Including a butler’s pantry in your custom home build is a great way to create an additional work and storage space close to the kitchen. While being functional it also allows you to hide away the things you don’t want on display every day or when entertaining.
Knowing what to include in the design of your butler’s pantry depends on the essential needs of your lifestyle and how you want the space to function for your family. For instance, you may keep items you use every day in your kitchen and store food, appliances and additional items for entertaining in your butler’s pantry. Alternately you may design your butler’s pantry to incorporate an additional sink, bench space, second fridge and baking area so you can “hide” your prep space when you entertain.
Once you identify how you want to utilise the butler’s pantry you move to considering how you what the space to function for ease of access. The easier it is to use, the more motivated you will be to keep the space clean and free of clutter!
Here’s some ideas:
- Have a full wall of storage: Heavier appliances, at the bottom, food and pantry items in middle and lighter things like the picnic basket or party supplies at the top.
- Add a kitchen sink which is big enough to put your largest baking pan in for easy cleaning. It also means if you need to soak a pan you can still use your main kitchen sink.
- Incorporate space for you’re a second fridge and/or freezer so you aren’t caught short on cold drinks or ice when entertaining.
- If you don’t use your microwave or other appliances regularly design the butler’s pantry with power-points and enough space to use them in-situ.
Don’t forget being functional doesn’t mean a space can’t be beautiful. Paint colour, tiles, lighting, storage baskets and containers and bench tops can be all be chosen to make your butler’s pantry a space in your home that is not only practical but is appealing to your eye.
