21 Best Cabinet Pantry Ideas For The Busy And Not-So-Busy Kitchens
Creating an organized kitchen is possible when you own a reliable pantry system. It's just as achievable for those with limited kitchen space, thanks to the free-standing cabinet pantry ideas that can offer instant storage that can help you maximize your space. Let us show you our top 25 for a bunch of options to check out!
1. Add Open Shelving
Whether it's stainless steel racks for commercial use or a simple wooden shelf for a rustic vibe, open shelving can best help you showcase your essential ingredients and kitchen favorites, making it look more stylish yet functional.
These stainless steel racks and free-standing pantries make great minimalist and modern additions to any kitchen, as they are versatile enough for all sorts of kitchens. They also work well in bigger pantries alongside an open-concept living area and laundry room near it!
2. Use Bookcases for a Rustic Touch
Bookcase in kitchen islands - Image by Decoist
The best thing about bookshelves in the kitchen is that they are efficient and multi-functional for those looking for nifty pantry ideas to try. It's best to use them in homes with a mix of open shelving or cabinets, which also have doors so you can allocate certain shelves for different types of ingredients while others can be reserved for your cookbooks.
3. Maximize Vertical Cabinets
Take advantage of vertical cabinets by using the shelves generously with containers and canisters for proper storage. Maximize shelf space by storing staples in clear labeled bins that can be stacked to allow for grab-and-go convenience! Accommodating meal planning and shopping lists will be less of a hassle with vertical cabinet storage.
4. Put Like Items Together in Zones
Pantry with zones - Image Organized Home
Create zones on each shelf to create the perfect storage system in free-standing pantries. It can also be converted into the ultimate pantry with just a few clever enhancements!
Look in your kitchen cabinet retailer or home center to find pull-out drawers that you install inside to create a pull-out wooden organizer. Not only does this give plenty of extra room when needed, but it makes any space more organized by housing all different types of foods on their shelves.
5. Place a Hanging Rod in Your Pantry
Hanging Rod Incorporated In An Open Pantry Image by Pinterest
If you have enough space in your pantry, don't hesitate to add a hanging rod inside the free-standing pantry. This is a nifty way to hang your pots and pans inside, keeping them hidden and out of the open to avoid cluttered-looking kitchens.
You can also incorporate baskets on open shelving areas or cabinets that can be closed for organizing dry foods and even some canned goods that are not best stored behind closed doors.
6. Make Use of Lockers for Cleaning Supplies or Excess Groceries
Pantry food in lockers - Image by The Shabby Creek Cottage
This cabinet pantry idea might be too excellent for school! A set of lockers outfitted with an elegant white-painted pediment and shapely furniture feet can smartly address both style and storage issues.
Roomy lockers are great for those who live with many kids at home! It's a secure hideaway that can be labeled to remind grown-ups or kids what's stowed were right on the spot without having to go seek it out in a cluttered room.
7. Convert a Bookcase Into a Petite Mobile Cart
Bookcase in the kitchen - Image by HGTV
Create a mini mobile cart in your bookcase with this clever cabinet pantry idea. Add casters and painted lath attachments to turn it into an easy-to-use movable cart that can be rolled around when you're running low on supplies or need some extra workspace!
8. Make it a Little Country
Get with that farmhouse aesthetic and use vintage cabinets and wardrobes for your kitchen storage. Maximize authenticity in your space by making the kitchen feel like home.
Traditionally, wardrobes have different doors on its face and ample compartments for organizing clothes in an organized system. This might be what you will need to gauge how easy it is to put things away when there are no drawers or shelves left open!
9. Make an Entertainment Center Instead of a Kitchen Island
There are many ways that this kind of cabinet pantry idea could enhance the way you do gatherings. This helps keep things organized by storing all supplies within reach while keeping other areas tidy.
An entertainment center may be placed best near your dining area or living room because it would have cabinets, shelves, and drawers that could double up as an extra cabinet pantry aside from keeping people entertained.
A coat of paint and some dividers can convert a cupboard at the flea market into your new favorite entertaining space. Insets below create catchalls for beverages, candles, napkins, everything you need to make cocktails or canapes in style!
It's also an excellent place to keep bar gear like drink-making guides, martini glasses, wine glasses, and stirrers. Not to mention, it'll provide more room up top where guests will gather before dinner is served (or afterward!).
10. Fill the Storage Void with Vertical Racks
You can use narrow, vertical shelving units or racks to fill the voids and odd spaces in your kitchen. These sleek pantries supply ample space for stowing almost anything that needs storing.
They work exceptionally well with wheeled carts or wall-mounted systems, creating expansive storage areas within tiny homes like apartments and condos.
11. Attach Peg Boards to Free Standing Pantry Cabinets
With the addition of any bright paint you fancy, a cute bookcase becomes even more brilliant. Attach a pegboard at the back to create a little zone for pots, pans, and lids for easy access.
Mount baskets or bins on each side to create storage spaces; install metal rods at the front holding dish towels to avoid getting lost behind other items when stored away.
For extra convenience, add mailing tubes onto one shelf, which will hold bottles/cans easily accessible by their location code rather than rummaging through an entire closet looking for what might be hiding there.
12. Change Up the Structure with a Storage Bench
Another void space? Try changing it up and use the walls and hang up anything essential in the kitchen as much as possible. Add a bench to sit on and store appliances, cookbooks, and other kitchen must-haves to accentuate the space.
You can be creative with your no-pantry woes by pressing into service the teak bench. This piece takes on a door-less pantry cabinet role, storing baskets filled with kitchen linens and beautiful bakeware, so you don't have to go searching every time there's an urge for something new to whip up!
13. Go for the Transparent Shopkeeper's Aesthetic
The antique shopkeeper's display case is put to good use near your dining table (if you have one to spare). It stows and shows off all the things needed for setting a pretty table: stacks of napkins and shelved flat clothes, which keeps them wrinkle-free; handsome bowls wait patiently by as you pull together striking centerpieces in no time!
14. Reach-In Pantry Shelves
Organized kitchens are the key to a happy home. A fully stocked pantry can help you cook smarter in a way that enables you to figure out quickly which ones to use first before they expire. This enables you to save money on costly repairs or replacements!
With shallow shelves for easy viewing of items that can compliment deep cabinets where larger appliances usually go, this is an ideal customization hack that is perfect for limited storage space.
15. Organize Each Shelf from Dinner Down to Breakfast Items
The best way to organize your kitchen cabinet pantry is by arrangement. Arrange the shelves in order of frequency; keep breakfast items like cereal, nuts, and syrups at the base for easy access from kids or anyone!
Use middle sections and store on one shelf the remaining snacks you have like popcorn, chips, pretzels as well as bulk groceries that you've had throughout previous weeks. Move them over, so it's easier when cooking again later down the line. This cabinet pantry idea can help make everything more systematic too!
16. Try a Tall Pull-Out Rack for Narrow Spaces
With a tall pull-out pantry, you can consolidate your food and conserve space in the kitchen. The narrow cabinet slides out to reveal extended shelves for lots of storage in a bit of room! They're perfect for those who have a ton of condiments, spices, and cooking potions that they want to be hidden from the rest of the family but stored adequately.
17. Go for a Pantry-Fridge Design
The built-in look of recessed panel kitchen cabinets offers attractive, out-of-sight pantry storage. This design matches the surrounding cabinetry for a cohesive look and provides both shelf space and doorways that are perfect for storing spices or other dry goods.
In addition to small appliances like coffee makers, which often take up little countertops, a customized recessed panel can double your storage space and give back your counter space!
18. Switch Out Shelves for Drawers
Why not put your cooking essentials on a shelf that slides out from behind the door and pulls down below? Replacing shelves with deep drawers has ample space for all those dry goods you need to keep stocked at home - it'll save time sorting them when you're in too much of a hurry during meal prep or want some snacks!
19. Play Around with Storage Design and Exterior
Be mindful of the design using baskets, bins, and canvas bags to store food items and dry foods. Ensure it fits your kitchen aesthetic, and it makes your free-standing pantry look engaging and motivates you enough to keep it organized and updated at all times.
If you're looking for ways to organize your kitchen, then the items stored in these spaces must complement one another. Keep bowls with serving utensils to avoid getting lost among other miscellaneous pieces of cutlery or dinnerware; baskets can hold spices, while jars provide extra storage space if needed!
20. Consider Your Fine China
It's a given that food and appliances require space and storage in the kitchen. However, ever consider your most expensive Chinaware? Display them mindfully but with proper safety kept intact.
Neatly stack and place plates and bowls, so they're easy to find by sight or sound when you need one for dinner guests. Arrange glasses carefully so each guest has their glass without confusion about whose goblet should be used first!
21. Incorporate the Cubby System for the Kids
An excellent way to start filling your cupboards with better storage options is by adding a cubby system for the kids to catch on. They offer shallow boxes for easy access and refills. This is an organizational system that could work smart.
Conclusion
There are so many innovative ways to amp up kitchens that don't have a pantry. Incorporating a free-standing kitchen pantry can give you an upper hand and help out the best storage option available. You can mix and match our best cabinet pantry ideas to help insert more order in the busiest part of the home.