A pantry is a dedicated space for storing food, kitchen supplies and small appliances, separate from the kitchen cabinets. It can be a walk-in room, a reach-in closet, a tall cabinet or a butler’s pantry between the kitchen and dining room.
The word comes from the old French paneterie, a room for storing bread. Today a pantry is any space dedicated to food and kitchen storage. In Florida homes, where kitchens are often open to the living area, a good pantry is what keeps the counters clear.
Types of pantries
- Walk-in pantry: a small room with shelves on two or three walls. Common in newer Central Florida homes.
- Reach-in pantry: a closet with shelves, often next to the fridge.
- Cabinet pantry: a tall kitchen cabinet with pull-out shelves.
- Butler’s pantry: a pass-through between the kitchen and dining room with counters and storage.
Common sizes
A reach-in pantry is typically 24 to 30 inches deep and 2 to 5 feet wide. A walk-in pantry is usually at least 5 by 5 feet. Shelves work best at 12 to 16 inches deep so nothing hides behind something else.
Make the bottom shelf a pull-out drawer. It’s the best spot for heavy bulk items, drinks and pet food, and you won’t have to kneel to see what’s at the back.
How to organize a pantry
- Empty it and toss anything expired.
- Group food by category: breakfast, baking, canned goods, snacks, pasta and grains.
- Store daily items at eye level and heavy items low.
- Use clear containers for dry goods and label them.
- Keep a zone for small appliances and bulk items.
In Florida’s humidity, airtight containers matter: they keep pantry pests and moisture out of flour, cereal and rice.
When to upgrade
If your pantry has deep wire shelves where things get lost, adjustable shallow shelves, pull-out drawers and spice racks can change how you use it. See our custom pantry designs. Many homeowners redo the laundry room at the same time.
Adjustable shelves, drawers and pull-outs designed for your space.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of a pantry?
To store food, kitchen supplies and small appliances outside the main kitchen cabinets.
How deep should pantry shelves be?
12 to 16 inches, so items don’t hide behind each other.
Free in-home design and a 3D plan with an exact price, before anything is built.
