Design Considerations: Pantries
If I were to make a list of house features that may not make it to a buyer’s “must have list” but quickly become something they can’t live without, the kitchen pantry would be near the top. The storage possibilities of an organized pantry can bring calm and order to an otherwise busy kitchen. I have seen many examples of well-planned pantries in the houses I have viewed, and here are a few insights for designing a new or existing one.
* Variety - Varied shelf height can minimize unused space as well as provide room for smaller items like soup cans that could get lost behind large cereal boxes.
* Function - Increase the function of each shelf by adding some pull-out drawers/bins, wire baskets, hooks, bottle racks, and corner shelves that rotate.
* Workspace - A small counter space in addition to storage is helpful for organizing or prepping.
* Floor Space - Leave room for heavy items like a case of water to slide under a shelf and out of the walkway.
* Light it Up - Overhead and/or task lighting is essential to finding and accessing items that could otherwise end up lost in the dark. A welcoming pantry is more likely to be used and valued. At the same time, include some outlets for appliances or tech.
* Need a Pantry? You can get creative with a free-standing unit which is like a wardrobe for your kitchen. Find space in a nearby coat closet or under a staircase. Convert a corner of an attached garage which often enters into or near the kitchen with deep cubbies and storage bins.
I can show you some great examples in the many houses I view each week along the SF Peninsula.
Nancy Palmer, CRS Broker Associate REALTOR® DRE #00525350 Compass | Woodside D 650.492.0200 | O 650.529.1111 www.NancyPalmer.com
Image courtesy of Cristie Guevara / PublicDomainPictures.net
