38 stylish and practical pantry ideas for your kitchen

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...

Fresh and muted, this sage green kitchen larder draws upon soft, botanical shades found in the natural world. With a calming feel, shades of sage work particularly well in country kitchen schemes that are flooded with light.

• Sherwood Larder in Sage Green from Benchmarx Kitchens

Cocooning and feminine, pink certainly has a way to make a space feel full of personality. Kitchens can often be a neutral affair in our homes, but this pink pantry from Tom Howley is a lesson in how to do it well. We also love the super smart wine rack, which can be seen through the glass door.

• See more from Tom Howley

This red pantry from Herringbone will tempt you to ditch conventional coloured cabinetry. Offering a grown-up approach to kitchen design, it has been complemented by brass handles and marvellous marble worktops.

• See more from Herringbone

'To retain cohesion paint your pantry in the same colour as your existing cabinets, or to create more of a contrast add a pop of colour,' Al Bruce, Founder of Olive & Barr, says.

'Painting your pantry in a different shade will act as a focal point whilst adding depth and interest to the space.'

• See more from Olive & Barr

The humble pantry gets an upgrade. This design from Husk Kitchens, boasting vibrant green cupboards and gold handles, is ideal for anyone wanting to make a statement with storage.

• See more from Husk Kitchens

Having a well-organised kitchen larder can enhance the functionality and efficiency of a kitchen. If you're designing a walk-in larder, max out your storage space.

'To maximise available space, consider running shelves or cabinets all the way to the ceiling for additional storage,' Tom Howley says.

'Different heights of shelving should be used to allow easy access to both smaller and more bulky items. Shallow shelves are perfect for spices and cereal, while sturdy oak shelving is a good option for holding the weight of jars and tins.'

• See more from Tom Howley

Larders are highly covetable objects to have in the kitchen, particularly for storage-seekers. If you're not sure what to choose, let this design from Wren Kitchens inspire you. With seven shelves, there's enough space to squeeze everything in and then hide it behind the large doors.

• See more from Wren Kitchens

'The benefit of a built-in design is definitely the sleek, stylish appeal. Ideal for filling an awkward space, these tall units are perfect for smaller kitchens as they use all of the available wall space while enhancing storage,' continues Al.

'A pantry can remove the need for upper cabinetry, allowing the light to flow through the space, opening up the possibility of open shelving instead.'

• See more from Olive & Barr

A pantry can provide the answer to all your storage woes. An easy way to recreate the look of a kitchen pantry is to neatly display kitchen goods on a shelf. Some pantries may have specific racks or compartments for wine bottles, spices, small appliances or food, so you could consider trying this.

• See more from B&M

Maintaining an organised pantry is essential. Using containers, baskets and labels for different categories helps keep everything in order, making it easier to find what you need. Pantries can also be used to store non-food items, such as cleaning supplies and household essentials, so why not dedicate a drawer or two to miscellaneous items?

• See more from Magnet Kitchens

'Consider bi-fold doors so when the unit is in use and the family are in and out during the time of use, the doors are half the size and can sit nicely over the worktop in front,' suggests William from Herringbone.

• See more from Searle & Taylor

'Your walk-in pantry should be a natural extension of the kitchen, so when designing it, you should think about its everyday practical requirements, how it will function, and what you will store there,' adds Tom Howley.

'You should also draw up a list of elements that you may need in the future, ensuring your walk-in pantry has longevity. You might involve more drawers or put an emphasis on shelving, all orderly contained behind doors.'

• See more from Tom Howley

In a daring navy hue, this pantry cupboard is sure to wow guests popping over for drinks. Whether you're storing bottles, books or crystal glasses, it's the perfect nook for keeping everything tidy and neat. Cocktail night, anyone?

• See more from the Country Living Kitchens at Homebase

Lucky enough to have your very own walk-in pantry? We love how this one feels like a natural extension of the kitchen with a mixture of shelves, drawers and work surface space. The vibrant blue and white tiles add a touch of something unique.

• See more from Wood Works Brighton

This striking walk-in pantry has glass doors, sleek grey cabinets and wooden shelves for kitchen accessories.

• See more from Kin by Mowlem

Blue has replaced grey as the go-to on-trend colour, especially when it comes to kitchens. While you may be tempted to play it safe, this navy pull-out kitchen larder from B&Q shows just how well it works. Anyone else totally in love with this space?

• See more from GoodHomes at B&Q

This stunning white and navy pantry cupboard from Life Kitchens is providing plenty of dreamy design ideas.

'A well-organised kitchen pantry is not only pleasing on the eye, but will allow you to shop smarter and prevent from unnecessary rummaging in attempt to reach the long lost herbs stuck at the back of the cupboard,' say Jenna & Mariana from Interior Fox.

• See more from Life Kitchens

Cosy, rustic and timeless, this country larder cupboard has all the right storage space for kitchen essentials. With two closing doors either side, it's great for keeping clutter away and displaying only your favourites (such as the wine bottles underneath).

• See more from Dunelm

Beautiful to look at and practical to use, elevate your kitchen space with this colourful, tall larder cupboard. Opt for zesty orange to brighten a neutral space.

• See more from Harvey Jones

READ MORE: 7 bold and beautiful kitchen colour ideas

In a soft oak, this kitchen larder unit brings in an element of warmth, while also providing plenty of storage. With more shelves than you can count, you'll never run out of space for all of those jars.

• See more from Tom Howley

A corner pantry is the perfect way to give your kitchen a classic touch and make the most of an under-utilised area. Enabling you to close the door on mess, this design has room for wine bottles, shelves for dry food and even space to stand inside. Trust us when we say corner pantries are a good idea.

• See more from LochAnna Kitchens

Kitchen pantry goals! We love the organised display of rice, pasta and flour on the top shelf.

'Kitchen pantries are becoming more and more important, with healthy living vital to our everyday life and organisation crucial to keeping our minds clear,' says Ella Jade, Co-founder of ROOBBA. 'Colour co-ordination and category co-ordination are the perfect way to design your pantry. Use parallel lines to stack your shelves, and organise using colour, category and also height to create the most beautifully designed pantry.'

• See more from Roundhouse Design

'Installing built-in shelving in your kitchen pantry will create a seamless and mess-free look,' advises Kane Hughes, interior designer at MyJobQuote.co.uk.

'If you prefer a minimalist look, opt for cabinets or drawers in your pantry, as you can keep all your food out of sight by locking them away in a cupboard. Open shelving is ideal if you like to see everything on display and is also great for grab and go cooking.'

• See more from Carpetright.

On the hunt for a darker, more swoon-worthy style? We're crushing on this dark teal storage unit, which can be hidden away thanks to the cabinet doors.

• See more from Burbidge Kitchen Makers

We love this gorgeous pull-out kitchen larder, which is great to consider if you don't have space for a walk-in pantry. Plus, the scene-stealing pop of orange adds a real touch of intrigue.

• See more from Wren Kitchens

Try a circular walk-in pantry if you have the space and your kitchen will feel more spacious than before.

• See more from Mowlem & Co

'A successful pantry is all about optimised storage and luxury is created through a well thought out use of space,' says Lena Cottray, Senior Designer at Rigby&Rigby. 'If aesthetic and produce display is important to the look of your pantry, consider open shelving and take time in selecting storage containers that tie in with the design of the room.'

• See more from Daval

Give your pantry an element of privacy with frosted glass sliding doors. We love that it feels like part of the kitchen while also being its own room.

• See more from Mowlem & Co

Bring your kitchen right up to date with this sleek, contemporary pull-out larder.

• See more from Daval

SEE MORE: 20 stunning dark kitchen ideas

In a stylish sage green hue, this kitchen looks like something you might scroll past on Instagram. The practical kitchen larder unit — with pull-out drawers and wooden shelves – is ideal for displaying jars, tins and home accessories.

• See more from Brayer Design

Wooden textures sit beautifully within a kitchen. This storage nook feels tucked away from the rest of the room but can brilliantly hold all of your dry goods.

• See more from Tom Howley

READ MORE: A guide to buying sustainable furniture

'A corner unit is a compact option when you don’t have space for a walk-in pantry. It allows you to access everything with ease and means you can incorporate different storage into your kitchen design,' explains Matt Aitken, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens.

'Here, the corner pantry in the Somerset Kitchen from Benchmarx Kitchens, has wider shelves to house bulkier items as well as handy storage to keep bottles neat. When closed, the doors continue the lines of the cabinets and plinths for a seamless finish against other units.'

• See more from Benchmarx Kitchens

If you've got the space for a walk-in pantry, this design from Wren Kitchens is great to consider. Ideal for creating the perfect solution to maximise storage.

• See more from Wren Kitchens

Got a smaller kitchen but still want your own larder? Try this cupboard style — a perfect go-to choice when space is tight.

• Discover more from Life Kitchens

If you've got the room, a walk-in pantry is the best way to maximise your kitchen space. The full heights will make the most of your wall space and you'll be surprised by what you can fit in.

• See more from Davonport Kitchens

This kitchen larder's full height, shelves, drawers and spice rack allows room for all of your cooking essentials, plus much more.

• Discover more from Burbidge

Set the scene in your kitchen with this dramatic, rustic style. Here, the sliding door zones the space, while the pops of colour on the wooden panels above add plenty of charm.

• Discover more from The Main Company

For a modern touch, elevate your kitchen with a free-standing larder. It's the perfect storage add-on to your space.

• See more from Davonport Kitchens

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