32 Beautiful Butler's Pantry Ideas That Serve Up Extra Storage
A functional butler's pantry is more attainable than you may think.
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No longer are butler's pantries reserved for high-end houses! Whether it's a small room, closet or narrow hallway near the kitchen, more homeowners are carving out a designated space for food storage and meal prep. These organized spaces make everyday cooking a breeze, especially when dry ingredients are labeled, small appliances are accessible and glassware is neatly arranged. Not to mention, the best butler's pantry ideas are great for entertaining — you can easily sneak away and prep dinner without guests noticing.
The butler's pantry is incredibly versatile: install a prep sink, wine refrigerator or built-in microwave to turn it into a secondary kitchen, fill it with glassware and liquor to double as a home bar or organize pots, pans and spices to limit clutter in the kitchen. Function aside, the butler's pantry is the perfect space to experiment with design — think patterned wallpaper, high-gloss cabinets or open shelving. Regardless of your kitchen design and layout, we're sharing chic butler's pantry ideas that are guaranteed to spark inspiration.
Transform a Tiny Room
Walk through this neutral kitchen into a jewel box butler's pantry, complete with green cabinets, botanical wallpaper and light wood shelving. Take note from Sunday House Design and skip the door for an open-concept style.
Photo by: Kaitlin Green
Organize and Label Food Storage
Your pantry is only functional if you can quickly find what you need. Transfer spices, dry ingredients and favorite snacks into glass or plastic storage containers — then, label everything. This blogger also brings in Lazy Susan racks for condiments.
See more at Chris Loves Julia »
RELATED: You're Probably Making These 8 Organizing Mistakes, According to Pros
Hang Shelves From the Ceiling
Mounted above soft green cabinets, a gold shelving unit provides additional storage space in this modern butler's pantry. Here, Bethany Adams Interiors fills the wood shelves with food canisters and glassware.
Photo by: J.L. Jordan Photography
Rely on Wicker Baskets
Rather than install cabinet doors, fill the space with wicker baskets for a dose of texture, just as Meredith Owen Interiors does here. This way, you can easily pull out a basket full of supplies or ingredients and bring them into the kitchen as you cook.
Photo by: Molly Culver
Embrace Country Charm
This rustic butler's pantry is defined by creamy white cabinets, beadboard walls and a plaid sink skirt (perfect for concealing clutter). The functional space is decorated with vintage artwork, which adds to the charm.
Build a "Dirty" Kitchen
Build a secondary kitchen near your primary kitchen. Next time guests come over, you can prep and cook in the "dirty" kitchen, leaving your entertaining area mess-free. Take note from Jeff Andrews Design and find a space with natural light, so you don't mind spending a lot of time here.
Photo by: Tim Street Porter
Try Two-Tone Cabinets
If you're nervous about painting your kitchen cabinets a bold hue, no worries: the butler's pantry is lower stakes. Here, Blueberry Jones Design opts for sea foam green around natural wood cabinet doors.
Photo by: Avery Nicole Photography
Convert a Blank Wall
While most butler's pantries are located in a separate room, don't limit yourself. Transform a blank wall in the dining room or beside the kitchen into a functional prep space, like this compact setup by The Residency Bureau.
Photo by: Miranda Estes
Make a Statement With Flooring
You may feel more comfortable sticking to neutrals in the kitchen, but don't shy away from bold flooring in the butler's pantry. To complement gray-blue cabinetry and marble countertops, the design teams at JAM and FIG chose patterned floor tiles.
Photo by: Gieves Anderson
Add a Rolling Ladder
Fill shelves with food storage canisters, baskets of packaged foods and pretty dinnerware. But, install a rolling ladder to ensure you're able to access those hard-to-reach places on the daily.
Photo by: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Introduce a High-Gloss Finish
Go maximalist with a moody paint color in a high-gloss finish, like BarnesVanze Architects does here with cobalt blue cabinets. Try brass hardware for even more personality.
Photo by: Anice Hoachlander
Build an Archway
Take note from architectural designer Kelly McDougall and build a secondary kitchen beyond your main kitchen. Step through this arched doorway to find extra counter space, a prep sink and open shelving stocked with essentials.
Photo by: Kelley Kish
Play With Pastels
Pale blues, greens or pinks can add a cheerful, yet calming pop of color to the butler's pantry. Take a cue from designer Bria Hammel, who goes for light blue cabinets paired with gold hardware.
Photo by: Spacecrafting Photography
Install a Prep Sink
Making coffee, washing produce and cleaning dishes is much easier when a butler's pantry is equipped with a prep sink. Designer Kasey Fitzgerald makes this corner space bright to maximize function.
Photo by: Allison Corona
Invest in Small Appliances
Beverage fridges, prep sinks and even small dishwashers make it possible to cook or bartend just as easily as you could in the kitchen. Designer Amy Peltier adds upper cabinets and open shelving for storage.
Photo by: Mary Pat Collins
Display Glassware and Dinnerware
Pack open shelving with bowls, bottles and glasses to maximize space, but also create a chic display. Tip: Keep the walls and shelves a neutral hue, so your dinnerware pops.
Photo by: Kim Cornelison
RELATED: The Best Colorful Glassware Sets for Summer Entertaining
Create a Prep Station
Whether you build in counters or bring in a freestanding kitchen island, carve out surface space for chopping, slicing and mixing. Here, designer Kate Marker even dedicates a spot for the microwave to make prep easier.
Photo by: Stoffer Photography
RELATED: Best Countertop Microwaves, According to Expert Testing
Mix Up Flooring
Even if your butler's pantry is small, it's the perfect room to go bold with flooring. If the rest of your living space is hardwood, consider classic checkerboard tiles like this look from designer Nikki Lugh.
Photo by: Dylan Riley Foto
Consider Floor-to-Ceiling Storage
Here, designer Kate Marker makes use of vertical space by building shelves all the way to the ceiling. Higher up storage is ideal for infrequently used ingredients or appliances. Just be sure to keep a stepping stool nearby.
Photo by: Emily Kennedy
Go Green
Green is a popular choice for the kitchen or secondary kitchen. Designer Caren Rideau goes for a bright, yet soothing shade for this butler's pantry.
Photo by: Meghan Bob
RELATED: Green Kitchen Cabinet Ideas That'll Energize the Heart of Your Home
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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