Yes, Butler's Pantries Are Still a Thing in 2023
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A butler's pantry is any room, closet or area located near or between the kitchen and dining room that is used for storage, food prep or cleanup. Although they were once considered a luxury in large houses, a functional butler's pantry is actually a lot more attainable than you may think. From narrow hallways, small closets and walk-in setups to large, secondary kitchens, we've rounded up butler's pantry ideas that will inspire your next home project.
As with any food pantry, a butler's pantry is a great place to store dry ingredients, paper goods or small appliances. Take it to the next level with a prep sink, wine refrigerator or built-in microwave. Don't forget to reserve counter space for chopping, mixing or blending, so you don't have to worry about dirtying your primary kitchen — especially before hosting. The butler's pantry is incredibly versatile: fill it with glassware and liquor to double as a home bar or organize pots, pans and spices to limit clutter in the kitchen.
No matter how you use your butler's pantry, we've found it's the perfect space to experiment with design. While you may choose to go neutral in the kitchen, consider bringing in a fresh design trend in the butler's pantry — like a striking wallpaper, dramatic cabinet color or statement lighting. Start scrolling these classic, chic and cool inspirational photos from some of our favorite designers.
Add a Rolling Ladder
Fill shelves with food storage canisters, baskets of packaged foods and dinnerware. But, install a rolling ladder to ensure you're able to access those hard-to-reach places on the daily.
Make a Statement With Flooring
Whereas you may stick to neutrals in the kitchen, don't shy away from bold flooring in the butler's pantry. To complement gray-blue cabinetry and marble countertops, the design team at JAM chose patterned floor tiles.
Build an Archway
Take note from architectural designer Kelly McDougall and build a secondary kitchen beyond your main kitchen. Step through this arched doorway to find extra counter space, a prep sink and open shelving stocked with essentials.
Create a Prep Station
Whether you build in counters or bring in a freestanding kitchen island, carve out surface space for chopping, slicing and mixing. Here, designer Kate Marker even dedicates a spot for the microwave to make prep easier.
RELATED: Best Countertop Microwaves, According to Expert Testing
Introduce a High-Gloss Finish
Go maximalist with a moody paint color in a high-gloss finish, like BarnesVanze Architects does here with dark blue cabinets. Layer in brass hardware for even more personality.
Invest in Small Appliances
Drink fridges, prep sinks, even small dishwashers make it possible to cook or bartend just as easily as you could in the kitchen. Designer Amy Peltier adds upper cabinets and open shelving for storage.
RELATED: Best Wine Fridges and Coolers of 2023, According to Testing
Display Glassware and Dinnerware
Pack open shelving with bowls, bottles and glasses to maximize space, but also create a chic display. Tip: Keep the walls and shelves a neutral hue, so your dinnerware pops.
RELATED: The Best Colorful Glassware Sets for Summer Entertaining
Play With Pastels
Pale blues, greens or pinks add a cheerful, yet calming pop of color to the butler's pantry. Take a cue from designer Bria Hammel, who goes for light blue cabinets paired with gold hardware.
Consider Floor-to-Ceiling Storage
Here, designer Kate Marker makes use of vertical space by building shelves all the way to the ceiling. Higher up storage is ideal for infrequently used ingredients or appliances. Just be sure to keep a stepping stool nearby.
Go Green
Green is a popular choice for the kitchen or secondary kitchen (in fact, we predicted the hue will remain a kitchen trend for 2023). Designer Caren Rideau goes for a bright, yet soothing shade for this butler's pantry.
RELATED: Green Kitchen Cabinet Ideas That'll Energize the Heart of Your Home
Use Canisters and Drawers for Food Storage
Store everyday ingredients and snacks in glass jars and canisters. Think pretzels and cookies, as well as rice, coffee beans, flour or sugar. Designers at Grothouse even built in mesh drawers for produce like onions and potatoes.
RELATED: The Best Food Storage Containers, Tested by Experts
Embrace an Open Floor Plan
While a small room or closet works well for a butler's pantry, so does a blank wall in the dining room or beside the kitchen. Build a single-wall butler's pantry for extra prep space, like this setup from The Residency Bureau, and enjoy the dose of style it adds to the kitchen.
Go Glam
With a statement ceiling, striking chandelier and moody cabinet color, Grothouse layers dramatic accents into this spacious butler's pantry.
Install a Prep Sink
Making coffee, washing produce and cleaning dishes is much easier when your butler's pantry has a prep sink. Designer Kasey Fitzgerald makes this corner space bright to maximize function.
Mix Up Flooring
Even if your butler's pantry is small, it's the perfect room to go bold with flooring. If the rest of your living space is hardwood, consider classic checkerboard tiles like this look from designer Nikki Lugh.
Swap out Solid Cabinet Doors
Add depth to a small space by trading wood cabinet doors for clear glass panels. Designer Rebecca Driggs displays drinkware and dinnerware to double as decor.
Add Task Lighting
In this farmhouse-style interior, designer Kate Lester illuminates a prep station with wall lighting — chopping and prepping just got easier!
RELATED: French Country Kitchen Design Ideas That Bring on the Charm
Go Bold With Wallpaper
Floral wallpaper is a guaranteed way to pack a ton of style into a small space. Replicating the function of a galley kitchen, designer Cortney Bishop uses blue cabinets on each side of the room.
RELATED: Gorgeous Galley Kitchen Ideas to Maximize Small Layouts
Install Barn Doors
This set of unfinished barn doors adds a farmhouse style to this chic kitchen. The doors effortlessly conceal a small pantry, full of small appliances and food storage, when you slide them closed.
Add a Built-In Microwave
Rather than having your microwave on display in your main kitchen, build it into your prep kitchen. Don't forget to clear some counter space, so you can mix or chop before heating your food.
Turn a Hallway Into a Second Kitchen
Here, Fowlkes Studio turns a hallway outside the kitchen into a stylish prep kitchen. Single-wall kitchens work well in narrow spaces like hallways or on empty walls in dining or living rooms.
Make it Metallic
If your butler's pantry doubles as a home bar, you've got even more reason to go daring. Designer Michelle Gerson uses metal tiles and a metallic-finish for cabinetry to create this striking design.
RELATED: Stunning Home Bar Ideas That Pack Style Into Small Spaces
Extend the Kitchen
Although a narrow wall breaks up the two spaces, this butler's pantry — designed by Kristin Harrison of Bungalow 10 Design — serves as an extension of the kitchen. It's equipped with a second sink, spacious cabinets and a drink fridge.
Experiment With Design Styles
If the rest of your house is modern or minimal, consider experimenting with a different design style in the butler's pantry. With a textured wallpaper, under-sink curtain and historic decor, Grothouse goes for a traditional, vintage-inspired aesthetic.
Designate a Spot for Drinks
Complete with a full-size wine cooler, glassware on display and a small counter, designer Caren Rideau reserves a space for mixologists.
Keep it Neutral
As much as we love a maximalist butler's pantry, you can't go wrong with a neutral color palette. Kate Marker pairs white cabinetry, tiles and countertops with black hardware for a bit of contrast.
RELATED: Stunning Kitchens with White Cabinets
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