17 Small Pantry Ideas to Make the Most Out of Tight Spaces

Maximize your kitchen storage space with these clever expert tipsPhoto: Courtesy of TileCloudStumped for small-pantry ideas? Fear not: You can transform your small pantry into a space that’s equal parts practical and design-forward. Devin Shaffer, lead interior designer at Decorilla in San Francisco, acknowledges that kitchen pantry spaces can be some of the most challenging projects for interior designers to work on—mainly because storage and function come first, and style, second. That said, Shaffer doesn’t despair upon tackling these areas, which have the power to host the most clever and creative designs in the home. “It’s amazing what’s possible,” Shaffer says. “Even the tiniest pantry can be functional and gorgeous when you strategically design it.” He adds that elements like sliding drawers, over-the-door racks, harmonious color palettes, and natural materials will be game changers.Home-organizing expert Amanda Wiss emphasizes the importance of using vertical space over depth to organize a small pantry. Wiss, founder and CEO of home-organizing company Urban Clarity and the Brooklyn-based home staging company Urban Staging, knows that “you want to be able to see all your items easily, [and] not go digging for a package of snacks in the back.” Wiss looks to risers, stackable containers, additional shelves, and baskets as some of the organizational heroes to make use of every bit of vertical storage space—including the door.Read on for 17 small pantry ideas to make the most of that awkward nook, tight closet, and more.Photo: Andrew ShermanDrench it in bold paint“A small pantry like this really packs a punch when it’s drenched in Benjamin Moore’s Deep Jungle and the layout is thoughtfully considered for maximum potential,” says Catherine Balding of Balding Design Build in Wilmington, North Carolina. The left side of the pantry—with its various pantry staples and canned goods organized in clear containers and baskets—prioritizes functionality, while the right side is more decorative. The floating shelves are painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove and hold a collection of vases. “The countertops were chosen with floral-arranging in mind,” says Balding.Photo: Nick JohnsonTurn your tools into decorThis scullery design explores “the intersection of glamour and service, pairing historical butcher-shop references with a subversive Art Deco lens,” says Sarah Goesling of the Chicago-based Goesling Group. It also makes use of vertical wall space to cleverly store and display kitchen tools, which double as decor. “Keeping the palette contained creates cohesion and makes the space feel all-encompassing, while the palette itself was chosen to make you hungry,” says Goesling.Williams Sonoma Seville Classics UltraHD Pegboard SetPhoto: Aimee MazzengaConsider prep space“A scullery or pantry that can be supplemental to the kitchen continues to be a big part of how we approach kitchen design, giving families a place to keep day-to-day items out without cluttering the kitchen itself,” says Mike Shively of En Masse Architecture and Design in Chicago. “We often tailor those spaces to what a family actually uses daily, whether that’s a dedicated smoothie station or a coffee and tea setup, so those items have a home instead of being put away and pulled out constantly.” Here, a pantry in the residence of a professional chef is used as a prep station as well as for storing cookbooks and glassware—ideal for someone who likes to entertain.Photo: Jessica GlynnGo for glossy tile“A small pantry is the perfect place to take a design risk and create a moment that feels entirely unexpected,” says Heather Weisz of HW Interiors in Wellington, Florida. Here, glossy geometric tile, dramatic stone, and sculptural lighting give the hardworking space “a rich, jewel-box quality,” says Weisz.Speaking of hardworking, to make sure your pantry is working well for you, Jenny Reimold, a HomeGoods interior expert, recommends creating zones based on your routine. “Rather than organizing by food type, think about how your household actually uses the pantry,” she says. “Designate zones for breakfast, snacks, lunch packing, baking, dinner staples, and any other useful category. Giving everything a clear category makes items not only easier to find, but also makes it more intuitive for everyone to put them back where they belong.”Zia Tile Ethereal Blue Glossy TilePhoto: Ryan HaineyIncorporate appliance garagesRattled by what to do with all the small appliances taking over your countertops? Consider installing tiny storage spaces. “We love a hidden appliance garage, since small appliances can quickly take over a kitchen countertop,” says Anna Franklin of Stone House Collective in Shorewood, Wisconsin. “If you have some counter space in your pantry, we always encourage installing one—an open cabinet space with a panel-ready façade that slides up and down, giving you easy access to things like blenders and air fryers while keeping the option to hide them away and keep your main kitchen space tidy and presentable.”Photo: John StofferAdd personality with wallpaper“Good design isn’t just about the rooms you show off—it’s about making the everyday work beautifully,” says Amy Storm of Amy Storm & Company in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. “Thoughtfully designed pantries become part of the daily kitchen routine and offer the perfect opportunity to add a little flavor and personality.” Here, character comes by way of a buzzy bumblebee wallpaper, while wire shelves offer easy access to produce.Schumacher x Cabana Floralia Sisal WallpaperPhoto: Courtesy of TileCloudCraft an airy atmosphereSmall-space storage ideas can still deliver big on pizzazz. “In a small pantry, using the vertical space effectively can create a sense of openness,” says Floss Kelly, interior designer and cofounder at TileCloud. “This project features high ceilings, allowing natural light to flood in through skylights, accentuating the textures of the backsplash subway tiles.” The backsplash “adds a gorgeous touch that isn’t just beautiful and practical, but also enhances the sense of space and light by being laid vertically,” Kelly continues, noting that this small pantry’s design approach not only maximizes storage but also makes the food area feel “more spacious and welcoming.”Photo: Michael CliffordGo for a grand entrance with glass doors“This pantry is anything but tucked away,” says Denise Morrison, founder and principal designer of Morrison Interiors in Costa Mesa, California. Here, steel-and-glass doors welcome in natural light while the white backsplash and cabinetry add a bright aesthetic to the long, narrow space. Morrison adds that the space’s ample drawers and compact pantry storage are complemented by inviting open shelves. This prep station and pantry closet combo offers a creative solution for odd-size spaces on the main floor of a home. Per Morrison: “Adding glass doors is a clever, luxe touch for widening narrow hallways or breezeways.”Photo: Stacy Zarin GoldbergOr try sleek and discreet double doorsBecause of a required air duct, this pantry, designed by TriVistaUSA Design + Build in Arlington, Virginia, ended up being smaller than anticipated. As such, the TriVistaUSA designers worked to ensure that the pantry would be effective even with its smaller footprint, reviewing everything from cereal-box heights to appliance outlets. “The pantry entrance was masked by doors that match the kitchen cabinetry we used so that the design looks like upper and lower cabinets,” says Michael Sauri, co-owner and president of TriVistaUSA. No detail was overlooked in completing the design, including a light switch inside the cabinet door where recessed lights illuminate stored items for ease of access. The shelves were painted with trim to match the rest of the project.Photo: Courtesy of TileCloud…Or ditch the door altogetherIn lieu of a proper pantry door, the arched doorway here “creates an inviting atmosphere as you enter,” Kelly says. “Light-toned cabinetry and tiles ensure the space doesn’t feel overwhelming, while open timber shelves and brushed-brass fixtures add warmth and serve as focal points.” We also love this small room’s neutral color palette for an extra dose of zen when going about daily chores.Photo: Julie SoeferTry elegant containers for an apothecary styleAlthough this pantry is on the larger side, Benjamin Johnston, partner and creative director of Benjamin Johnston Design in Houston, stresses that this design and concept can be easily applied to a small space. “For food and storage, glass jars and wicker baskets lend a whimsical, apothecary-like touch to open shelving and are an easy way to add visual interest if you’re short on space.” Feel free to embrace bold hues in your pantry space, too, for a pop of unexpected color in a walk-in pantry space. Here, “juxtaposing colorways of blue and merlot are a continuation of the kitchen’s design story,” Johnston says. “If your pantry has a window, this is a beautiful opportunity to introduce a striking pendant lamp and Roman shade with textured or patterned drapery for extra punch.”Amelia Mularz is a freelance journalist specializing in interior design, garden, and travel stories. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, HGTV Magazine, New York magazine's The Strategist, and Travel + Leisure, among other titles. She has also held long-term roles at Vogue and The Knot. In 2018, she received ... Read More