Dictionary.com defines “pantry” as 1. a room or closet in which food, groceries, and other provisions, or silverware, dishes, etc., are kept. 2. a room between the kitchen and dining room in which food is arranged for serving, glassware and dishes are stored, etc.

It sounds so simple, but the benefits of a kitchen pantry are immeasurable.

The pantry has seen a resurgence in recent years, as homeowners are seeing it as one of the best gifts they can give themselves while designing their new kitchen. Believe me, there’s nothing like walking into a pantry and seeing all the ingredients you need to put together that family dinner or weekend breakfast for that surprise guest.

There’s definitely a charm and nostalgia to the pantry as well as a practical and utilitarian purpose. If you have the space, we suggest you give it considerable thought. It doesn’t even need to be a huge space. A broom closet or other small area can be easily converted to a pantry with modular shelf arrangements or some cabinetry.

If you have the space to incorporate a walk-in, walk-through or even a separate room, you won’t regret it. This type of space lets you store dry goods, tableware, flatware, pans, liquor, etc. Having the pantry also will free up valuable cabinet space in the rest of the kitchen. And with the right cabinetry, shelving and additional countertop space in the pantry, you’ll be able to stage service and organize food prep while minimizing disruption to the rest of the kitchen.

When designing a pantry, you should emphasize organization and functionality. Proper shelf size and depth, cabinetry, countertops, flexibility, lighting and aesthetics must all be considered to design a pantry that works for you. This is where Custom comes in. We have the design knowledge and cabinet and material lines that will make this work.

To learn more about our approach to kitchen and bath remodeling, you can reach us at www.custom-contracting.com or 781-648-2835.