6 tips for designing a fabulous butler’s pantry

1. Ensure you have adequate storage

The primary reason for having a butler’s pantry? Storage, of course!

‘Families desire a display home kitchen, with the natural clutter hidden behind closed doors. That’s exactly what a well-designed butler’s pantry provides,’ says Nicole.

She suggests a combination of storage options to achieve the best results. ‘The great thing about a butler’s pantry is that you can see everything at a glance,’ explains Nicole.

‘Use a combination of drawers for pots and pans and shallow cabinetry so you can see everything quickly and easily. Plus, you can add open shelving to display dry goods and baskets of fruit.’

Open shelving is also a great way to save on space and budget to declutter your pantry.

2. Make sure your butler’s pantry is well lit

A butler’s pantry tends to be small, so it pays to have it well lit. It’s not ideal to prepare food or wash up dishes in the dark. Consider installing a window or skylight to ensure plenty of natural light streams in, while also providing a beautiful aesthetic feature.

‘Some people also choose to install downlights beneath the cabinetry to make everything easy to see,’ says Nicole. ‘Designated lighting for food preparation is also popular. That way, you can turn off your main ceiling light when you have guests over.’

3. Create a cohesive colour palette

Again, ensure the interior design of your butler’s pantry is light and airy to offset its smaller footprint. Most people choose to make their aesthetic a natural extension of their kitchen. ‘Keep the walls white and bright, while matching the Caesarstone benchtops and cabinetry colours with your main kitchen,’ suggests Nicole.

4. Install a sink and dishwasher

‘Especially if you have limited space, make sure you are only adding the features that are useful to your lifestyle,’ says Nicole. For many, this is a sink and dishwasher. ‘You’ll need to sacrifice some bench space, but many people choose to add a single bowl and dishwasher, so they can store and load the dirty dishes behind closed doors.’ A sink is also useful for washing hands and food when preparing family meals or hosting events.

5. Place your power points carefully

Having your small appliances within easy reach, switched on and ready to go is one of the biggest drawcards of a butler’s pantry. Make a list of the small appliances you use regularly, so you can work out how many power points you’ll need and where they should be located.

‘An appliance such as a microwave or bar fridge may have a provision, while a blender, air fryer, toaster and kettle will likely be housed on a bench or shelf,’ says Nicole. ‘Talk through all of your needs and nice-to-haves with your Boutique Homes Electrical Consultant during your initial planning meetings.’

6. Consider your entryway

The beauty of a butler’s pantry is that it’s behind closed doors, separated from the kitchen and the eyes of guests. However, hinged doors swing inwards, encroaching on the already small space. ‘It’s a practical issue that can get very annoying when you begin using the space,’ says Nicole. ‘If you need to get something quickly from a shelf or from your cabinetry, you’ll need to shut the door before you can get to it.’ The solution? ‘Install a sliding cavity door or set of bi-folds where possible,’ suggests Nicole.

Not keen on a door? Depending on the layout of your kitchen, you can cleverly conceal your butler’s pantry from view without the need for one.