How to Set Up the Perfect Kitchen Pantry So Everything Has Its Place (And Looks Good Too)

12 Min Read

Having a kitchen pantry is a secret weapon for keeping your house well stocked and your space clutter-free. There are options for any kitchen size or layout, from walk-in pantries with floor-to-ceiling shelving to built-in pantry cabinets and open wall pantries. Elevate this functional storage space with paint, tile, flooring, lighting, and decor.

Check out these kitchen pantry ideas in a range of styles for inspiration.

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  • 01
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    Walk-In Pantry

    red kitchen pantry ideas

    Design by Maestri Studio / Photo by Stephen Karlisch

    Paint your walk-in pantry in a bold contrasting color to give it a singular personality. This space is painted tomato red for a vibrant look.

  • 02
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    Open Kitchen Pantry

    open kitchen pantry shelving ideas

    deVOL Kitchens

    What to do when your kitchen has no pantry? Turn an empty wall into an open pantry with open shelving lined with decanted supplies in labeled glass jars.

  • 03
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    Pantry Cabinet Wall

    kitchen pantry wall ideas

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    If you prefer to hide your pantry supplies behind closed doors, build floor-to-ceiling cabinetry on a side wall. Paint your pantry wall in the same color as the rest of the kitchen for an on-trend color-drenched look.

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    Modern Kitchen Pantry

    open modern kitchen pantry ideas

    Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

    For a clean, contemporary look, skip the pantry door in favor of a cased opening. If your pantry is visible from the main space, equip it with drawers, cabinets, and open shelving to keep it tidy.

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    Hidden Pantry

    hidden kitchen pantry ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Hide your kitchen pantry in plain sight to give it the feel of a secret room. Keep flooring consistent with the main space for a cohesive feel.

  • 06
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    Kitchen Pantry Cabinet

    small kitchen cabinet pantry ideas

    Pluck

    Install a pantry cabinet in a kitchen without a separate space for a walk-in that blends in with the rest of your kitchen cabinetry. Paint the inside in a contrasting color to add a fun element of surprise.

  • 07
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    Pantry Wall Panels

    small farmhouse kitchen pantry ideas

    Ashley Montgomery Design

    Clad the walls of a small pantry with vertical shiplap, tongue-and-groove, or beadboard paneling. This will draw the eye upward to make the space feel taller and more spacious.

  • 08
    of 34

    Bespoke Pantry Cupboard

    vintage kitchen pantry ideas

    Studio Peake

    Add character to a traditional kitchen with a bespoke pantry cupboard. This London space mixes painted base cabinets with dark wood stained glass-front storage that house everything from the toaster to spices and tea-making supplies.

  • 09
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    Kitchen Pantry Backsplash

    kitchen pantry wall decor ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    Install a full wall backsplash to create a focal point in a minimalist kitchen pantry. Choose a decorative tile to introduce a hint of color and pattern.

  • 10
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    Kitchen Pantry Shelving

    blue kitchen pantry paint ideas

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo By Kaitlin Green

    Maximize vertical space by hanging open pantry shelving above base cabinets. Paint shelves the same color as the walls to make them recede, allowing supplies and decor objects to stand out.

  • 11
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    Pantry Lighting

    kitchen pantry lighting ideas

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Good lighting is crucial in a pantry without a window. Install sconces or a ceiling-mounted fixture that is as decorative as it is practical.

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    Kitchen Pantry Flooring

    butler's pantry off kitchen with checkerboard flooring

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Give your pantry its own style with kitchen tile flooring. A black-and-white checkerboard pattern is a timeless choice that works in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

  • 13
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    Kitchen Pantry Alcove

    small arched open kitchen pantry

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    Turn a kitchen alcove or niche into a mini pantry with open shelving. Store everyday dishware and glassware and style shelves and countertops with artwork, cookbooks, and decor.

  • 14
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    Floor-to-Ceiling Storage

    small kitchen pantry shelving ideas

    Britt Design Studio

    Install floor-to-ceiling storage to maximize space. Depending on the layout of your pantry, opt for open shelving or a mix of base cabinets or drawers with open cubbies on top.

  • 15
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    Converted Kitchen Pantry

    kitchen pantry flooring ideas

    Marie Flanigan Interiors

    Convert a spare room into a dedicated pantry if you have the space and budget. Brick tile flooring, dark wood countertops, and Shaker cabinetry give this space a lived-in farmhouse feel.

  • 16
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    DIY Pantry

    small pantry shelving ideas

    Most Lovely Things

    Optimize a small and awkward pantry in an older home with a mix of DIY solutions. Choose affordable pre-made shelving to store supplies in glass jars and hang custom-fit open shelving to maximize odd angles and vertical space.

  • 17
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    Small Walk-In Pantry

    small walk-in pantry

    @afreshspace / Instagram

    Make a small walk-in pantry feel more spacious by sticking to an all-white palette. From shelves to countertops and walls, a bright white pantry will give a compact space a fresh and clean look.

  • 18
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    Kitchen Pantry Pocket Doors

    kitchen pantry pocket door ideas

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    Create a streamlined feel by opting for a pocket door. This will make your kitchen flow better and cut down on the visual clutter of a standard door.

  • 19
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    Pantry Coffee Station

    pantry coffee station

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Devote a corner of your kitchen pantry to a dedicated coffee station. This will give you a place to store the coffee or espresso machine, mugs, and other supplies, freeing up counterspace in your kitchen.

  • 20
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    Eat-In Kitchen Pantry Wall

    eat-in kitchen pantry ideas

    Calimia Home

    Create a pantry wall in an eat-in kitchen to store glassware, dishware, serving platters, and more. Turn the wall into a focal point with open shelving styled with a mix of practical and decor objects and a tile backsplash.

  • 21
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    Kitchen Pantry Barn Door

    kitchen pantry with sliding barn door ideas

    Rebecca Rollins Interiors

    Install a barn door to create easy access to a small reach-in pantry located inside the kitchen. Choose rustic wood and black hardware for a farmhouse look, or lighter wood and brass-toned hardware for a more modern feel.

  • 22
    of 34

    Kitchen Island Pantry

    kitchen island pantry ideas

    Velinda Hellen for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Veronica Crawford

    Create custom storage for dry goods by building an open pantry at the short end of a kitchen island. Decant your stash into matching mason jars that will keep it looking organized while allowing you to see what needs to be restocked at a glance.

  • 23
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    Kitchen Pantry Wallpaper

    kitchen pantry wallpaper ideas

    @amberpiercedesigns / Instagram

    If your pantry is long and narrow, decorate the blank wall opposite storage cabinetry with wallpaper. This will add visual interest and dimension and make the space more enjoyable to use.

  • 24
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    Pantry Window Shelves

    kitchen pantry decor ideas

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Position shelves in front of windows in a pantry with abundant natural light. Choose light wood or glass shelving that will provide storage while maintaining an airy look.

  • 25
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    Kitchen Pantry Appliances

    microwave cabinet in kitchen pantry

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo By Kaitlin Green

    Nobody likes looking at a microwave. Place yours in a pantry cabinet behind bi-fold cabinet doors to keep it accessible without being visible in your main space.

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    Arched Kitchen Pantry Door

    kitchen pantry with arched opening

    House Nine Interior Design

    Add style to a small kitchen pantry with an arched opening. Custom vintage wood doors, contrasting wall paint, and a change of flooring will give the space its own identity.

  • 27
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    U-Shaped Pantry

    u-shaped kitchen pantry ideas

    Marie Flanigan Interiors

    Maximize space in a small pantry with a U-shaped layout. Wraparound shelving painted the same color as the walls and stylish storage for supplies will give the compact space a polished look.

  • 28
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    Open Hallway Pantry

    open kitchen pantry in hallway

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Flank an open pantry located on a hallway outside the kitchen with glass pane windows. Hang open shelving that mixes natural wood and black metal to complement a modern farmhouse interior.

  • 29
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    Pantry Peg Railing Storage

    small kitchen pantry with peg rail ideas

    Inspired By Charm

    Lend a small butler’s pantry a cozy feel with vintage elements. Hang an antique wood shelf on the wall and include a peg railing beneath open shelving to store everyday tools.

  • 30
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    Coffee Bar Pantry

    kitchen coffee bar pantry ideas

    Britt Design Studio

    Set up a coffee bar behind the closed doors of a large freestanding or built-in kitchen pantry cabinet. Opt for folding doors that will slide out of the way when the cabinet is open.

  • 31
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    Pantry With French Doors

    kitchen pantry with french doors

    Design by Crisp Architects / Photo by Rob Karosis

    Install French doors to separate your pantry from the kitchen. Install opaque glass if you want to block views without blocking light.

  • 32
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    Kitchen Wine Pantry

    kitchen wine pantry ideas

    Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer

    If you don’t have a basement for a home wine cellar to house your collection, consider building out a kitchen wine pantry instead. Custom shelving for bottles, a countertop for decanting, and plenty of storage drawers create a luxury space for a wine lover and entertainer.

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    Pantry Baking Station

    butler's pantry with food prep area

    Kate Marker Interiors

    If you have the space, create a baking pantry with counterspace for prep and a baking oven. This luxury feature will give you a place to cook and store supplies while keeping your main kitchen tidy and clutter-free.

  • 34
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    Pantry Dog Feeding Station

    kitchen pantry dog feeding station ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

    Sacrifice a lower cabinet to create a dog-feeding station in your kitchen pantry. Store dog food nearby to keep pet supplies organized and in one place.



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