What is a Butler’s Pantry?
A butler’s pantry, also known as a scullery, is a functional space typically located between the kitchen and dining room. It’s used for a variety of purposes like a meal prep and clean up area, a staging area for serving meals and storage space. Once the mainstay of large, stately homes, the butler’s pantry has found widespread popularity for its practicality and multi-functional use.
1. Contemporary Coordinates
Go for coordination when you match the butler’s pantry to elements in the kitchen or dining room, as shown
above. Butler’s pantry cabinets are a feature in this space, and the matching navy cabinets with silver hardware in this small pantry creates cohesion. The addition of attractive blue and white wallpaper makes it feel like a separate space. Adding a single task light above lends a touch of elegance without being too much for the small space.
2. Open Shelving With a Classic Look
3. In Your Line of Sight
Who says you need to keep the staging and storage area out of sight? Go against the grain and try a distinctive look while keeping the area functional. The classic white cabinets create a standout look and keep everything you need nearby by integrating elements of a butler’s pantry into the living space.
4. A Twist on the Butler’s Pantry
Here’s a butler’s pantry with a twist. Use a built-in cupboard as a stand-in for a traditional butler’s pantry. This crisp white cupboard takes on an alternate role and still gets the job done. Keeping it well-stocked means it’s not just functional but you can also simply close the doors and everything is out of sight.
5. Put That Empty Space to Good Use
Who says you need a hallway to make it a butler’s pantry? Turn a corner of your kitchen into a custom butler’s pantry. This attractive deep blue hutch with gold hardware and floor to ceiling cabinets make a bold statement and extends the modern vibe of the kitchen. It’s your go-to coffee center, cocktail station, a space to store items and more.
6. Rustic and Earthy
Floor to ceiling earthy, rustic tones bring a country feel to a modern kitchen. Earthenware, succulents and various dishware accent the exposed cabinet shelves, while cutlery, fine china, tapestries and more are hidden away in the drawers.
7. Get Baking
Make your butler’s pantry super functional by adding an oven or two. Here, double ovens are incorporated into the design along with lots of storage space. Crown moulding is a classy and attractive addition at the top of each cabinet.
A Butler's Pantry Without Limitations
When stocking a butler's pantry, think about the non-traditional items you can store.
- Many butler's pantries have sinks. This is especially helpful if there's plumbing in or near the sink.
- Task lighting, like undercabinet lighting, is helpful in a butler’s pantry. Which areas could use more light? If it's in a small space, be mindful of the bulb's brightness.
- Store items like blenders, slow cookers and other small appliances.
- A microwave (countertop, built-in, etc.) is another great appliance to have in your butler's pantry.
- If space allows, a mini-fridge takes some of the pressure off of your kitchen refrigerator.
- If its cocktails you desire, keep the butler’s pantry stocked with common barware and accessories like a wine opener (electric or manual), shaker and strainer, jiggers, alcohol and drinkware (cocktail glasses, shot glasses, champagne flutes, etc.).
- Space permitting, a small wine cooler will keep cold beverages at your fingertips.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Butler’s Pantry
Still have questions about a butler’s pantry? These answers to frequently asked questions may help.
What is the Difference Between a Pantry and a Butler's Pantry?
A pantry is a walk-in space much like a closet that stores dry goods. It’s typically in the kitchen or right off the kitchen. A butler’s pantry is a transition space, a storage space for serveware and barware, a staging area and a space for meal prep. Traditionally, it’s located between the kitchen and dining room.
What Should Be in a Butler's Pantry?
Traditionally, a butler’s pantry was so named because it was where the butler stored silver, china and other serveware. Today, the butler’s pantry is used to store a whole host of kitchen and dining items, including small appliances, table linens and oversized platters. If space allows, a microwave, a small sink or refrigerator works in a butler’s pantry as well.
What is the Point of a Butler's Pantry?
The butler’s pantry is a place to store assorted items for entertaining and keeping everything within easy reach. It makes a great staging area during parties and frees up the kitchen, where guests tend to gather.
Should a Butler's Pantry Have a Door?
While a door isn’t necessary, it helps to obscure the space during entertaining, if needed. However, if it’s a really small space, having a door may make the space feel more closed off.
Does a Butler's Pantry Need a Window?
Although ideal, a butler’s pantry doesn’t need a window. If you’re able to create a butler’s pantry with a window, it would be helpful for lighting. In the absence of a window, use task lighting, undercounter strip lights or overhead lighting to illuminate the work surface.