Today’s kitchen-living spaces are sociable places used for relaxing, entertaining and even working. As the role of the kitchen has changed, the desire for aesthetically pleasing kitchen storage, that reflects the decor of the rest of the house, has grown. The choice of good-looking, kitchen cabinets – be they for tableware or food – has never been greater, offering an opportunity to introduce a new statement piece of furniture into your home.
What's the difference between a pantry and larder?
Pantries and larders were common features in Georgian kitchens - larders were used as an early form of refrigeration to preserve raw meat, while pantries were where non-perishable foods such as jams, grains and flour, together with table linens and silverware, would have been stored. Nowadays, thanks to modern refrigeration, perishable items tend to be stored in the fridge, and ‘larder’ and ‘pantry’ are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing. A walk-in space or separate room, however, is more commonly called a pantry.
Why should I install a pantry or larder?
A pantry or larder is a valuable addition to any kitchen. As open-plan kitchens become more desired – simultaneously doubling up as spaces in which to entertain, relax and even work – the need for a practical area or room in which to store kitchen goods is a must. Simultaneously, it enables the kitchen to function as a living area that is as aesthetically pleasing as any other room in the house.
Pantries: the different styles and layouts to choose from
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Freestanding Pantries
If you have an existing kitchen that you don’t want to change, but would like to have a larder, opt for a freestanding one. Consider buying a highly functional but also thoughtfully designed cupboard with a nod to traditional and practical touches, such as ample shelving, hooks and deep drawers. Consider whether there’s an alcove or nook that lends itself to accommodating it. Otherwise, you could incorporate it into a utility room to free up more space in the kitchen.
Sussex Sage Green Double Larder, £1095, The Cotswold Company – Buy it now
Stow Warm White Grand Triple Larder, £1495, The Cotswold Company – Buy it now
Bronx Kitchen Larder Cupboard, £750, Next - Buy it now
Vintage 1950s/60s Tall Wooden Blue & White Kitchenette, £150, Vinterior – Buy it now
New Hampshire Double Mini Larder, £496, The Dormy House – Buy it now
Chester Charcoal Larder, £1295, The Cotswold Company – Buy it now
Bromley Larder Cabinet, £299, MADE – Buy it now
Ardingly cabinet with oak base and oak stretcher shelf, £1830, Neptune – Buy it now
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Walk-in Pantries
An advantage of a larder cupboard over standard cupboards is that it usually includes worktop space. This can be used to store everyday appliances like toasters, coffee machines, mixers and blenders – items that you don’t want cluttering up the kitchen.
Pantry with staged shelving, solid marble cool shelf and limestone floor, from £6,000, Martin Moore
Walk-in pantry with open artisan shelving, quartz worktops and limestone floor, from £15,000, Humphrey Munson
Classic English tongue and groove pantry in Drop Cloth by Farrow & Ball, from £5,000, deVOL
Pantry with Carrara marble cool shelf, from £6,000, Martin Moore
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Integrated Pantries and Larders
Consider building a larder into your kitchen cabinetry for a seamless design.
Integrated larder in Lithodora from the Hartford kitchen, from £20,000, Tom Howley
Counter-top larder with pocket doors painted in Studio Green by Farrow & Ball, from £45,000, Blakes London
Larder in a pre-loved Mark Wilson kitchen, prices vary, Used Kitchen Exchange
Larder cupboard in a teal Arbor kitchen, from £25,000, Harvey Jones
Find out how to decorate with teal here.
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Larder Storage and Accessories
Once you've finally sorted out the blueprint of your larder, it's time to get organising. Storage baskets are great to use for fresh produce, clear containers for dry goods, and racks are used to keep your pots and pans tidy. You can even opt forcustom labels to keep the organised flow going and its a great way to ensure that you refill the right containers with the right products!
Steel Lazy Susans Organiser, £13.59, Amazon - Buy it now
Round Wire Storage Basket, £18.50, Willow and Stone - Buy it now
Glass Kitchen Storage Jars, £9+, Etsy UK - Buy it now
Yidata Kitchen Countertop Cupboard Organiser, £13.59, Amazon - Buy it now
Set of 3 Malvern Storage Baskets, £25, Next - Buy it now
Bronx Plate Rack, £18, Next - Buy it now
5 Tiered Pan Organiser, £8.29, Maison & White - Buy it now
Glass and Wood Spice Rack, £25.99, Zara - Buy it now
KitchenCraft Natural Elements Glass Storage Jar with Lid and Chalkboard Label, £12.71, Amazon - Buy it now
Small wirework egg basket in Carbon, £18, Garden Trading - Buy it now
Classico stackable pantry basket with label holder, £16, The Store - Buy it now
Set of two fish storage tins, £6.95, Rex London - Buy it now
Natural Elements acacia wood egg rack, £18.79, Amazon - Buy it now
