Scroll through Pinterest or a glossy home magazine and it’s hard not to linger on those picture-perfect pantry ideas with their ordered shelves and hidden appliances, all tucked neatly away from view. The promise is simple: less clutter, more calm and a kitchen that always feels under control.
But behind the photos lies a practical consideration. Walk-in pantries take up space, and in many homes that space has to come from somewhere else. Not every layout can accommodate a separate room, and even when it can, it’s worth asking whether that space might work harder another way.
So before committing to a dedicated walk-in pantry, it’s worth pausing to consider the alternatives. Could a well-designed cupboard do the same job, or even do it better? And where does the increasingly popular freestanding larder unit fit into the picture?
Pros of a walk-in pantry
1. Everything is concealed behind one door
One of the biggest appeals of a pantry is its ability to make everything disappear at once. Instead of spreading food, crockery and appliances across multiple cupboards, a pantry gathers it all behind a single door and instantly restores a sense of calm to kitchen chaos.
This is especially valuable in open-plan homes, where the kitchen is always on show. As Tom Howley, creative design director at Tom Howley, explains, “A walk-in pantry is particularly valuable when clients want to maximise storage while keeping a clean, considered look in their kitchen. They provide beautifully organised storage for dry goods and tableware, helping to keep the main kitchen calm and clutter-free.”
Kitchen units, on the other hand, can conceal individual items, but they rarely deliver the same clean-slate effect.
2. They offer a dedicated zone for appliances
Where walk-in pantries really come into their own is appliance storage. Coffee machines, mixers, blenders and other small kitchen appliances no longer need to sit on precious worktops; instead, they can live together in a purpose-designed space with integrated power and internal worktops.
According to Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors, this is where pantries outshine even the most advanced cabinetry. “A walk-in pantry provides far greater functionality through bespoke internal fittings, full-height storage and the ability to zone food alongside appliances,” he says, noting that cupboards often struggle to achieve this without fragmenting the kitchen layout.
3. It's an extension of your kitchen
A walk-in pantry can also function as extra prep space, often incorporating a cool surface for food preparation and freeing up worktops in the main kitchen. And when things get messy? Simply close the door and deal with it later.
Taking this one step further, a combined back kitchen and pantry acts as a fully fledged extension of the main space. “It’s ideal for entertaining, allowing the main kitchen to remain spotless, so it can be used for relaxed family gatherings, cocktail or dinner parties while also supporting the practical needs of daily life,” explains Tom Howley. That means washing-up stays up out of sight and the main kitchen always feels guest-ready.
4. They're aesthetically pleasing
Function aside, walk-in pantries have undeniable visual appeal. “Pantries and back kitchens have become increasingly sought-after in today’s country kitchens,” says Tom Howley.
For Tom, the magic lies in the details: “A double pantry is the most memorable part of the most fabulous kitchens – laden with interesting bottles of infused oils, rustling packets of the finest truffles, artisanal jarred vegetables and special seasonings. The act of opening a double pantry is truly a moment of awe and gives the process of cooking and entertaining a real sense of occasion.”
5. They can add real value to a home
Beyond everyday use, these features can also boost your home's resale appeal. “A well designed pantry can add a huge amount of value and appeal to potential buyers, and is definitely worth considering when planning a kitchen,” says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr. “You can typically expect it to add 5–10% of the value of a kitchen.”
That said, added value isn’t a given. A walk-in pantry works best when it genuinely improves how the kitchen functions. In smaller homes, buyers may place just as much value on smart, well-planned cupboard storage as they do on a dedicated pantry space.
Gareth Davies is the Design Director at Classic Interiors. He oversees all designs created by the design team at Classic Interiors. At Classic Interiors he ensures their design team put a huge emphasis on understanding what the client wants to achieve with the space.
Tom has spent over 20 years designing bespoke kitchen and utility rooms designed to work in harmony with a client's lifestyle.
Founder Al Bruce began his illustrious career 25 years ago studying to be a cabinet maker at college. With a natural flair for design and a deep passion for the industry, Al finally opened his own Shaker kitchen company, Olive & Barr in 2018.
Cons of a walk-in pantry
1. They need space – and can compromise your layout
A walk-in pantry only really works when it has room to breathe and in compact kitchen layouts, a poorly positioned pantry can end up feeling more like an obstacle than an asset.
Gareth Davies cautions that if adding a pantry “breaks up your main prep run or pinches circulation below 900mm,” the budget is often better spent elsewhere — think wide drawers, targeted pull-outs and high-quality internal fittings within the main kitchen.
2. They require upkeep and organisation
That beautifully organised walk-in pantry doesn’t maintain itself. To stay practical (and pleasant to use), a pantry requires regular cleaning and stock rotation. Without that, it can quickly become a catch-all for half-used packets and forgotten ingredients.
Cupboards, on the other hand, are often easier to manage simply because they’re used more often and in smaller doses, making everyday organisation feel more manageable.
Pros of a kitchen cupboard pantry
1. They’re better suited to smaller spaces
If space or budget is limited, clever cupboard design can often achieve much of what a pantry does. As Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, explains, “A well-designed cupboard solution can replicate many of the same functions as a walk-in pantry, allowing dry goods and everyday items to be hidden behind pocket or integrated doors and keeping the kitchen streamlined.”
2. They feel more intuitive for everyday cooking
Cupboard-based storage often fits more naturally with how we use our kitchens day to day. When ingredients and tools live close to where you actually cook, everything feels easier and less stop-start.
Thoughtful internal design also means drawers and pull-outs make it simple to see what you have, without sacrificing precious worktop space. As kitchen designer Gareth Davies puts it, “wide drawers, shallow wall units and a couple of narrow pull-outs can replicate most pantry capacity with excellent accessibility.”
Emily is a design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, a design and build company who not only create bespoke kitchens, but also thoughtfully crafted renovations and extensions.
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Cons of a kitchen cupboard pantry
1. They have limited capacity and can’t hide everything at once
Where pantry cupboards do tend to fall short is in that one satisfying moment of closing the door and making everything disappear. While clever cupboard solutions can mimic many of the practical benefits of a walk-in pantry, Emily Newmarch points out that “a pantry offers a sense of separation and capacity that cupboards can’t always fully replicate,” something that’s particularly noticeable in larger households.
There’s also the question of appliances. As Gareth Davies explains, “What a cupboard setup can’t always match is an appliance-ready work zone, with integrated power and a short internal counter behind pocket or bi-fold doors.” It can also struggle to deliver that at-a-glance overview a tall larder or pocket-door pantry provides. “For many homes the trade-off is acceptable,” he adds, “but serious bakers or gadget users usually miss the contained workstation.”
Freestanding pantry units – the perfect middle ground?
For many homeowners, the choice isn’t strictly between a walk-in pantry and a standard kitchen cupboard. A freestanding pantry unit can offer a practical middle ground.
Because these units typically sit within the main kitchen, they make storage feel effortless rather than disruptive. Everything stays close to where you cook, with full-height shelving and internal drawers making it easy to see what you have at a glance. It’s a practical balance that often works better than a walk-in pantry in smaller kitchens where space and flow really matter.
Freestanding pantry units also work particularly well as appliance garages, keeping coffee machines and mixers tucked away but ready to use. They can also double as a neat breakfast nook or coffee station, giving you a dedicated spot for morning routines without breaking up the rest of the kitchen.
That said, they’re not a like-for-like replacement for a walk-in pantry. Without the same sense of separation or internal worktop space, they can feel restrictive over time, particularly in larger households.
Shop freestanding pantry cupboards
Ideal for kitchens short on space, this painted oak larder delivers pantry-style organisation in a compact form, combining timeless design with the kind of practical storage you’ll actually use every day.
A great pick for kitchens that need smart storage without disrupting flow, this oak-effect larder brings everyday essentials neatly together, with extra door shelves to keep clutter under control.
A fuss-free option for adding pantry-style storage on a budget, this freestanding cupboard keeps dry goods and appliances neatly tucked away while blending with existing kitchen décor.
Final verdict
The choice between a walk-in pantry, freestanding unit or bespoke pantry cupboard will ultimately come down to how you live. As Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, explains, "The decision should reflect your lifestyle, shopping habits, available space and how the kitchen is used day to day.”
She adds that in many cases, working with a kitchen designer or furniture maker during your kitchen renovation or kitchen remodel can help you understand whether a dedicated pantry is truly necessary, or whether intelligent cabinetry and thoughtful spatial planning can achieve the same result at fraction of the price.
