Kitchen size would dictate, but I find shelving, provided it is not too deep, is more accessible than sliding units. I also live with people who don't know how to close things.

We design our pantry with a small sink. I now wish I had more shelves to store food. If your kitchen sink is close to your pantry don't bother unless eg... - you entertain a lot and want to hide dirty plates as they cycle through the dishwasher in the pantry - have your fridge in the pantry and need to wash vegies, rinse out food storage containers, or - intend having you mixer/thermo in the room and need to rinse or drain food prep. Personally I think I'd rather be in the kitchen with family than working in a pantry.

Hi I am really interested in this discussion for similar reasons. Currently our plans squeeze in a pantry under the stairs so 1.5 m X 1 m. Builder suggests we shrink ensuite from 3350 x 1650 to 2350 x1650 long so it becomes a proper walk in pantry 2m x1.5 m. I was concerned I will end up with two nonfunctional spaces. But it sounds like the pantry will work. What are everyone's opinion on a master ensuite size. It means I'll have a single basin vanity only 500 m wide

Hi Leanne, when we renovated our kitchen we built in a butler's pantry and it's the best thing we ever did. We included a sink, long bench and heaps of open shelves and open front drawers. Everything is hidden away but is easy to find and get to, and the main kitchen stays tidy and clutter free in our open plan living area. If you can fit one in it is definitely the way to go.