Designing a custom pantry may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re building your forever home or just want an upgrade in the kitchen, it’s important to have a pantry that’s not only functional but adjustable to your needs. Customizing means you can choose the layout and accessories that best fit your lifestyle while maximizing the space in your kitchen.

Some things to consider when designing your ideal pantry are storage space, shelving preferences, and what’s important to you (design, space, aesthetics, etc.). You also need to think about what items you want to store in your pantry. It could just be for food, but some also hold linens, small appliances, paper items, or whatever else you see fit.

Much like regular closets, there are many different shapes your pantry can take: wall closets, reach-ins, and walk-ins. It’s completely up to your preference, but if you have the room, a walk-in can be a nice use of space in the kitchen.

A great starting point is to think about your past pantries. What worked for you? What didn’t? It’s also good to consider the different shapes and sizes food packaging comes in. You will want your pantry to be flexible to your changing needs. Also, think about what types of shelves you would prefer. A really popular option is to get shelves/drawers that pull out so you can see what’s in the back of your pantry. And for the items that don’t stand up or store on a shelf correctly, it can be nice to get baskets to store them in.

Like any other room in the house, you can pull in design elements to bring in your personal style to the space. If your kitchen has a pop of color, bring that into the pantry as well. If you have sleek, minimalist cabinets, copy that style for the shelves in the pantry. You also have the option to choose whatever lighting best suits you. If you don’t like a harsh, bright light when making breakfast in the morning, go for a soft warm light. You should add whatever feature is needed to best fit your needs and lifestyle. Get creative with it! Signature Kitchens can help you with all the steps along the way.