Designing The Perfectly Sized Butler's Pantry When Remodeling A Kitchen

Today, one huge trend in kitchen remodeling has been the rise of the open concept. It's a functional design that can set the aesthetic for your entire living space. However, there is one significant drawback to having your kitchen exposed to your living space. Keeping your kitchen clean, especially when entertaining, can be challenging.

One "old-house" feature that's enjoying a renaissance as a result of the growing trend for open concept living is the butler's pantry. In fact, more new home buyers and remodeling projects are placing this hallmark of Victorian homes and Colonial America on their "wish lists." With the increased interest in entertaining, it's pretty understandable.

A Quick History of The Butler's Pantry

Traditionally a butler's pantry was adjacent to the main kitchen and was a narrow room used to store delicate china and crystal, serving pieces and silver, often kept under lock and key. In fact, the name comes from the fact that in Europe, a butler often slept in the pantry to guard the silver! In the Victorian era, most homes were built with both a Butler's pantry and a traditional food pantry or larder.

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Most Colonial or Historic Victorian homes still include the butler's pantry today, although many may have been converted into laundries, small offices, or for other use. Modern and contemporary homes built in the last several decades completely eliminated the butler's pantry opting for great rooms, open floor plans, and mudrooms instead.

Return of the Butler's Pantry

Today as floor plans have become more open and our kitchens have become a part of our living space, they are much more on display. While it's convenient and connects us with family and guests when entertaining, if you're a messy cook, have messy kids, or don't clean immediately after a meal, it's not great.

(Re)Enter the butler's pantry!

Today, since most homeowners don't have a need to keep track of the silver, the butler's pantry has become a valuable workspace, made more relevant by the open concept. A modern butler's pantry has countertops making it a perfect storage and staging area when entertaining. Some even include a sink, extra refrigerator, and plenty of storage, making then the place to prepare or plate meals. For others, it's the perfect place to keep all or most of the mess out of sight when entertaining.

One of the most significant selling points and the reason it's the most requested addition for homeowners planning a kitchen remodel is how much storage space it contains. Homeowners with many small appliances can relocate them off the kitchen cabinets. There's plenty of space for dry goods storage, cookware, and serving ware. The butler's pantry is a valuable buffer zone between the kitchen and dining area, which is especially useful when entertaining. Hidden by a drawer, it offers privacy for hosts to keep the food prep out of sight without distracting from the open flow.

Adding and Designing Your Butler's Pantry

When it comes to adding a butler's pantry into your kitchen remodel, the sky's the limit! If you have space and the budget, it all comes down to how you live and how you'll use the area. In terms of location, a butler's pantry can be located in any space that's adjacent to the kitchen. Typically, it's placed somewhere between the kitchen and the dining room. If you're remodeling and have a small area such as an underused closet, mudroom, breakfast nook, or even a transitional hallway can be repurposed.

If the area isn't closed off by a door, consider using bi-fold doors or pocket doors. It's the best way to preserve space in the kitchen since these types of doors won't eat up as much floor space as a standard door when it swings open.

Whether your remodeling your existing kitchen to include a butler's pantry or designing a new home, here are some essential features to consider:

Cupboards and Drawers

The butler's pantry was traditionally used for storage, and we can all use more of that in the kitchen! The modern version can accommodate specialty items you use seasonally, like fine silverware, serving utensils, china, linens, etc.

Countertops and Shelving

If you're more apt to use your butler's pantry as a staging area for meals or when entertaining, make sure you have enough counters and shelf space to accommodate the plates before transferring them to the dining room. Include open shelving to provide versatility and help you maximize storage space.

Power Outlets

The butler's pantry is the perfect space for seldom-used appliances that would otherwise clutter kitchen counters. It's also the ideal place for a coffee station. Make sure you plan for an adequate number of power outlets to ensure your devices are ready to use when you need them.

Cold Storage

Adding a mini-fridge, wine storage, or a small cooler can help keep plates cold while you prepare the meal.

Hot Storage

Similarly, a hot plate, cooktop warming tray, or warming drawer can keep food warm as you plate your meal, or prepare to serve.

Adequate Lighting

Bright ceiling lights, and if you're planning on using your pantry as a workspace, focused task lighting will ensure that you remain safe when working, and can see well enough when plating a meal.

If you have a larger space, the sky is the limit! Your butler's pantry can include features like a fully plumbed sink, dishwasher, wet bar, microwave, secondary refrigerator or freezer, a cooktop, warming oven, wine chiller, even some seating!

Space Requirements

While you can create a butler's pantry in almost any available space, some considerations are depending on how you plan to use the room.

You'll need a space at least 5 ½ feet wide to accommodate a 36" aisle space and a 24" countertop. If you have additional space to work with, you can create storage space on the wall opposite the countertop. Your butler's pantry should be at least 7 to 8 feet long to have a comfortable working area and room for a countertop.

The minimum space you need for a functional butler's pantry is 5'6" wide by 7' long. However, if you have space and want to include some larger options like a fridge, sink, microwave, and a few small appliances, you'll need a more substantial area to work with. A space that is 8' X 10" will give you a large area to work with and is about the size of a small kitchen.

Remember, your butler's pantry is a work area, and unlike your open kitchen, which is visible, you don't need to spend on expensive countertops or doors. Laminate or butcher block countertops and open shelving can give you plenty of space to work and store everything you need.

Adding a butler's pantry to your kitchen remodel is a smart use of space, especially if you're planning on creating an open concept. Before you finalize your plan, visualize working your butler's pantry. Can you move freely? Is everything within reach? How far do you have to walk to the kitchen and dining room? Do you have plenty of workspace and storage? If you take the time and get the details right, you'll wonder how you ever lived without a butler's pantry!

If you're planning a kitchen remodeling in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area, give the experts at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. Let us show you all the benefits of adding a butler's pantry to your upcoming kitchen remodel. You can also schedule a virtual design consultation from anywhere in the country!