At Cymru Kitchens, we recently handcrafted an inventive under-stairs pantry for a client in Chepstow as part of their new bespoke kitchen. It was a perfect example of how even modest spaces can be turned into something extraordinary, with thoughtful bespoke joinery and purposeful design.
Here are our five expert tips for designing a pantry that’s both beautiful and built to last:
Tip 1. Rethink What a Pantry Is
When most people think of a pantry, they picture a walk-in larder or a separate utility space. But the truth is, a pantry doesn’t need to be a separate room. It can be a tall cupboard, a bank of drawers, a series of pull-outs, or even a clever reworking of an awkward space under the stairs.
In our recent project, we transformed an under-stairs alcove into a beautifully functional pantry using solid timber shelving, hand-crafted drawers, and painted finishes that matched the rest of the kitchen. Every shelf, corner and cranny was made to work hard, creating a calm, ordered space for daily use.
With a handmade kitchen, the magic lies in tailoring storage to suit your space and lifestyle.
Tip 2. Work Vertically & Zone with Intention
In pantries, every inch counts. Make the most of your space by thinking vertically: use the full height of the wall with adjustable shelves, tall pull-outs, or stacked open baskets.
Even more importantly, zone your pantry with purpose. Group ingredients by how you use them: breakfast items in one section, baking essentials in another, tins and dry goods all together. This not only saves you time when cooking but also helps to reduce waste by keeping everything visible and accessible.
One of our clients in Abergavenny told us their new bespoke pantry unit changed their morning routine. With cereals, teas, and toast-making essentials all grouped together, breakfast became faster and calmer.
Tip 3. Elevate with Materials & Craftsmanship
Your pantry deserves the same level of design care and material quality as the rest of your kitchen. At Cymru Kitchens, we design and handcraft pantries using traditional joinery techniques, natural materials, and finishes that wear beautifully over time.
We favour solid wood for shelving and drawers, dovetail joints for strength and character, and hand-painted finishes that age gracefully with use. In a recent project, we echoed the beading and handle details from the main kitchen cabinetry in the pantry, creating a seamless flow that felt deliberate and elevated.
It’s one of the joys of working with a handmade kitchen company: every detail is crafted just for you.
Tip 4. Include Hidden Power & Lighting
Good design goes beyond the visual. Integrating discreet lighting and hidden power turns your pantry into a truly functional space.
We often include LED strip lighting under shelves to illuminate ingredients and make the space feel warm and welcoming. Built-in sockets are another smart addition, allowing you to tuck away appliances like a toaster, blender or coffee grinder, perfect for keeping your worktops clutter-free.
In our Newport workshop, we design every pantry with these elements in mind, so you can future-proof your kitchen and enhance the way you live in it.
Tip 5. Think Seasonally and Practically
A great pantry adapts with the seasons. Store your everyday essentials such as pasta, rice, snacks and oils within easy reach, and rotate in seasonal items to higher or lower shelves. Preserving jars in the summer, baking trays in winter, picnicware in spring - it all has a place with the right design.
We also love adding a blackboard or cork board inside the pantry door. It’s a simple touch that allows for meal planning, shopping lists, or even seasonal notes and reminders.
This kind of practical, beautiful design is what elevates bespoke kitchens from functional to life-enhancing.
Conclusion: The Pantry As Everyday Luxury
A custom-designed pantry offers more than just extra storage - it brings rhythm and calm to your kitchen and makes everyday tasks more joyful. Whether it’s a dedicated walk-in or a compact corner cupboard, a bespoke pantry deserves the same thoughtful design and fine craftsmanship as the rest of your kitchen.
At Cymru Kitchens, every pantry we build is tailored to your life, designed and handcrafted in our Newport workshop to stand the test of time.
Thinking about your own pantry project?
We’d love to help. At Cymru Kitchens, we design and build bespoke kitchens and interiors using traditional craftsmanship and contemporary thinking, always tailored to your home and how you live.
Newport workshop | Bespoke since 1989
Let’s start planning your dream kitchen today.
