skip to main content
Sign In
Join as a Pro
History of Houzz
  • PHOTOS
    KITCHEN & DINING
    • Kitchen
    • Dining
    • Outdoor Kitchen
    • Kitchen Islands
    LIVING
    • Living Room
    • Family Room
    • Home Theatre
    • Sunroom
    • Fireplace
    • Study Room
    BATHROOM
    • Bathroom
    • Laundry
    • Powder Room
    • Small Bathroom
    BEDROOM
    • Bedroom
    • Kids Bedroom
    • Nursery
    • Master Bedroom
    • Storage & Wardrobe
    KERB APPEAL
    • Exterior
    • Driveway
    • Carport
    • Garage
    • Entry
    OUTDOOR
    • Garden
    • Courtyard
    • Balcony
    • Deck
    • Patio
    • Pool
    • All Outdoor
    MORE IDEAS
    • Granny Flat
    • Home Office
    • Home Gym
    • Staircase
    • Home Bar
    • Wine Cellar
    • View All
  • FIND PROFESSIONALS
    BUILDING & RENOVATION
    • Architects
    • Home Builders
    • Building Designers
    • Design & Construction
    DESIGN & INTERIORS
    • Interior Designers & Decorators
    • Home Stylists & Property Staging
    • Painting & Wallpaper
    • Carpet & Flooring
    • Shutters, Blinds & Curtains
    • Furniture & Home Decor
    • Artists & Artisans
    GARDEN & LANDSCAPING
    • Landscape Architects & Designers
    • Landscape Contractors
    • Garden & Landscape Supplies
    • Arborists & Tree Services
    OUTDOOR & EXTERIOR
    • Pools & Spas
    • Decks, Patios & Structures
    • Fencing & Gates
    • Driveways & Paving
    • Stone, Pavers & Concrete
    • Cladding & Exterior Contractors
    • Roofing & Gutters
    • Blacksmiths & Welders
    KITCHEN & BATHROOM
    • Kitchen Designers & Renovators
    • Bathroom Designers & Renovators
    • Kitchen & Bath Fixtures
    • Tile, Stone & Benchtops
    • Joinery & Cabinet Makers
    HOME SERVICES
    • Lighting
    • Heating & Air Conditioning
    • Fireplaces
    • Windows
    • Doors
    • Staircases & Balustrades
    • Wine Cellars
    SYDNEY
    • Architects in Sydney
    • Bathroom Renovators in Sydney
    • Builders in Sydney
    • Interior Designers in Sydney
    • Kitchen Renovators in Sydney
    • Landscapers in Sydney
    MELBOURNE
    • Architects in Melbourne
    • Builders in Melbourne
    • Bathroom Renovators in Melbourne
    • Landscapers in Melbourne
    • Interior Designers in Melbourne
    BRISBANE
    • Architects in Brisbane
    • Builders in Brisbane
    • Landscapers in Brisbane
    • Bathroom Renovators in Brisbane
    • Cabinet Makers in Brisbane
    • Fencing in Brisbane
    PERTH
    • Landscapers in Perth
    • Tilers in Perth
    • Bathroom Renovators in Perth
    • Kitchen Renovators in Perth
    • Cabinet Makers in Perth
    • Architects in Perth
    View All Pros View All Services
  • STORIES
    STORIES FROM HOUZZ
    • Houzz Tours
    • Kitchens
    • Bathrooms
    • More Rooms
    • Renovating
    • Building
    • Architecture
    • Interior Design
    • Gardens
    • Eco Living
    • Lifestyle
    • News Stories
    • How to Use Houzz
    HOUZZ RESEARCH
    HOUZZ TV
  • ADVICE
    HOUZZ DISCUSSIONS
    • Design Dilemma
    • Before & After
    • Polls
    • Kitchens
    • Living Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Gardens
    • Renovating
    • Home Decorating
    • Exterior
    • Flooring
    • Building a home
Kitchen Renovations
Kitchen Renovations
Room of the Week: A Luxurious Low-Maintenance Seaward Kitchen
Top Ideabooks
Room of the Week: A Luxurious Low-Maintenance Seaward KitchenReno Reveal: What Australians Want From Their Kitchen RevampsExpert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen RenoHow to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget, From $100 to $10,000
Appears in
Kitchens
Kitchen
Kitchen
10 Dos & Don'ts of Designing a Kitchen Island
Top Ideabooks
10 Dos & Don'ts of Designing a Kitchen IslandPro Reveal: Storage Secrets of 5 Great KitchensBest of the Week: 33 Beautiful Banquettes and Built-In BenchesHow Do I... Choose a Splashback for a White Kitchen?
Storage
Storage
Spotted! How to Find Hidden Storage Opportunities in Your Kitchen
Top Ideabooks
Spotted! How to Find Hidden Storage Opportunities in Your KitchenSleep Easy: 4 Simple Steps to Maximise Under-Bed StorageCorner Cabinets: The Jewel in Your Kitchen Storage CrownBikes, Clubs and Surfboards: Storage for Bulky Sports Equipment
Appears in
Latest from Houzz
See also
OrganisingDecluttering
Kitchen Expert Advice
Kitchen Expert Advice
Expert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen Reno
Top Ideabooks
Expert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen RenoPlumbing Lingo: How to Talk to Your Plumber Like a Pro10 Dos & Don'ts of Designing a Kitchen IslandHow Do I... Look After My Natural Stone Benchtops?
Appears in
Kitchens
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Cabinets
16 Kitchen Cupboard Front Ideas to Inspire
Top Ideabooks
16 Kitchen Cupboard Front Ideas to InspirePro Reveal: Storage Secrets of 5 Great KitchensHow to Choose a Splashback For a Dark Blue Kitchen7 Ways to Pair Dark Kitchen Cabinets With Dark Benchtops
Appears in
Kitchens
Kitchen Storage
Kitchen Storage
Kitchen Upgrade: 10 Must-Have Inclusions for a Butler's Pantry
Top Ideabooks
Kitchen Upgrade: 10 Must-Have Inclusions for a Butler's PantryA Kitchen Joiner Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients KnewPicture Perfect: 40 Butler's Pantries All Set to Serve Up a TreatHow Do I... Organise My Kitchen Storage?
Appears in
Kitchens

Walk-In vs Cabinet Pantries: What Will Work Best in Your Kitchen?

We explore the pros and cons of these popular kitchen storage options

Sam Ferris
Sam FerrisOctober 18, 2017
Houzz Contributor. I have more than sevent years of experience in the design industry, including residential renovation, cabinet, and flooring design. I currently work for RVK Architecture, a professional design firm that delivers successful architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture solutions to public and private clients.
More
Print
Embed
Facebook
Twitter
Email
It’s only natural to debate whether to go with a walk-in or cabinet pantry when you’re building a new home or redesigning your existing kitchen. Some homeowners want a roomy nook with wall-to-wall shelves and customised inserts, while others are satisfied with just a few shelves and pull-outs tucked inside a kitchen cabinet. Here are the pros and cons of both styles.
Metricon
Walk-In Pantries

Pro: They have more storage capacity
Walk-in pantries are a home chef’s best friend. They take the cake when it comes to sheer volume of storage space. With multiple walls of floor-to-ceiling shelves, they’re big enough to store dozens of ingredients, cookbooks, snacks, pots, pans, medium to large cooking appliances and more.
Rosemount Kitchens
Con: Storage is more spread out
Bigger isn’t always better, especially when you’re in the mood to whip up a quick dinner. It may take a few extra minutes to gather your ingredients in a large walk-in pantry. You may have trouble remembering where you put your sugar and flour. Walk-in pantries are also some distance away from appliances and prep space, which can reduce efficiency when you’re cooking. Some homeowners prefer the convenience of having ingredients on hand in their kitchen.

Planning the Perfect Butler’s Pantry
Neat Method San Diego
Pro: They can be better organised
Cabinet pantries aren’t inefficient by any means, but walk-in pantries let you get a little more creative with your organisation techniques. You can sort your items by row or column, by food group and so on. Consider dedicating a column of shelves to non-refrigerated fruits and vegies or your most-used oils and spices. You may even have room to house your baking sheets with built-in tray dividers.
Con: They can require more upkeep
Unfortunately, a highly organised pantry comes at a price. You know the drill: more space plus more shelves equals more to keep clean and tidy. It takes time and effort to dust off dirty surfaces and declutter shelves. If you’re looking to cut back on your weekly to-do list, you may prefer a cabinet pantry with less storage and less upkeep.
Lorin Hill, Architect
Pro: They can store bigger appliances with ease
Cabinet pantries can house toasters, coffee makers and mixers too, but it’s usually at the expense of valuable storage space. Walk-in pantries can comfortably fit larger appliances like microwaves, slow cookers, juicers and deep fryers, freeing up bench space and ensuring they’re ready to grab when you need them. Some pantries may even have enough space for a second refrigerator.
Impala Kitchens and Bathrooms
Con: They take up a lot of space
A major downside to walk-in pantries is that they require a lot of space to be functional and efficient. If you’re designing a new kitchen or renovating an existing one, you’ll have to shrink your kitchen’s footprint to accommodate a walk-in pantry. This can be an issue for homeowners who are short on space to begin with and want to maximise the size of their kitchen.
transFORM Home
Cabinet Pantries

Pro: Storage space is more centralised
Whereas walk-in pantries feature several walls of shelves, cabinet pantries confine all of your snacks, ingredients and small appliances to a single space. You don’t have to spend time searching through several walls of shelves to find what you need. Less time looking means more time cooking.

Hire a joiner or cabinetmaker in your area
Brayer Design
Con: They have limited storage space
A single cabinet devoted to pantry storage won’t be enough for some homeowners, especially avid cooks. While you can fit larger appliances inside a cabinet pantry, they use a good chunk of the limited space. One way to get an excellent storage capacity with cabinet pantries is to insert more than one into your kitchen, but that will eat up more bench space.
Gardiner Architects
Pro: Storage is more accessible
Having your pantry smack dab in the middle of your kitchen will cut down on the time you spend walking to and from your pantry. Placing it next to your refrigerator and across from your oven will create hyper-efficient workstations.

Inside features can also increase your cabinet pantry’s accessibility. Pull-out drawers, for instance, allow you to see every snack and ingredient at once, which reduces the amount of time you’ll spend rummaging. They’re easy on your back too.
Decus Interiors
Con: They’re an added cabinet expense
If you’ve ever tackled a full kitchen renovation, you’re aware that cabinets aren’t cheap. Cabinet pantries cost significantly more than standard base or wall cabinets, primarily due to their height and any custom features they may include (such as pull-out drawers and spice racks).

7 Decluttering Tips for Pantry Success
Provincial Kitchens
Pro: They don’t take up a lot of space
Cabinet pantries are on the smaller side compared with walk-in pantries, which require a large footprint. Most measure 60-90 centimetres wide. They’re an efficient storage solution for small or medium-size kitchens, providing a little extra shelf and drawer space without giving up too much in return.
PLANtoBUILD
Con: They take up bench space
You’ll definitely lose some bench space, no matter how small your cabinet pantry may be. If you’re designating multiple cabinets as pantry storage, be prepared to give up a significant amount of prep space. Either way, it’s important to navigate the delicate balance of storage and bench space with due diligence. This loss is felt less in larger kitchens but can impact the way a smaller kitchen functions. Consider the size of your kitchen and the way you cook when deciding.


Tell us
If you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.

More
Take a look at more pantries for inspiration
Print
Embed
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Comments (284)
See 281 more comments
  • goshdarnit
    last month

    @ceyla1 oooh! how exciting! Good luck with all that... I'm sure there's plenty of container builders around - it's so much more popular these days.

  • J and N Larson
    last month

    We have a late 1950s-early 1960s ranch. The kitchen is pretty sizeable, but we want it to work with two cooks and a seating area for visitors, plus allow for aging in place. What type of access is best for people who are short and/or use walkers or wheelchairs?

  • goshdarnit
    last month

    @J and N Larson Ary you doing a full kitchen gut and remodel? This is kinda off topic, sorry folks! There are so many things to consider... does iit have space for an island? You can do those two level islands, with a prep space, and a lower level to act as a normal table with seating, or prep for someone in a wheelchair. You have to make sure a wheelchair or walker can manoeuvre enough, regarding space between things. As for pantry space a walk in on the large size is better if you generally keep a lot of dry goods on hand, but if space doesn't allow, then you'll need the general cabinet pantry style with enough room for your usual stock load.

    My large pantry has a stepping stool in residence, so I can reach the upper cupboards.

    It all depends on the space available and layout - if you're not sure, then I advise professional help.

    I'm short and lowered my benchtops and island from the standard 90cm (35 and a half inches) to 87 cm (34 and a quarter inches), but honestly, I listened to my mother, and shouldn't have - I would have preffered knocking off another 2cm to make it 85cm off the finished floor level, (33 and a half inches). I'm 5'2", but I have long arms for that height, and the bench needs to be about 3 to 4 inches below the bottom of your forearm when you make a 90 degree angle between your forearm and your upper arm. Even more important when you knead bread, or roll pastry a lot. It's comfortable, but could have been moreso. Good luck with all that!

  • Read Related Stories
    Room of the Week: A Luxurious Low-Maintenance Seaward Kitchen
    Room Of The WeekRoom of the Week: A Luxurious Low-Maintenance Seaward Kitchen
    By Vanessa Walker
    Subdued but luxurious materials make this kitchen shine, without stealing attention from the ocean view
    Full Story4
    Reno Reveal: What Australians Want From Their Kitchen Revamps
    KitchensReno Reveal: What Australians Want From Their Kitchen Revamps
    By Joanna Tovia
    The latest Houzz kitchen renovation survey unveils in-demand features, materials, colours and styles
    Full Story35
    Expert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen Reno
    RenovatingExpert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen Reno
    By Naomi Findlay
    A renowned renovation pro reveals where to spend and where to save on your kitchen if you want to add value to your home
    Full Story29
    How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget, From $100 to $10,000
    KitchensHow to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget, From $100 to $10,000
    By Laura Gaskill
    With the right ingredients you can make this key room more stylish and functional, whether you spend $100 or $10,000
    Full Story167
    Walk-In vs Cabinet Pantries: What Will Work Best in Your Kitchen?
    KitchenWalk-In vs Cabinet Pantries: What Will Work Best in Your Kitchen?
    By Sam Ferris
    We explore the pros and cons of these popular kitchen storage options
    Full Story286
    Marrying Comfort and Design: A Buyer's Guide to Kitchen Stools
    Kitchen TrendsMarrying Comfort and Design: A Buyer's Guide to Kitchen Stools
    By Pia Sinha
    If you're after new stools to deck out your kitchen island or bar, read this buyer's guide today
    Full Story36
    10 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
    Most Popular10 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
    By Anne Ellard
    A new kitchen is a long-term fixture in your home. Ensure yours won't date by choosing a timeless colour scheme
    Full Story84
    Disappearing Range Hoods: A New Kitchen Trend?
    KitchensDisappearing Range Hoods: A New Kitchen Trend?
    By Anne Ellard
    Find out why more and more people are embracing the trend for hidden range hoods in the kitchen
    Full Story280
    The Tricks to Using Your Under-Sink Area for Kitchen Storage
    Most PopularThe Tricks to Using Your Under-Sink Area for Kitchen Storage
    By Tanya Selever
    From materials to measurements, our expert tells you how to turn awkward under-sink areas into useful storage spaces
    Full Story151
    Expert Eye: 7 Ways to Add Vintage Touches to a Modern Kitchen
    Expert EyeExpert Eye: 7 Ways to Add Vintage Touches to a Modern Kitchen
    By Anne Ellard
    Add some vintage styling to create a homely atmosphere in a contemporary kitchen
    Full Story6
    Odour-Free Composting Made Easy
    GardeningOdour-Free Composting Made Easy
    By Gabrielle Chariton
    Think composting is too smelly and unappealing? Think again. Here are some tips for simple, odour-free composting
    Full Story17
    Room of the Week: A Luxurious Kitchen for Entertaining in Style
    KitchensRoom of the Week: A Luxurious Kitchen for Entertaining in Style
    By Georgia Madden
    Art takes centre stage in this stunning, classic kitchen designed for a pair of passionate entertainers
    Full Story30
    Before & After: A Dowdy Kitchen Made Shaker-Style Spectacular
    KitchensBefore & After: A Dowdy Kitchen Made Shaker-Style Spectacular
    By Vanessa Walker
    An '80s beige and black space is transformed into a stunning Shaker-style kitchen that speaks of modern sophistication
    Full Story11
    Best of the Week: 27 Clever Kitchen Set-Ups
    Most PopularBest of the Week: 27 Clever Kitchen Set-Ups
    By Georgia Madden
    From genius layouts to smart storage solutions, here are 27 inspired kitchen designs on Houzz
    Full Story24
    12 Tactics for Creating More Kitchen Bench Space
    Most Popular12 Tactics for Creating More Kitchen Bench Space
    By Julia Fairley
    No bench space? No problem. These design tips will help you create extra work zones in your kitchen
    Full Story19
    People who liked this story also liked
    Room of the Week: A Luxurious Low-Maintenance Seaward Kitchen
    Room of the Week: A Luxurious Low-Maintenance Seaward KitchenFull Story
    Reno Reveal: What Australians Want From Their Kitchen Revamps
    Reno Reveal: What Australians Want From Their Kitchen RevampsFull Story
    Expert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen Reno
    Expert Eye: 6 Smart Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen RenoFull Story
    How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget, From $100 to $10,000
    How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget, From $100 to $10,000Full Story
    Walk-In vs Cabinet Pantries: What Will Work Best in Your Kitchen?
    Walk-In vs Cabinet Pantries: What Will Work Best in Your Kitchen?Full Story
    Marrying Comfort and Design: A Buyer's Guide to Kitchen Stools
    Marrying Comfort and Design: A Buyer's Guide to Kitchen StoolsFull Story
    10 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of Time
    10 Kitchen Colour Schemes That Will Stand the Test of TimeFull Story
    Disappearing Range Hoods: A New Kitchen Trend?
    Disappearing Range Hoods: A New Kitchen Trend?Full Story
    The Tricks to Using Your Under-Sink Area for Kitchen Storage
    The Tricks to Using Your Under-Sink Area for Kitchen StorageFull Story
    Expert Eye: 7 Ways to Add Vintage Touches to a Modern Kitchen
    Expert Eye: 7 Ways to Add Vintage Touches to a Modern KitchenFull Story
    • Australia
    • ABOUT
    • MOBILE APPS
    • PROFESSIONALS
    • BUTTONS
    • FAQs
    • CAREERS
    • ADVERTISE
    • Terms & Privacy
    • © 2021 Houzz Inc.