These butler pantry ideas will help you with storage, food prep, and messy kitchen tasks.

Werner Straube

Once a luxury of the wealthy,butler’s pantriesare making a comeback in modern homes.

Big or small, these hardworking spaces have huge potential.

Butler pantry with blue cabinet

Credit:Werner Straube

Opposite, a narrow strip of butcher block countertops adds prep-space functionality.

The glass cabinetry front reflects light from the single window, lending an openness to the room.

Here, a muted damask wallpaper adds texture to the space while complimenting the lower, powder blue cabinetry.

kitchen sink with overhead wine glass storage

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Here, a blue lacquer paint compliments a glossy backspace in a monochrome hue.

Chrome hardware adds to the polished look.

Finally, the red-tinted countertop adds warmth and welcome contrast to the cool palette.

Grey butler pantry

Credit:Tria Giovan

In any case, even the smallest of sinks is an addition worth considering.

Galley-Style Butler’s Pantry

This galley-style butler’s pantry offers plenty of serving space.

Upper cabinets are set back from lower cabinets, breakfront style, so as not to hinder the workspace.

Accent wall pantry

Credit:Erin Kunkel

Deep enough to hold glasses, the cabinets showcase frosted glass doors with wire inserts.

The backsplash tile showcases a caramel and white motif.

Cottage Style

Cottage details bring casual style to this U-shape butler’s pantry.

Blue butler pantry

Credit:Erin Kunkel

Finishes include a moss green glaze on cabinets, tongue-and-groove wainscoting on walls, and a stone countertop.

Upper cabinets are open, stocked with all-white serving pieces and table matters.

Far cabinets with windowpane glass fronts hold stemware.

beachy home makeover pantry ladder organization

Credit: Edmund Barr

A small window brings in natural light, brightening the small nook.

A gooseneck faucet conserves space.

Upper cabinets are hand-finished to match the patina of the zinc bar sink.

Neutral butler pantry

Credit:Laurey Glenn

In this space, a mercury glass backdrop makes this space feel as glamorous as it is functional.

Warm brass accents, including a library sconce, make it ideal for morning coffee or cocktail hour.

Add Open Shelving

Jon Jensen

Ample storage and a functional workspace meld in this sun-lit pantry.

Pantry sink

Credit:Lisa Romerein

Floor-to-ceiling open shelves are smartly organized with hosting essentials on one side and food staples on the other.

It’s an ideal spot for a makeshift bar, too.

A pantry door with a glass window is a chance show off the luxurious little space.

gallery-style butlers pantry

Credit: Werner Straube

Here,glossy green tilespaired with deep green open shelving andsimple wainscotinglends an inviting feel to the functional room.

Here, this functional space is disguised by creating faux cabinetry that blends in with the existing kitchen.

Create a Cohesive Look

James Nathan Schroder

This U-shaped pantry doesn’t skimp on the counter space.

cottage style butlers pantry with olive green cabinets

Credit: Jean Allsopp

A sink, plenty of task lighting, and even a knife rack add to the room’s functionality.

The efficiently designed space holds a bar sink, wine fridge, and a rack holding wine glasses above.

So, it’s essential to be clever when carving out storage.

wet bar with white cabinets

Credit: John Gruen

Here, the countertop is the ideal space for an open nook that’s convenient and aesthetically pleasing.

Simply styled cabinets and a tongue-and-groove-paneled backsplash puts the attention on drawer hardware and the silver sink.

Pretty Addition

Modern butler’s pantries are often as pretty as they are functional.

Pantry storage

Credit:Jon Jensen

Here, a barrel-vault ceiling andgleaming white cabinetrywith a thick crown gives pause before segueing into the dining room.

Traditional Butler’s Pantry

Pretty details define this white butler’s pantry.

Diamond shapes on lower cabinets are repeated in crisscross mullions onupper cabinets.

Modern butler pantry

Credit:Nathan Schroder

Other cabinets are open for display.

A wood cornice introduces a beautiful curve.

A window, situated above the sink, follows traditional placement.

Hallway pantry

Credit:Jeff Herr

Historically,windows were placed over sinksso they could draw out steam generated from hot washes.

Lower cabinets offer storage in pullout drawers.

Upper glass front cabinets display glassware.

Pantry with glass door

Credit:Astrid Templier

A wine refrigerator puts the owner’s collection on display.

Deep drawers below are suited to dry storage or extra refrigeration.

Stone surfaces include granite countertops and a warm gray tile diamond-patterned backsplash.

gray cabinets leading to pantry

Credit:Emily Followill

Simple Storage

This butler’s pantry offers cottage character with its wood-bracketed shelves and clean-line cabinetry.

Afarmhouse sinkoffers plenty of room for cleanup while an L-shape countertop provides an area for tasks.

Simple appointments include white tableware and a counter stool.

white pantry cabinets with gray shelves

Credit:James Nathan Schroder

A collection of glass cloches suggests that this space may also be used for tending houseplants.

Choosing open concept shelves, drawers and lower cabinetry will make your cooking and prep easy.

Brighten with Paint

Anthony Masterson

No window?

u shape nook butlers pantry

Credit: Tria Giovan

A coat of warm, sunshine-yellow paint warms up this extended, narrow pantry.

Glass front upper cabinets are wired for spotlights to showcase the contents.

Here, a countertop doubles as a buffet or bar during parties.

Walk-in pantry baskets

Credit:Jay Wilde

Shelves in varying heights display pretty crockery.

Glass paneled doors above store stemware.

Meanwhile, a walk-in pantry usually only contains shelves and cabinets since it is used mainly for storage.

Kitchen pantry

Credit:John Gruen

These pantries are usually 4-6 feet wide.

butlers pantry with dark wood countertops and white cabinets

Credit: Casey Sills

barrel-vault ceiling modern butlers pantry

Credit: Jon Miller

dinnerware storage built in

Credit: Ed Gohlich

Open shelf pantry

Credit:Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Glass-Front Cabinets

Credit: Jeff Herr

dark wood butler’s pantry

Credit: Emily Minton-Redfield

marble kitchen countertop with open shelving

Credit: Helen Norman

Butler pantry with open shelving

Yellow pantry

Credit:Anthony Masterson

kitchen with stainless cabinets

Credit: Werner Straube

built in hutch kitchen cabinet

Credit: Gordon Beall