Yesterday, we made the first steps in starting the next project at our home. If you missed it, I’ll do my best to save the process to a highlight bubble. Even though, I’m the actual worst at remembering. We cleaned out the room that will be our new pantry. So today, I thought I’d take you through some of my thoughts and plans for this space.
For starters, here is a look at our current pantry. It’s not a bad space by any means and pretty average in size, however, it’s dumb storage. If you watch my Instagram stories, you’ll know that I have a big vendetta agains dumb storage. We can’t just have big open spaces and call them storage. Those kinds of spaces end up being cluttered with junk we can’t find later when we’re looking for it.
Why is this room dumb storage, though? It does have shelving appropriate for a pantry, right? RIGHT. So maybe this space itself isn’t dumb, but you know what is? The minuscule closet next to it devoted to the washer/dryer and the ZERO laundry storage available. Pair that with the fact that there is a pretty decent size closet right across our entryway who’s only job is to hold our water heater? YEAAAA! dumb. So this entire area deserves to be better utilized.
I have plans for the laundry area to expand and create more usable space, but in order to do that, this pantry has to be relocated. Cue that big empty closet. The PERFECT spot for our walk in pantry. Below is a photo of that space empty (it wasn’t empty until yesterday when I finally cleaned it out)!
If I’m going to put work and money into in, there is no sense it not doing it well, so we’re not just problem solving here, we’re pretty problem solving (new catchphrase?). Let’s dive into my inspiration images.
So let’s figure out what it is that I’m after in this space? What things are important to me?
- Moody – I think a pantry is the perfect place to go moody. Kind of like a closet, it’s hidden from most of the house and I love adding drama in unexpected places. So I’m FOR SURE going dark in here.
- Both Closed and Open Storage – All of these images have open shelving toward the top and some form of drawers or closed storage at the bottom. Another smart solution for pantry storage problems. I definitely plan on implementing this.
- Countertop Space – this has become a recent fad with pantry design or butler’s pantry design. For me, though, the entire purpose of this is to move our coffee maker and accessories into the pantry an off of my kitchen counters! A BIG win in my book!
So, let’s talk about the plan. I’ve done a preliminary floor plan below to give you an idea of where I’m headed with this. It’s an oddly shaped space and we still have the water heater and air conditioner to think about as well. So I’ll do my best to work around and fill all available space! Subject to change, of course!
So, I had a hard time coming up with a plan for this space. I was 100% not kidding when I told you guys on IG stories how ODDLY this room was shaped. It has 1 square corner. 1! ONE! UNO! Which is likely why it wasn’t used for anything meaningful before. But I’m determined to make it usable space. The shape is also why I’d rather my laundry room stay where it is and expand the closet. There is actually more usable square footage in that spot.
As you see above, I’m going to add 3 cabinets to the space. Two base cabinets and one taller/pantry style cabinet. The trick with this space is that there is a water heater, AC unit, and an electrical panel (on the left wall) that all have to remain accessible.
Here’s my plan. I put in a shelf and some holders for my cleaning supplies in that weird back corner on the bottom right. The long skinny thing in the middle is going to be a false wall. It will essentially be a full door. It will swing into the water heater and allow access to that little cleaning nook. And if I need to get to the AC or water heater, I can step into the cleaning nook, close the door back, and I can get to those large appliances. I’ll also make it so that the door can easily be completely removed if necessary.
When you open the door to the pantry, the space will feel MUCH smaller than it actually is. Only you and I (and the entire internet) will know that behind what looks like a wall, is even more storage.
This whole idea was kelsey’s plan. Gotta hand it to her. It’s solid ‘pretty problem solving’! Now, I can’t wait to see if all actually come to life!!!
