-in pantry? If the budget allows, we’re all for it.

From wine fridges to artisan ice makers, making your pantry a space that works for you while also speaking to your specific needs and desires will be a dream come true.

Farmhouse Sink

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that there’s always need for one more sink—specifically when it’s a deep farmhouse-style number. This one is ideal for cutting fresh flowers, soaking large pots, and even for using as an out-of-sight drop spot for dirty dishes when you have a house full of guests.

Double Doors

Go unexpected by giving a narrow entryway into a walk-in pantry the double door treatment. These thin, tall doors add character and interest to the kitchen.

While the frosted glass lets light pass into the pantry, it also ensures the space can remain one that puts function over form. After all, closing off a mess by simply shutting a door will always remain one of the greatest hosting tricks of all time.

Extra Counter Space

We’ll never turn down extra counter space, especially when it comes in a tucked-away destination like the pantry. Make your walk-in the ultimate prep space with countertops to spare. From areas to store extra produce and baked goods to designated zones for mealtime prep, there’s no shortage of ways an extra countertop slab can be put to use.

Threshold Overhead Cabinet

A walk-in pantry can provide storage in spades, but maximizing its potential can start before you even set foot in the space. An overhead cabinet above the entry is the perfect spot for storing larger pieces or items that you don’t use regularly. Just make sure you have a stepstool nearby for easy access when needed.

Mixed Cabinets and Shelves

Making the most of your walk-in pantry might not mean a singular approach to organization, but instead a mix of drawers, cabinets, and open shelves. Cabinets can hide away the things that you don’t necessarily use as frequently or items that you don’t want on display, whereas shelves can make an efficient use of space and time, ensuring you can see what you’re working with and grab it quickly when needed—an absolute necessity if you cook and/or entertain regularly.

Hallway Pantry

If you don’t have space within your kitchen for a large walk-in pantry, consider utilizing a nearby closet or building out a separate space that will fill the role. Here a short hallway separates the kitchen from the pantry, ensuring they’re close enough to still be efficient while also working with the layout of the home.

See-Through Storage Containers

When designing and organizing your pantry, it’s important to think about accessibility—and that starts with being able to see what you’re working with. Clear or wire storage bins, lazy Susans, risers, and glass canisters are all tools for making grabbing what you need a cinch.

Pendant Light Fixture

Like a mudroom or laundry room, a walk-in pantry can be a fun place to add an unexpected flourish. A pendant light fixture or chandelier can be just the ticket, adding much needed light in the interior space while also dousing it with personality.

Cutting Board Storage

Go beyond food storage and think about how your pantry can be a place to display your collections and/or cooking tools. Ones that you use regularly or that you want to show off can even be used as décor, as shown here, should you have the wall space.

Pot Filler

No sink? No problem. A pot filler installed in the pantry can be used to fill coffee pots, vases, pet bowls, and more.

When designing a pantry from the ground up, think about lighting, plumbing, and electrical needs from the start to maximize your space’s potential.

Floor Space Organization

Under-utilize your floor space and you’ll be missing out on some major walk-in pantry potential. Whether it’s extra snacks, bottled water, or paper goods, your floor’s stash can be just as organized as the shelf space.

Use the same strategy you use above (baskets, containers, etc.) and you’ll have an organized area that doesn’t feel the least bit cluttered—even if it is maximized from floor to ceiling.

Pull-Out Shelves

Shelves don’t have to mean static storage. Baskets can effortlessly glide over the surface for easy removal or even simply to get a better look at the contents within. To make matters even more easy to work with, add labels on each of the baskets so you can spot what you need in a flash.

Small Appliance Storage

Small appliances are necessary, but can sometimes be a real nuisance when it comes to storage space. Either they take up too much of it, or you vanquish them to the countertop where they can make even a spacious kitchen feel cluttered.

Designated spots for your slow cooker, blender, toaster, and more can help keep your kitchen organized while also ensuring your small appliances are at the ready for their next job—no digging into the recesses of your cabinet when you want to make a simple piece of toast.

Wrap-Around Storage
Don’t let an inch of space in your walk-in pantry go to waste. Instead, wrap your storage onto every wall. If you have a tall ceiling in your pantry, extend your shelving as high as possible, placing items you don’t use as often on the higher shelves. A step stool or small ladder can help you reach these items when they are needed.

Breakfast Beverage Spot

Coffee lovers, rejoice. Your walk-in pantry is about to get a dreamy makeover with the addition of an at-home coffee bar.

Store all your pods, tea bags, and breakfast beverage accoutrements, in glass cylinders that will make your morning cup even more of a treat thanks to this coffee-centric design idea.

Decanter Storage Containers

Glass and Lucite can go a long way for providing quick ID of all your pantry contents. Use a mix of containers in varying sizes and shapes to meet the demands of your pantry, all in clear finishes for a clean and consistent look.

Open Cabinets

Skip the doors in your pantry for maximum accessibility. Risers for spices, lazy Susans, and stackable containers can make the most of your space without giving visibility a hit.

Corner Cabinets

If there’s one space where you don’t want to neglect even a single square inch, it’s the pantry. Make the most of your corners by utilizing wrap-around shelves and complementary storage solutions that will keep these nooks and crannies highly functional.

Coffee Zone

Countertop clutter can quickly get out of control if you let it. Consider moving all your coffee items to the pantry—including the pot. This can free up valuable kitchen space, and streamline your morning routine when everything you need is in one place.

Tip

When you’re entertaining, whether for the weekend or just a few hours, consider moving your coffee bar out of the closet to make it easier for guests to access.

Categorized Bins

Go general for categorizing bins to make unpacking groceries a breeze. Think “breakfast” instead of “oatmeal” and “grab and go” rather than “granola bars.”

That way, when preferences change (this is especially applicable for houses with little ones who oftentimes have fickle tastes) you’ll still be covered—no new labels required.

No Door Storage

Even if your space is packed, it can still be packed to perfection without the need of doors to hide clutter. The trick is to stick to categories and ensure everything has a rightful place. If you start with a storage plan that makes sense to you, keeping it organized will be easy peasy.

Systematic Storage

When everything has a place, putting away groceries is no longer a loathsome task. Create a system in your pantry that speaks to how you shop, eat, or stock your shelves. An intuitive plan will pay off with time- and sanity-saving benefits for the long haul.

Vacuum Charging Station

While a vacuum might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to items that are helpful to have in a pantry, you might soon find yourself with a new pantry MVP if you keep this appliance close by and at the ready. A wall-mounted vacuum charging station can make quick work of kitchen messes and even add a new routine to your nightly cleanup. Your dazzling floors will thank you.

Countertop Space
Countertop space can be a valuable asset in a pantry. Use it for additional storage, to set up a work station (coffee bar, slow cooker area, etc.), or even as a prep zone. Just keep in mind what you’ll be using it for when selecting your countertop as this can affect the material you choose.

Room to Breathe

It’s okay to not fully utilize your storage space. Room to breathe is never a bad thing and can make your space feel larger than it is. If you start to find your space getting too packed, it might be time to comb through looking for items to donate or give away.

Simple Aesthetic

 Whether you have a small budget or you just prefer a less-is-more look, keeping the design in your walk-in pantry simple can still make for a fully functional space.

And, while you might see your social feed packed to the max with color-coded storage solutions and pricey bins and boxes, don’t feel like your space needs to follow suit. Use the items you already have to both maximize your space and your budget.

Window Light

If you’re blessed with a window in your pantry, first, consider yourself lucky. Then, find a way to work around it without covering up the natural light that can lend natural beauty to this utilitarian space.

Pull-Out Shelves

Maximize your shelves by installing pullout drawers complete with additional organization containers within. This highly functional system will keep your space neat and orderly whether you’re quickly gathering food supplies or unloading from a grocery run.

Storage as Décor

If you have a pretty collection of glassware, love showing off your serving pieces, or even have a huge stash of candles, consider putting them on display on open shelves in your pantry. Group similar items together and play with the layout until it looks pleasing to the eye. If you’re really going for aesthetics, select complementary storage pieces to bring the look home.

Small Pantry Storage

So your walk-in pantry is more like a step-in pantry? No problem. Make it highly functional with a mix of open shelves, pull out drawers, baskets, and bins.

Creating a system is paramount no matter the size of your space. Develop your own system and stick to it for a small pantry with big potential.

Appliance Outlets

Don’t overlook electrical outlet placement when it comes to designing your walk-in pantry. You can easily utilize the space for housing a microwave, slow cooker, toaster, and more as long as you plan ahead.

Consider your needs on a daily basis and loop in a designer or professional organizer for any tips, tricks, or missed opportunities to further maximize the space.

Dark Palette

Give your walk-in pantry a dark treatment for a moody space that makes storage an elegant affair. Just make sure your storage items pop against the dark shelves or walls to ensure it’s easy to spot what you’re looking for.

Clear canisters with black labels and white name tags can help keep with the elevated aesthetic while making the grab-and-go process a breeze.