Plan for the Pantry

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Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza

February 8, 2016

The next project at HQ is the pantry.

As explained in this post, here is my wish list for our pantry:

A cabinet for trash and recycling so the cans aren’t just out in the middle of the pantry.
12-inch deep shelves throughout the pantry, which means removing the 7-inch shelves currently there.
Remove the wonky, not helpful storage cabinets at the top of the pantry and replace with the shelves mentioned above.
Paint the trim and walls to match the kitchen paint – I never got around to this when I redid the kitchen trim and paint.

Pantry left side and garbage cans out - thediybungalow.com

I had planned to do this work in late December-early January, but then we had the pipe drilled-through-leak in the family room to deal with, and two construction projects going on simultaneously is not good for my sanity. So, now it’s time to renovate the pantry!

Since my initial thoughts about the pantry, I’ve had a few additional thoughts:

Would cabinets in the pantry work better than shelves? On the one hand, cabinets would put everything behind closed doors, so we don’t have to look at everything all the time. On the other hand, I think we’d have more space with shelves (because they could run the full length and height of the space).
Do I want this to look like a pretty butler’s pantry space? Or just a storage area/more utilitarian?
If I choose shelves, do I hang them on the wall directly or on a track system, or have shelving units that can be moved?

My daughter helped me draw the measurements for the pantry space:

Measurements for pantry renovation - thediybungalow.com

So, my next step is to head to IKEA and the Container Store and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and see what my options are in terms of reasonably-priced cabinets and shelving. Once I have an idea of what the options look like, I can better determine which one is the right one. (I’m one of those visual types that needs to see everything before I can make a decision!)

And then I can demo the pantry! Now that’s exciting!

What do you think? Cabinets or shelving? Pretty or utilitarian (or both)? I’d love your advice!

10 responses to “Plan for the Pantry”

Jane

February 8, 2016

My vote is for shelves but behind real doors. I have noticed antique armoires used as a pantries and that ok is great too.

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1. Karen Cooper
  
  February 9, 2016
  
  That would be cool if I could find something to repurpose that was the right size. Hmmm…an excuse to go shopping!! 🙂 Thanks!
  
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Geri

February 8, 2016

I have both. On one side of my pantry I have open shelves where I keep most of my groceries. On the other side, I have cabinets and use that area for extra dishes, appliances, and other stuff. Since I have four dogs, I like having an area I can close off and keep the dog hair out!.

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1. Karen Cooper
  
  February 9, 2016
  
  Exactly! I think that’s what I’m going to end up doing – although only cabinets at the bottom of the one side because we have to work around an electrical panel higher up. Thanks! Yay dogs!!
  
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Penny Gharst

February 8, 2016

I would have cabinets and shelves. Also I would want a door on the pantry to pull shut if necessary. If I had a pantry my appliances would be in there and all my cookie sheets and awkward pans and lids could be stored in there. How lucky you are to have this space.

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1. Karen Cooper
  
  February 9, 2016
  
  Thanks, Penny! Agreed! I did have doors on the pantry, but, when open, they blocked the silverware drawers! Oops! So, I took them off and put on a sliding door (that post is here: https://www.dogsdonteatpizza.com/turn-door-sliding-door/), which was a good idea, but the door was too heavy. When I took it down to paint the kitchen, I never put it back. But I agree a door would be helpful. I’m thinking I’ll go to the ReStore and find a door that would be solid but lighter to make into a sliding door. Thank you!!
  
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Karen

February 8, 2016

Hi Karen—-I e-mailed you some storage ideas that I have pinned. I hope you get them! What about open shelving on one side of your pantry (left) and bottom cabinets and counter top on the other so you can have slide out recycling bins hidden behind cabinet doors? Counter top (with outlets available) and your blender, food processor, mixer, etc. on top of counter for easy access and use? You could even have a tall , narrow, floor to ceiling cabinet at the end of the counter (to the right as soon as you enter the pantry) if you want a broom closet, too, for broom, mop, vacuum hose, etc. I see a bulletin board to the left of the window. Would you use a kitchen “office” back there? You could have a useful yet somewhat narrow counter top across that wall and window which would blend in (same height) as one of the shelves on the left hand side wall. You could have drawers under the “desk” counter on the left side and keep the bulletin board where it is. Actually, a “desk” counter should be the same height as a counter on the right hand wall, too, if you go with that. I’m sure you could find a stool the right height! Cookbook shelves could be in that “desk” area, too. Go for pretty and utilitarian! Karen

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1. Karen Cooper
  
  February 9, 2016
  
  Karen, Thank you for sending me the pins – they are awesome! What you describe in the first sentence above is what I’m going to do. There are some obstacles/challenges to work around – the electrical panel is on one side and so is the only outlet in there. So, on that side, I’m going to put a cabinet and countertop with microwave and mixer on top. On the other side, shelves on a track/wall brackets. Stay tuned! Thank you again!!
  
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Karen

February 10, 2016

I can’t wait to watch and read about the pantry project as it progresses!

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1. Karen Cooper
  
  February 10, 2016
  
  Thank you! I struck out today at the ReStore looking for a door, but I think I’ve got the shelving and cabinet all ready to go. Fingers crossed!
  
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