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42 really stylish larder cupboard and pantry ideas for your kitchen
Elevate your kitchen with these desirable storage features.
Larders and pantries are one of the most desired kitchen features in 2024.
The purpose of a pantry or larder is to provide organised storage for food items, making them easily accessible and keeping the kitchen area clutter-free.
'Pantries and larders are beautiful and functional ways of storing essentials, white goods, teas/coffees and even wine,' says William Durrant, owner of Herringbone. 'Both are a great option to hide everything away.'
Whether you're looking to design a walk-in pantry or a smaller pull-out larder, your kitchen designer can help you decide how to fit out your dedicated floor-to-ceiling space with shelving and cupboards to help you store like with like, and cut down on visual clutter.
What's the difference between a larder cupboard and pantry?
Today, the terms 'larder' and 'pantry' are used interchangeably because, after all, they both store food. But there are some differences that we'll outline below.
A larder cupboard is typically a built-in cupboard or cabinet in the kitchen that's easy to reach and ideal for storing dry goods, long-life food and drink. It's a key consideration when deciding on storage solutions for your kitchen design, which is particularly beneficial for those who have a small kitchen. Larders can also be freestanding too, but is often always contained in one cupboard.
'The larder has become a must-have piece in the kitchen, and it makes perfect sense,' says Leisha Norman, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones. 'The great advantage of a larder and its storage capacity is that a kitchen no longer needs to be full of wall cupboards. It frees up entire walls to either be left free or have an attractive piece of artwork, which in turn helps to make it feel less like a kitchen and instead more of a relaxed environment, perfect for open plan living areas.'
For centuries, homes have relied on a dedicated kitchen pantry to store dried goods, pots, pans and jars of produce. Pantries are larger, often held in a small or separate room or a closet. Today's walk-in pantry is highly covetable and requires having more space – this dedicated 'room within a room' is perfect if you have a large household.
'The pantry has a rich and varied history in the home, and I am delighted to see it making a comeback with the ability to be personalised to suit the needs of today's busy families,' says Julia Steadman, commercial director at Brandt Design. 'The advantages of having a walk-in pantry include the ability to keep your store cupboard essentials away from the main work area, which frees up more space for dining, relaxing and more appliances to make life easier.'
Additionally, the breakfast pantry (or 'bi-folding pantry' as it is also known) has been a growing trend in 2024. It's typically a built-in cupboard and so much smaller than a walk-in pantry but the interior space is still expansive, allowing for small appliances like a toaster and kettle, cookbooks, cereal, plus tea and coffee.
From orange to grey and walk-in to curved, browse these versatile larder cupboard and pantry ideas...
Fluted glass doors
Fluted glass, known for its ribbed texture, offers diffused light for privacy. With an elegant finish, we think it's perfect to consider when creating your dream kitchen larder.
• See more from Harvey Jones
Sage green larder
Fresh and muted, this sage green kitchen larder draws upon soft, botanical shades found in the natural world. This breakfast cupboard offers ample space for cereal, tea towels, glassware and wine. Also take note of the bespoke pull-out drawers for optimal storage.
• Sherwood Larder in Sage Green from Benchmarx Kitchens
Classic feel
Blue and white are a brilliant colour pairing. This beautiful walk-in pantry from Harvey Jones combines classic navy blue cabinets with creamy white in the kitchen.
• See more from Harvey Jones
Pretty in pink pantry unit
Pink certainly has a way to make a space feel full of personality. Kitchens can often be a neutral affair in our homes, but this pink pantry from Tom Howley is a lesson in how to do it well. There are three tall cupboards and drawers above – the super smart wine rack, which can be seen through the glass door, is a lovely design detail.
• See more from Tom Howley
A kitchen extension
'Your walk-in pantry should be a natural extension of the kitchen, so when designing it, you should think about its everyday practical requirements, how it will function, and what you will store there,' says Tom Howley, design director of the eponymous kitchen company.
'You should also draw up a list of elements that you may need in the future, ensuring your walk-in pantry has longevity. You might involve more drawers or put an emphasis on shelving, all orderly contained behind doors.'
• See more from Tom Howley
Statement greens
The humble larder cupboard gets an upgrade here. This design from Husk Kitchens, with jade green cupboards and gold handles, is ideal for anyone wanting to make a statement with storage. Every area is utilised here, with the wooden racks on the doors offering space for small tins and jars.
• See more from Husk Kitchens
Practical shelving
A larder cupboard is a highly covetable design feature, particularly for storage seekers. This design from Wren Kitchens has seven shelves, giving you enough space to squeeze in all the essentials and keep it hidden behind closed doors.
• See more from Wren Kitchens
Window films
For a unique idea, why not consider adding a fun window film to your kitchen pantry doors? These vegetable films from Purlfrost are perfect for a kitchen and can be ordered transparent within a frosted background, or in a colour of your choice.
• See more from Purlfrost
An open display
A pantry can provide the answer to all your storage woes, but not everything has to be behind closed doors. Where shelves are on display, think about the best way to group or corral vegetables, cereals and spices.
• See more from B&M
Dramatic reds
This red pantry from Herringbone will tempt you to ditch conventional coloured cabinetry. Offering a grown-up approach to kitchen design, it has been complemented by brass handles and marvellous marble worktops.
• See more from Herringbone
Create a utility space
No space is too small if you plan it carefully. We love this utility/larder design, which is perfect for storing cleaning supplies and drying laundry. Make room for a washing machine and tumble dryer to free up your busy kitchen.
• See more from Harvey Jones
The bifold pantry
This design has all the makings of the aforementioned breakfast pantry, where you can store your coffee machine, tea bags, and mugs and bowls.
'Consider bifold doors so when the unit is in use and the family are in and out during the time of use, the doors are half the size and can sit nicely over the worktop in front,' suggests William Durrant from Herringbone.
• See more from Searle & Taylor
Paint continuity
'To retain cohesion paint your pantry in the same colour as your existing cabinets, or to create more of a contrast add a pop of colour,' says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr. 'Painting your pantry in a different shade will act as a focal point whilst adding depth and interest to the space.'
• See more from Olive & Barr
A pop of colour
Beautiful to look at and practical to use, elevate your kitchen space with this colourful, tall larder cupboard. Opt for zesty orange to brighten a neutral space.
Each shelf has a purpose here and spice racks are attached to the doors to maximise space. 'A well-organised kitchen pantry is not only pleasing on the eye, but will allow you to shop smarter and prevent from unnecessary rummaging in attempt to reach the long lost herbs stuck at the back of the cupboard,' say interior designers Jenna and Mariana from Interior Fox.
• See more from Harvey Jones
READ MORE: 7 bold and beautiful kitchen colour ideas
Built-in appeal
The benefit of a built-in larder cupboard is definitely its sleek, stylish appeal.
'Ideal for filling an awkward space, these tall units are perfect for smaller kitchens as they use all of the available wall space while enhancing storage,' explains Al. 'A pantry can remove the need for upper cabinetry, allowing the light to flow through the space, opening up the possibility of open shelving instead.'
• See more from Olive & Barr
Fashionable tiles
Lucky enough to have your very own walk-in pantry? We love how this small room is a pocket oof design inspiration thanks to the blue and white tiles which start on the floor and work all the way up the wall. The combination of shelves, drawers and work surface space, plus strip lighting, creates all the functionality you'll need.
• See more from Wood Works Brighton
Task lighting
In a stylish sage green hue, this kitchen looks like something you might scroll past on Instagram. The practical kitchen larder unit — with pull-out drawers and wooden shelves – is ideal for displaying jars, tins and small kitchen appliances. It's important to highlight the use of lighting here. Under shelf lighting makes it easier to perform tasks and gives more visibility of what's on the shelves at night.
• See more from Brayer Design
Design details
In a deep navy, this pantry cupboard/home bar is sure to wow guests popping over for drinks. Whether you're storing bottles, books or crystal glasses, it's the perfect nook for keeping everything neat and tidy. We especially love the mirrored backdrop to the wine rack. Cocktail night, anyone?
• See more from the Country Living Kitchens at Homebase
Black door frames
This striking walk-in pantry has sleek grey cabinets and wooden shelves, providing plenty of storage space. The highlight here is the glass door with black frames, which helps to zone and divide the pantry from the kitchen.
• See more from Kin by Mowlem
The sliding door
Here's more reeded glass but this time as a sliding door. This walk-in pantry offers an element of privacy and perfectly balances being part of the kitchen, whilst also being its own room.
• See more from Mowlem & Co
Lisa Joyner is the Senior Digital Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
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