Great pantry storage isn’t about cramming in more shelves – it’s about creating space that works intuitively, looks beautiful, and lasts for years. Whether it’s a compact pantry cupboard or a fully bespoke kitchen pantry, the right storage solutions bring order and efficiency to everyday life.
At Harvey Jones, our expert designers approach pantry storage ideas with the same care as the rest of the kitchen. Every pantry cabinet, shelf, and drawer is designed around how you live, cook, and move through your space. From walk-in pantries to built-in kitchen pantry cupboards, these are the storage solutions our designers return to again and again.
1. Full Height Pantry Cupboards
Full height pantry cupboards are one of the most effective ways to maximise storage in both large and small kitchens. By using the full vertical height of the room, a pantry cupboard can accommodate dry goods, cookware, small appliance and even integrated refrigeration without overwhelming the space.
In UK homes where square footage is often limited, this type of storage delivers generous capacity while maintaining a streamlined appearance. It helps keep worktops clear, contributing to a calmer, more organised kitchen environment.
Designing upward allows dry goods, cookware, and small appliances to live in one dedicated zone, reducing clutter elsewhere. We caught up with The Sorter Sisters, who highlighted the importance of planning pantry storage around real habits:
“Plan your kitchen pantry around your actual habits. Think about what you buy regularly, how you like to cook, and tailor the layout to suit you.”
A tall pantry cupboard supports this considered design by keeping frequently used items easily accessible while storing bulk items higher up.
2. Adjustable Pantry Shelving
Adjustable pantry shelving is essential for creating flexible storage that evolves with your household. Shelf heights are completely customisable to suit everything from tall cereal boxes to small jars, ensuring no space is wasted.
In a bespoke kitchen pantry, adjustable shelving allows your pantry cabinet to adapt over time, whether your shopping habits change or your family grows. It’s a simple but powerful solution that supports long-term usability and prevents clutter building up in your luxury kitchen.
3. Deep Drawer Storage
Deep drawers transform how a pantry functions day-to-day. Instead of reaching into dark corners, drawer-based pantry storage allows you to see everything at once, making it easier to stay organised and reduce food waste.
Truly bespoke designs like this work particularly well in kitchen larders where heavier items such as tins, bottles, and small appliances can be stored securely. Deep drawers also bring a sense of order to your kitchen making restocking and daily use effortless.
4. Integrated Appliances in Your Pantry
Modern pantry storage solutions often go beyond food alone. Integrating appliances such as coffee machines, microwaves, or warming drawers into a pantry cabinet helps maintain a calm, uncluttered kitchen.
By housing appliances within your design, you create extra storage elsewhere while preserving clean sightlines. Benefit from generous, uncluttered worktop space, allowing the pantry to operate as a seamless and highly practical extension of the kitchen rather than a separate or underused zone.
As Charlotte, one of our designers, explains:
“Create a design where you have as much clear worktop space as possible so it feels calm, clean and spacious. Integrating as many appliances as possible and finding appliances that have dual purposes so you can scale down on the number of appliances in favour of more storage space.”
Pantry storage solutions that incorporate appliances allow the kitchen to feel more open while still supporting everyday functionality.
5. Walk-In Pantries
Walk-in pantries offer the ultimate storage experience, providing space to organise food, appliances and preparation areas in one dedicated room. The key to successful walk-in pantries is thoughtful zoning.
By dividing the space into clear areas – storage, prep and appliances – the space remains efficient rather than overwhelming. Larger walk-in spaces also allow for generous shelving on multiple sides, creating storage that feels considered and intuitive rather than cluttered.
6. Internal Organisation
Thoughtfully designed internal organisation transforms a space from simply practical into something that enhances how you live every day. Features such as pull-out baskets, internal drawers, spice storage and dividers ensure that every item has a clear place.
Designer Sarah describes how she approaches internal organisation to elevate daily living:
“The key to making an everyday kitchen feel more exclusive is well thought out drawer internals. Especially utensil and spice storage, so everything feels easy and accessible.“
These pantry storage solutions are particularly effective in bespoke larder cupboards, where the interior can be designed around your exact needs. Well-organised pantries not only save time but also make it easier to keep track of what you have, reducing unnecessary overbuying.
7. Pantry Storage Designed Around Daily Routines
The most successful pantries are shaped by how you actually use your kitchen. From morning coffee routines to evening meal prep, daily habits should inform the layout of your kitchen pantry cabinet.
Designing pantry storage around real routines ensures frequently used items are always within easy reach, while less-used items are stored higher or deeper. A more personalised approach results in storage solutions that feel natural and effortless rather than forced.
Charlotte describes an efficient approach for smaller kitchens:
“In an L-shape kitchen, I’d opt for one run being the wet zone with bin, sink and dishwasher, the second run as the cooking zone with the hob and drawer storage for pots and pans, then third run as the tall height zone for an oven stack, larder cabinet and fridge freezer.”
8. Extra Storage in Bespoke Pantries
A well-designed pantry cupboard offers far more than food storage. Many homeowners plan bespoke designs to house tableware, glassware, linens and small appliances, freeing up space in other areas of the kitchen.
Lewis, one of our designers, explains how he makes extra storage feel seamless:
“I tend to ask my clients if they enjoy cooking. If so – what do they enjoy to cook. It really makes a difference to how the function and flow of the kitchen and pantry will work for that specific user.”
Extra storage is particularly valuable in bespoke family kitchens, where flexibility is key. A kitchen larder that accommodates multiple storage needs helps maintain order while supporting the changing demands of everyday life.
9. Eye Level Storage and Turntables
Effective pantry storage solutions make everyday items effortless to reach, which is why eye-level design is so important. Placing frequently used ingredients at eye height ensures nothing gets forgotten at the back of a cupboard, supporting better organisation and reducing waste.
Turntables are a simple yet highly effective addition, particularly for oils, condiments, spices and smaller jars. When integrated into a pantry cabinet, they allow contents to rotate smoothly into view.
In both walk-in and built-in pantry cupboards, combining eye-level storage with turntables ensures the design feels intuitive and easy to maintain on a daily basis.
10. The Impact of Bespoke Joinery
Bespoke joinery gives you complete control over form and function, resulting in furniture that is meticulously tailored to your space. A completely bespoke kitchen pantry ensures that every shelf, drawer and cabinet serves a purpose, with no wasted space.
While bespoke pantry costs vary depending on size and specification, the long-term value lies in durability, usability, and timeless design. High quality materials and craftsmanship ensure your pantry storage solutions remain functional and beautiful for decades. Pantries by Harvey Jones are designed to evolve with you, built for a lifetime of daily use.
Thoughtful Pantry Storage That Lasts
The most successful spaces are designed around the way you live, while seamlessly enhancing the overall kitchen design. From walk-in pantries to compact pantry cupboards, thoughtful planning ensures your space remains practical and luxurious.
By investing in bespoke pantry storage solutions, you create a kitchen that works harder, feels more organised, and stands the test of time.
FAQs About Pantry Storage
How do I maximise storage in my pantry?
Maximise pantry storage by investing in bespoke full height pantry cupboards, adjustable pantry shelving, and internal organisers that keep items visible and accessible.
What are the best pantry storage ideas?
The best pantry storage ideas combine flexible shelving, deep drawers, and bespoke cupboards designed around how you cook and shop.
How to properly organise a pantry?
Organise pantries by grouping items by category, keeping everyday essentials at eye level, and using clear containers to avoid clutter.
Should I use bins or shelves in my pantry?
A combination works best. Shelves provide structure, while bins help contain smaller items and maintain a tidy pantry.
How do you group items in your pantry?
Group items by function, such as baking, breakfast, snacks, and cooking essentials, to create intuitive pantry storage solutions that save time daily.
Start Your Pantry Project with Harvey Jones
If you’re considering a bespoke pantry, our expert designers can help create a kitchen pantry tailored to your home and habits. From pantry shelving to bespoke larder cupboards, discover storage solutions designed to last.
