Kitchen larders and pantries can come in all shapes and sizes. There are so many practical and stylish designs to choose from, whether you've got a large kitchen and are looking for a walk-in pantry, or a smaller pull-out larder unit to maximise storage options.
The purpose of a pantry or larder is to provide organised storage for items that are regularly used in the kitchen, making them easily accessible and keeping the kitchen area clutter-free.
'Pantries and larders are beautiful and functional ways of storing essentials, white goods, teas/coffees and even wine,' says William Durrant, owner of Herringbone. 'Both are a great option to hide everything away.'
What is the difference between a larder and a pantry?
Larder cupboards are ideal for storing dry goods, long-life food and drink. Providing storage and practicality in kitchens of all sizes, a traditional larder storage is either freestanding or built-in.
'The larder has become a must-have piece in the kitchen, and it makes perfect sense,' says Leisha Norman, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones. 'The great advantage of a larder and its storage capacity is that a kitchen no longer needs to be full of wall cupboards. It frees up entire walls to either be left free or have an attractive piece of artwork, which in turn helps to make it feel less like a kitchen and instead more of a relaxed environment, perfect for open plan living areas.'
Meanwhile, the convenience of a dedicated walk-in pantry has long been admired. This dedicated 'room within a room' is perfect if you have a large household.
'The pantry has a rich and varied history in the home, and I am delighted to see it making a comeback with the ability to be personalised to suit the needs of today's busy families,' explains Julia Steadman, Commercial Director at Brandt Design. 'The advantages of having a walk-in pantry include the ability to keep your store cupboard essentials away from the main work area, which frees up more space for dining, relaxing and more appliances to make life easier.'
Walk-in pantries take more planning than larder cupboards. If you are considering one for your home, the first port of call is to work out how much space can be allocated to it. Tom Howley, Design Director at Tom Howley, says: 'This will determine the overall layout of the design – straight line, L-shape or U-shape. If you're tight for room, opt for pocket or sliding doors, as this will maximise floor space and create easy access to essential zones. Walkway and appliance clearances should also be considered to ensure there's plenty of room to manoeuvre.'
The best tip? Make your pantry work for you. Your kitchen designer can help you decide how to fit out your dedicated floor to ceiling space with shelving and cupboards, to help you store like with like and cut down on visual clutter. For example, you can store packet foods by use by date to avoid over and understocking, and create a dedicated area for storing multi-packs and snacks.
How much does a kitchen larder or pantry cost?
A fitted pantry can cost around £8,000-£10,000, meanwhile a walk-in larder can range from £8,000 - £15,000 depending on what is included. You can also purchase stand-alone pantries online, which cost between £600 - £2,000. More affordable options can be found at IKEA, starting from £75 for tall larder-inspired units.
From orange to grey and walk-in to curved, browse these versatile larder cupboard and pantry ideas...