My former pantry, that erstwhile place where I stored
dry foods, used to be located in one of the cabinets
above the counter between the sink and stove. But I knew
I had to find another location for this important kitchen
storage function when one day I opened the cabinet and an
open box of spaghetti rained its contents onto my head.
Enough was enough!
But where to put a pantry? I assessed the layout of my
kitchen to find a new place to put my dream of a
well-organized space for food storage. Did I really need
that breakfast nook that had been the original builder's
1950s picture of family dining? I never used the space
for its intended purpose; I didn't even have a table or
chairs there, so I figured that this was a good place to
build a pantry. It would include an area for recycling
cans, paper and glass, as well as storage for laundry
products for the nearby washing machine. I also moved the
refrigerator to this area, thus creating more space on
the other side of the kitchen for a side-by-side washer
and dryer with a new work counter (see the picture in
"Wash
away your boring laundry room with innovative,
multipurpose designs," June 28).
The addition of this pantry made my modest, postwar
home feel like a mansion because, in my mind, only large,
expensive houses had pantries. It felt luxurious, grand
and special. It also made my life in the kitchen so much
easier. I could find seldom-used condiments without
having to empty a cabinet. I could have a choice of
cereals because there was room for more than one box.
And, I had an efficient place for recycling, an
unheard-of concept when I built this pantry many years
ago.
NOT BIG, JUST ROOMY
My pantry is only 4 feet wide by 3 feet deep and is as
tall as the room. It isn't a large walk-in closet but is
sufficient to do the job well.
The shelves are the most interesting design element.
Instead of running from one side to the other, front to
back, they're U-shaped. Small jars no longer disappear
behind taller items. I can see everything. Multiples of
the same product are stored behind the front row. A few
items are behind each other, but never more than three
deep, easy enough to see. I even have room to keep a fire
extinguisher in the pantry - a must in every kitchen.
A
pantry that's smaller than a walk-in
clothes closet helps a cook know what
is available and keeps it all within
easy reach
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This modest alteration to my home proved to be worth
every penny I spent. It's a change I encourage you to
consider if you have any thoughts to making small
improvements that make big differences to your home. A
pantry will even help the resale value of your home when
prospective buyers read the description and it includes
the word "pantry."
ACCESS THE POSSIBILITIES
Is your kitchen a good candidate for a pantry? Look at
the room objectively: Are you storing items that you
can't remember purchasing and that are older than their
expiration date? Are you always asking the tallest person
in the family to reach something in the cabinet for you?
If you answered yes, then a pantry would definitely make
your life easier.
Now look at the kitchen's layout: Is there space that
isn't being used efficiently where a small closet could
be built? Alternatively, do you have space to add a
pre-built, freestanding attractive storage closet or
piece of furniture that can function as a pantry? Do you
really need that rolling table that's in the corner but
hasn't moved or been used for its original purpose since
you brought it into the house? Maybe that's a good place
for your new pantry.
Building a new pantry is an easy job for a good
handyperson/carpenter. Design it so it looks as if it was
always there by incorporating crown moldings and doors
similar to others in the house. Framing should be done to
current building codes, and it should be constructed of
high-quality materials since it will be part of the
house.
If you don't want to build something, many stores and
online sites sell attractive cabinets that could be put
to use as a pantry. A Google search for "storage
cabinets" and "pantry cabinets" brings up long lists of
well-priced and attractive cabinets that could easily
become your new pantry.
Once your new pantry is in place, your life in the
kitchen will never be the same. Instead, it will be
efficient, well organized and nothing will be there again
past its "use by" date.
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