Introduction
When designing or renovating a kitchen, one of the biggest decisions is how to store all of your food, dishes, and cooking items. The two main options are walk-in pantries and cabinet pantries. Both have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of storage, convenience, aesthetics, and cost. This article will compare walk-in pantries versus cabinet pantries to help you decide which is better for your needs.
What is a Walk-In Pantry?
A walk-in pantry is a dedicated room or closet connected to the kitchen that is used solely for food, dish, and cooking item storage. Walk-in pantries are completely enclosed spaces with walls and a door. They are much larger than traditional cabinet pantries and provide ample storage space.
Benefits of a Walk-In Pantry
There are several benefits that make walk-in pantries a popular choice:
- Abundant storage space – Walk-in pantries provide much more storage capacity than cabinet pantries. The average size ranges from 25 to 100 square feet. With open shelves and specialized storage systems, a walk-in pantry can hold a large volume of dry goods, canned items, appliances, dishes, and more.
- Organization – The large space allows for great organization using shelving units, baskets, bins, and other storage accessories. Everything can be neatly arranged and labeled so items are easy to find.
- Convenience – No more digging to find what you need. In a walk-in pantry, all your items are visible and within reach. You can quickly grab ingredients when cooking or locate food items for daily use.
- Customization – Walk-in pantries can be fully customized with storage systems, counters, sinks, lighting, and design details to create your ideal storage space.
- Increased home value – A walk-in pantry is a desirable feature that can increase a home’s resale value significantly.
Considerations for a Walk-In Pantry
While walk-in pantries offer abundant storage space, there are a few downsides:
- They take up a significant amount of floor space that could be used for other purposes. Walk-in pantries are usually 6 feet x 6 feet or larger.
- Installation costs are higher compared to cabinet pantries. Walk-in pantries may require reconfiguring walls, electrical and possibly plumbing for sinks.
- They need to be incorporated into initial home or kitchen design plans. Adding a walk-in pantry to an existing kitchen requires major remodeling.
- Items stored can be “out of sight, out of mind”. Without regular cleaning, walk-in pantries can become disorganized.
- Accessibility is an issue if the pantry is not on the main living floor. frequent trips up and down stairs can be inconvenient.
What is a Cabinet Pantry?
Cabinet pantries consist of cabinetry installed directly in the kitchen, usually near the fridge, sink, and countertops. Cabinet pantries come in many widths and configurations to fit your kitchen layout. The depth and height match standard kitchen cabinets.
Cabinet pantries can be fully enclosed with doors or open shelves. Enclosed cabinet pantries have doors to conceal contents while open shelving allows you to view items. Storage accessories like drawers, racks, and pull-out bins can maximize storage.
Benefits of a Cabinet Pantry
The main benefits of choosing a cabinet pantry include:
- Convenient location – Cabinet pantries are right in the kitchen so you can easily access ingredients and items while cooking and doing kitchen tasks. No need to go to another room.
- Lower cost – Installing a cabinet pantry has a lower cost than adding or remodeling for a walk-in pantry. Cabinet pantries use your existing kitchen footprint.
- Easy to add – Cabinetry can be added to many kitchens without major remodeling. Newer homes generally have room to accommodate a pantry cabinet.
- Visual appeal – Enclosed cabinet pantries with wood doors have a clean, integrated look that blends seamlessly into overall kitchen cabinetry and design.
- Flexible sizes – Cabinet pantries come in a wide range of widths from 18 to 60 inches wide to fit your kitchen and storage needs. Depth and height are adjustable.
- Accessibility – Cabinet pantries are always located on the main living floor, so constant up and down trips are avoided.
Considerations for a Cabinet Pantry
While cabinet pantries work very well in many kitchens, they do have some limitations:
- Limited storage capacity – Even the largest pantry cabinets offer much less storage than a walk-in pantry. Storage is confined to the cabinet’s footprint.
- Difficulty keeping organized – Without proper organization tools like pull-out bins and trays, cabinet pantries can quickly become messy and disorganized.
- Not customizable – Cabinet pantry storage is fixed. You cannot change shelving or other systems like in a walk-in pantry.
- Can be cluttered if open – Open cabinet pantries with visible shelving tend to look messy. Closed cabinets hide clutter but reduce convenience.
- Uses kitchen floor space – Pantry cabinets do take up a portion of total kitchen floor and cabinet space. This may limit other kitchen layout options.
Walk-In Pantry vs Cabinet Pantry Comparison
Now that the pros and cons of each type of pantry are clear, here is a full comparison of cabinet pantries and walk-in pantries:
| Factor | Walk-In Pantry | Cabinet Pantry
|-|-|-|
| Storage capacity | Very large – 25 to 100+ sq. ft. | Limited – 15 to 60 sq. ft.|
| Convenience | Items out of the kitchen requiring trips to access | Very convenient – located right in kitchen |
| Accessibility | Potential issues if on separate floor | Always on main living floor |
| Organization | Excellent – full customization possible | Limited without upgrades |
| Aesthetics | Separate room – appearances can vary | Matches kitchen cabinetry look |
| Cost | $3,500 to $12,000+ for installation | $500 to $2,000 approximately |
| Resale value | Significant boost to home value | Minimal impact on resale |
Best Uses for Each Pantry Type
Based on their different strengths, here are recommendations for the best uses of each pantry type:
Walk-in pantries work best when:
- You need very large food and dish storage capacity.
- You entertain often and require a lot of serving ware.
- You do frequent bulk shopping trips.
- You want excellent storage customization options.
- You have ample space on your main living floor.
Cabinet pantries work best when:
- Your kitchen storage needs are moderate.
- You want to maximize kitchen floor space.
- You value convenience and accessibility.
- You are remodeling within an existing small kitchen.
- Your budget for kitchen upgrades is limited.
Design and Installation Options
Now that you know the key differences between walk-in and cabinet pantries, here are some of the design and installation considerations if you choose to add one of these pantry types:
Walk-In Pantry Design Options
- Location – Walk-in pantries are often located off the kitchen or a connected passage. Corner locations maximize usable space.
- Door style – Swinging doors, pocket doors, bifold doors, and barn doors all work for the pantry entry. Glass pane doors add light.
- Shelving – Open shelving units or enclosed cabinetry can equip the interior. Mix closed and open storage.
- Size – Dimensions typically range from about 6 ft x 6 ft up to 10 ft x 10 ft. But pantries can be customized to available space.
- Utilities – Some pantries add utility sinks, under-cabinet fridges, or electrical outlets inside.
- Flooring – Tile, wood laminate, vinyl plank, or linoleum flooring are common pantry flooring options.
- Lighting – Overhead lighting, LED strips, and battery powered lights ensure you can see everything.
Cabinet Pantry Design Options
- Location – Place your pantry cabinetry near the fridge, countertops, and prep areas for easy access.
- Door style – Enclosed cabinet with flat panel doors. Glass pane doors or open shelving are options too.
- Interior fittings – Include pull-out baskets, tiered drawers, bread trays, spice organizers, and lazy susans.
- Size – Widths range from 18 inches for a narrow pantry to 60 inches for an expanded one. Standard 24 inch depth.
- Details – Add molding, trim, crown details, and glass cabinet fronts for style. Paint the interior a bright contrasting color.
Installation and Building Steps
If you don’t choose professional installation, here are the basic steps to install a pantry:
For a walk-in pantry:
- Demolish walls if needed to create the new pantry space.
- Frame out the walls and door opening.
- Run electrical lines if adding lighting or utilities.
- Install drywall over framing and finish joints. Add molding.
- Lay flooring material and add base trim.
- Paint and then install the door and shelving systems.
- Organize with storage bins and accessories.
For a cabinet pantry:
- Remove existing cabinetry if needed in the pantry location.
- Frame the openings per the pantry width.
- Install the cabinet boxes ensuring they are level.
- Add shelves, hardware, and accessories to the interior.
- Attach cabinet doors and adjust as needed.
- Caulk and fill gaps for a seamless built-in look.
- Organize the interior with your storage tools and food items.
Pantry Organization Tips
Proper organization is crucial no matter which pantry type you choose. Here are top tips for organizing your walk-in or cabinet pantry:
- Categorize like items together – canned goods, baking items, snacks, etc.
- Use clear plastic bins to corral loose items. Label bins.
- Install shelf risers or drawer organizers to double space.
- Place frequently used items at eye-level for easy access.
- Use turntables and lazy susans for corner cabinet access.
- Incorporate vertical space with over-door racks and hanging racks.
- Add hooks inside cabinet doors to hang utensils and bulky items.
- Incorporate lighting so you can see everything – battery LEDs, strips, motion lights.
- Plan out shelving and storage needs before constructing a walk-in pantry.
- Maintain inventory of items and rotate stock using a “first in, first out” system.
Conclusion
The choice between a walk-in pantry versus cabinet pantry for your kitchen really depends on your available space, budget, storage needs and personal preferences. Walk-in pantries provide immense storage capacity and customization potential. Cabinet pantries offer a more streamlined solution that maximizes kitchen floor space. Careful planning of the layout and investing in organization systems allows both pantry types to offer convenient access and optimal storage. Assess the pros and cons and make sure to choose the best pantry for your unique situation. With the right organizational tools, even small cabinet pantries can hold ample kitchen supplies. And a well-designed walk-in pantry can be a luxurious dream space for serious cooks and foodies. Choose wisely and you’ll have a customized food storage solution to handle all of your kitchen items and ingredients in style.
