These 10 walk in pantry ideas are perfect for anyone obsessed with organising their kitchen cupboards

I have a confession. I'm the kind of person who would love to have everything in my kitchen decanted into neatly labelled, matching containers. I dream of rows of Kilner jars filled with dried goods, cereals lined up like soldiers in a row and herbs and spices providing a riot of colour in spice draw racks.

The reality is I don't have enough kitchen cupboards and it's a good day if the pasta doesn't fall out of the packet when I pull open the small larder unit. But, if a new kitchen design was on the cards, I know there's one thing I'd be looking for and that's walk-in pantry ideas.

If, like me, you've a penchant for a meticulously organised culinary space, these 10 ideas will open your mind to what can be achieved when you're contemplating pantry ideas for your new kitchen.

What is a walk in pantry?

"A walk-in pantry is basically a designated storage area within a kitchen that is large enough for a person to enter and move around in," explains Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio.

"It is typically used to store non-perishable food items, small kitchen appliances, and other supplies, helping to keep the main kitchen area clutter free and organised. Walk-in pantries often feature shelves, drawers, and sometimes additional counter space, providing ample room for various storage needs."

Not to be confused with utility rooms – although you could of course include a pantry area in your utility room ideas, a walk in pantry is the perfect solution if you have plenty of space and prefer your kitchen ideas to feature clear worktops and less cupboards on display.

It's also a growing trend that shows no sign of abating say the experts.

"There is definitely a growing trend for walk-in pantries, as people strive to create clutter-free, clean and streamlined kitchens. This has gone hand in hand with the rise of open plan kitchens, which increased the need for discreet storage spaces," says Molly Chandler, designer at Willis & Stone.

"Many households are also buying in bulk to save money and reduce grocery trips, which necessitates more storage space," she adds. "A walk-in pantry accommodates larger quantities of items, including non-perishables, bulk snacks and meal prep ingredients."

Of course, that doesn't mean it can become a dumping ground for everything kitchen related. The best walk in pantry ideas feature neat, organised storage solutions to help you avoid mess and clutter, even behind closed doors.

Charlie Smallbone

Charlie Smallbone was the founder of bespoke furniture brand Smallbone of Devizes and has been pushing the boundaries of kitchen design for over 40 years. Charlie’s current venture, Ledbury Studio, was born of his desire to harness the beauty of natural materials while creating practical kitchens that exude style and elegance. 

Walk in pantry ideas

1. Keep an eye on family life with glass doors and windows

Although the allure of a pantry out of plain sight may be appealing, if a busy family life means it's simply not practical to shut yourself away while cooking food, why not consider creating a dedicated corner pantry room with glass doors and windows instead.

"Designed well, a walk-in pantry offers a dedicated and separate space for food, kitchen appliances and essentials, bringing order and efficiency to daily life," says Jessica Inglis, consumer & retail marketing manager for Second Nature, who created this walk in pantry idea with glass panelled doors.

"Whilst a pantry is traditionally used for additional produce, it can also be used for safely storing appliances and other miscellaneous items, such as scales and chopping boards," adds Jessica, making it a safe place for food prep away from the hustle and bustle of open plan kitchens, but still ensuring the space feels accessible and communal.

2. Or, hide your walk in pantry idea behind an unusual door

If on the other hand you prefer to take a more eclectic approach to your kitchen design, walk in pantry ideas can be the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity.

"If you opt for a walk-in pantry, it can operate as a separate space so you can design it as you wish so it is personalised to you," says Alex Main, director of The Main Company who created this walk in pantry idea.

The arched wooden door provides a striking contrast to the simple lines of the kitchen cabinets, adding a playful touch that is already present in the pink colour choice.

"Or, if you opt for a pantry as part of your overall kitchen cabinetry, matching the style and colour to the rest of your kitchen will result in a more cohesive and seamless final look that is sophisticated," says Alex. The choice is yours.

Alex Main

Alex Main is director at The Main Company, a family-run company that has been creating highly individual bespoke kitchens since the seventies. The family run business is bursting with knowledge and ideas, built up from the vast experience in kitchen design across the globe.

3. Use open shelving and drawers for smarter storage

With walk in pantry ideas often squeezed into relatively small spaces, the key to making them work for you is storage and organisation say the experts. Open shelving and drawers are two of Alex Main's fail-safe tips to making the space function effectively.

“More and more of our customers are swapping shelves for drawers in their pantries as they offer much easier access without having to root around in the back of a deep shelf," says Alex.

"Drawers also offer a more streamlined aesthetic for those who prefer to hide away items. Store heavier items like tins and sauces or use drawers as an opportunity for perishables like fruits, vegetables and bread as these are often accessed every day so need to be within easy reach.”

“For those who prefer to make more of a feature of their pantry items, open shelving also helps to create more space and interest," he adds. "Ultimately, you want to ensure that your dried goods and other kitchen accessories are within easy reach for when you’re cooking, and open shelving provides fast access to everything you need – and looks great when displayed with other personal possessions.”

These storage solutions would look great in any walk in pantry idea

4. Walk in pantry ideas can be compact too

Although in general, "a walk-in pantry should be at least three metres wide by one metre deep to be functional," says Charlie Smallbone, if space is at a premium, there are still ways of incorporating walk in pantry ideas in small kitchen diner ideas.

As this compact but perfectly functional pantry from Kitchens by Holloways demonstrates, even small, narrow spaces can be put to good use for storing kitchen essentials that may otherwise need to be on display.

5. Pair simple shaker doors with wooden worktops, shelving and glass storage

If you've opted for a simple Shaker kitchen idea in your kitchen renovation, the clean simple lines of this classic style can work equally as well for your walk in pantry ideas.

Clean, unfussy and easy to pair with hardwearing wooden worktops and simple wooden shelves, it can also be a great backdrop for glass storage jars – a kitchen storage item favoured by decluttering fans and perfect for helping to reduce wastage or excess buying of food.

"Whether it’s a full-size pantry or a smaller unit, a pantry can’t be functional if it isn’t properly organised," says Alex Main. "Start by deciding what you’d like to store and then create zones within your pantry. For example, store dried goods like pasta, rice and cereals together in easy-to-see containers like glass jars so you can see how much product you have left – meaning you can keep track of how much stock you have left and when it needs refilling.

"If you like baking, designate an area for baking supplies like flour and sugar in air-tight containers. Baskets or boxes are great for storing snacks and other food like bread. We’d always advise storing heavier items like tins and condiments lower down in the pantry if you can.”

6. Use bespoke floor to ceiling shelving in a corner walk in pantry

If you can only carve out an awkward corner as a possible location for your walk in pantry ideas, ditch the thought of kitchen cupboards and instead invest in some bespoke floor to ceiling shelving to make the most of the available space.

“Ideally, a walk-in pantry needs a certain amount of space and as a minimum it should be 1.8metres wide by 1.2 metres long," says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport, "and what space you have will dictate the layout, whether U-shaped, L-shaped or more galley.

“However, if you are opting for a bespoke kitchen, your walk-in pantry can be designed to your exacting requirements," he adds, "and while typically, you’ll have kitchen cabinets along the lower half of your pantry with shelving from chest height and upwards, in other spaces you still have options such as the floor to ceiling shelving in this design."

Using a pair of half width doors as opposed to a full size door on the opening also ensures access is available without encroaching on the dining space.

Richard Davonport

Richard Davonport is a luxury cabinetmaker and designer, and the founder and Managing Director of kitchen specialists, Davonport. The company designs and makes bespoke kitchens from its workshop in the heart of East Anglia. 

7. Don't forget to ventilate your walk in pantry ideas

Although it can be easy to focus the aesthetics of your storage solutions, as the home to perishable goods and other items, there are also some practical elements to consider when it comes to your walk in pantry ideas.

"Proper ventilation is also important to keep the pantry cool and prevent the build-up of moisture, which can spoil food," advises Charlie Smallbone.

In the case of this walk in pantry idea, small windows on the rear wall with slatted shutters serve a dual purpose. Natural ventilation to keep items cool, and also the opportunity to block out bright sunlight during warmer months.

If on the other hand you will be using your walk in pantry as a back kitchen or need it to form part of your utility room, you may need to consider additional home ventilation measures such as installing an extractor fan or adding air bricks to an external wall.

8. Make your lighting bright and functional

Another practical element that needs as much consideration as your kitchen lighting ideas is your walk in pantry lighting. With many walk in pantry ideas devoid of windows or natural light, being able to clearly identify your sugar from salt is essential for avoiding a culinary disaster.

"A walk-in pantry should include several key features to maximise its functionality and efficiency, adequate lighting being one of them," advises Charlie Smallbone. "It's essential to ensure all items are visible and easy to locate."

Downlights in the ceiling can provide bright lighting from above, while LED strip lighting underneath shelves can also help to illuminate the items stored below. Motion sensor lighting is also another option for walk in pantries and ensures you aren't scrabbling to turn off a light switch if you leave with your hands full of cooking supplies.

Charlie's other top features in walk in pantries?

"Adjustable shelves to accommodate items of various sizes, from large cereal boxes to small spice jars; pull-out drawers for easy access to items stored at lower levels, perfect for storing canned goods and smaller kitchen tools; and a small counter area for food preparation or to place items temporarily while organising the pantry.

"Additional storage options on the inside of the door, such as racks for spices or smaller items, can further enhance organisation," he adds.

9. Disguise your walk in pantry idea with hidden sliding doors

While this kitchen design is far from utilitarian in its aesthetics, with its pale wood finish and gold trim, it does however include a highly practical solution when it comes to doorways.

Hideaway doors, also known as pocket doors – ones that disappear into your wall cavity when opened – are a clever way of adding a sense of luxury, surprise and functionality into your interior design. Freeing up floors and walls, they are used to excellent effect in this kitchen design from Ledbury Studios. And while the room behind is likely set up to function as a back kitchen, rather than just a walk in pantry, the hidden door is a great solution if you need the wall or floor space where your entrance to a pantry would be.

10. Pick a freestanding pantry with a walk in feel

If, despite your best kitchen layout ideas, you simply can't carve out the space to bring your walk in pantry ideas to life, get as close as you can to the concept with a freestanding pantry unit.

Nestled in the corner of this kitchen, the unit from Davonport offers all the storage concepts you'd expect in a walk in pantry, but in a smaller format.

“If you don’t have the space for a walk-in pantry, you can still have one designed as a part of your everyday kitchen. It could be you opt for a freestanding model or fitted," says Richard Davonport. "This is essentially a giant cupboard that has been carefully designed inside to maximise the storage offered.”

Need a final push to bring your pantry ideas to life? Charlie Smallbone shares his final views on why every home should consider one if they can, not least of all to potentially add value to your property.

"Whether every home should have a walk-in pantry of course depends on the household's needs and available space. And while it's not essential for every home, a walk-in pantry offers several benefits.

"It provides a dedicated space to store food and kitchen supplies, helping keep the main kitchen area tidy. It offers ample storage for bulk items and non-perishable goods, reducing the frequency of grocery shopping trips. Having all pantry items in one accessible place can streamline meal preparation and cooking. Additionally, a well-designed walk-in pantry can enhance the overall functionality and appeal of a kitchen, potentially adding value to the home."

To make sure your walk in pantry ideas will be stylish as well as practical, find out what the experts predict are the kitchen trends in 2025 and take a look at these real-life kitchen extension ideas for future inspiration.