Designing the Perfect Butler's Pantry
Organise + design your kitchen reno Resources
The Butler’s Pantry. It’s fast becoming a must-have when designing a new kitchen - and for good reason.
This workhorse can handle all the messy tasks once reserved for its better-looking sister, the kitchen - all while remaining out of sight of your guests who just popped in unannounced. Brilliant.
Designing a butler’s pantry from scratch is a fabulous opportunity to create the ultimate solution for yourself. Get it right, and your new pantry will make everyday tasks a breeze. But get it wrong, and you might actually create more work for yourself. Here’s how…
The Stables • Modern Butler’s Pantry Design
Hecker Guthrie • White Minimal Butler’s Pantry Design
Step 1
The first decision you need to make when designing your new butler’s pantry is to decide exactly what you intend to use it for. Sounds simple enough, but the clearer you get about what tasks you want the pantry to tackle, the more you can refine your design to ensure it fulfils this purpose without skipping a beat.
It takes two, baby
Remember, your butler’s pantry is still that - a pantry. One of the most common mistakes people make when designing their pantry, is they unknowingly design a second kitchen. Then they find themselves continually walking back and forth between the two.
Your pantry should be a natural extension of your kitchen, to allow for a seamless workflow. It does not need to perform every task currently undertaken by your kitchen, only those tasks you want it to. Enjoy cooking in your kitchen? Ditch the second cooktop. Hate clutter on benchtops? Your pantry can fix that. Got it?
Hecker Guthrie • Simple Butler’s Pantry Design
The Stables • Light Grey Kitchen Butler’s Pantry
Show me the money 🤑
Now that you’ve got your list of tasks, you’re ready to start designing your pantry. Remember to think each decision through carefully to ensure you get the most bang for your buck. Minimising inclusions you don’t need leaves more cash for those inclusions on your wish list. Now that’s smart design.
So let’s look at the main points you’ll need to consider as you design your perfect butler’s pantry.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
The ideal location for your butler’s pantry is directly off your kitchen. The closer and more accessible it is, the better. Decide whether you want to hide the pantry behind a door, or leave it open. If opting to close it off, ensure any doors can be kept open if required, as opening a door continually may wear thin very quickly.
NTF Architecture • Black Kitchen Butler’s Pantry Design
Does Size Matter?
There are no rules when it comes to the size and shape of butler’s pantries. You may be restricted by an existing footprint if you’re renovating, or limited by budget and kitchen footprint if building. The perfect size for your pantry will largely be determined by what you intend to use it for. The one guideline you will want to follow is to allow a minimum of approximately 950mm for your walkway, or up to 1200mm if space allows.
Moloney Architects • Moody Black Butler’s Pantry Design
Three Birds Renovations • White VJ Panelling Kitchen Design
On the Surface
Benchtops should ideally be at least 450mm deep, or 600mm+ deep if you’re planning to include a sink or dishwasher. Ensure you allow for clear bench top space for food prep and air drying dishes out of sight, as well as space for small appliances which you access regularly.
Z + S Tip • If you’re opting for natural stone benchtops in your kitchen, a low-maintenance, easy-to-clean surface may be a smart investment in your pantry.
I’ve got the Power
Include at least 2 double powerpoints (or more!) so that appliances can be plugged in and ready for use. You may also choose to charge phones or small devices in your pantry, so consider the best location for power sources to meet these needs.
Mim Design • White Sleek Butler’s Pantry
Nicole Hollis • Open Shelving Butler’s Pantry
Storage is King
Consider including a range of drawers, cupboards and open shelves, ensuring there is adequate storage for large appliances and serving ware. Any overhead shelving or cupboards should be at least 150mm deep up to 300mm deep, depending on what you’re planning to store. Generally, we install overheads that are 250-300mm deep to ensure they are functional and can store a variety of items.
Z + S Tip • Drawers are a fabulous pantry storage solution, allowing you to access the items at the back easily. They are also more costly than cupboards, so consider the cost versus the benefit to find a happy medium.
Let there be light
Ensure your pantry has adequate lighting, and include a source of natural light if possible. LED strip lighting installed to the underside of overheads provides fabulous task lighting for meal prep. Also ensure you allow for adequate ventilation, particularly if including a dishwasher, cooktop or oven.
Heartly Design Studio • White and Timber Butler’s Pantry Design
Three Birds Renovations • White and Brass Butler’s Pantry
Turn me on
Consider including a fridge or microwave and allow for power and water if required.
A sink and dishwasher are the ultimate inclusions in your pantry, but only if you need them! If you’re installing either, consider where you will store items that have been washed. If cutlery and crockery are stored in your kitchen, you may find yourself walking back and forth to your kitchen when unpacking every load. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Those Little extras
It’s the little things that will take your butler’s pantry to the next level. You’ll never regret including a rubbish bin concealed within the cabinetry, and it’s actually vital if there is a sink. A whiteboard or pinboard for notes and shopping lists may also prove to be one of your favourite inclusions.
Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Micro Butler’s Pantry
Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Micro Butler’s Pantry
Small but Mighty
Short on space but want to keep your appliances out of sight and bench tops clutter free? An integrated Micro Butler’s Pantry may be the perfect solution for you! In this micro butler’s pantry, we included pocket doors, which slide into their own custom cavity when open - yet can be closed to hide away mess and clutter when entertaining.
So there you have it. No matter the size, a butler’s pantry can be designed to meet your needs perfectly. Just remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as everyone uses their kitchen and butler’s pantry a little differently. Spending the time to consider the design of your new pantry will pay off every day in time saved through efficient workflow and the overall enjoyment of working in your new kitchen.
