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Understanding the best pantry dimensions for various pantry types is a vital tool to building the most efficient space. From walk-in pantries to small corner pantries, there are so many ways to organize your space that it is difficult to know where to begin.
Designing a pantry from scratch gives you an ideal opportunity to get the most out of your space. You should seek to create an efficient, user optimal, and space effective area at the same time.
We have a few design tips and tricks to help you do just that.
Tips for Determining Pantry Dimensions
Before you decide on your optimal pantry dimensions and design, consider these factors to help you determine which style pantry is right for you.
- Available Space – When you are designing a pantry from scratch, you are often allocating space from the kitchen area to be used for the pantry. Considering your kitchen flow and how much space you can allocate for the pantry is the first step to deciding which type of pantry will suit you and your space.
- Pantry Use – Some people use the pantry just for food storage, while others also want to use the pantry as another prep area, extra appliance storage, or a coffee bar space.
- Budget – Consider your budget. If you have a larger budget, you can fit your pantry out with countertops, cabinets, and hooks. In this case, you will need a larger area to begin.
- People in the Home – If there are many people in your household, you may want a larger pantry area to store extra food and to allow more people into the pantry at one time.
- Location – If possible, try to plan your kitchen pantry near the food prep area. A general rule is within 48 inches for the most efficient kitchen design.
Pantry Dimensions by Type
Pantry dimensions are standard by type, as experts have determined the space needed for efficient and usable panty design.
Average Walk-in Pantry Dimensions
According to the experts, the average walk in pantry size should have at least a width of 5 feet by length of 5 feet. This will offer ample space for shelves (and countertops if you choose) and to ensure a minimum walkway of 36 inches for one person. If there are multiple people who use the pantry at one time, try to ensure a minimum aisle of 44 inches or 60 inches wide for wheelchair access.
With this average pantry size, you can create a U-shaped pantry as this is the most optimal storage shape for this size. This will allow you to have storage on the sides and the back of the pantry while still having ample walking space.
Large Walk-in Pantry Dimensions
A large walk-in pantry is a useful luxury as you can create an extra food prep room or even a coffee station if you have a large floor plan and ample budget. Large kitchen pantry size varies.
Consider a pantry size of 6 -8 feet wide and 6 -8 feet long if your floor plan allows. With these kitchen pantry dimensions you will be able to use custom cabinetry, shelving, and plenty of extra storage.
Small Walk-in Pantry Dimensions
You need at least an area that is 4 feet wide by 4 feet long if you have a small area and still want to create a walk-in pantry. Small pantry dimensions do require you to get more creative with your storage options.
Cabinets along both sides and the back may not be a good option for this space if you want to ensure a minimum walkway of 36 inches. Instead, opt for storage on one side plus along the back wall.
Narrow Walk-in Pantry Dimensions
A narrow rectangular floor space can be turned into an effective pantry. Ensure that there is at least a size that measures 3-4 feet wide and 5-6 feet long for the most efficient narrow pantry size. Use just one side and the area along the back for shelves.
Corner Pantry Dimensions
Corner pantries work well when you have limited floor space in your kitchen.
- Average Corner Pantry Size – A popular corner pantry size measures 48 inches from the back corner along each wall that extends from it. With a pantry shelf depth of 10-12 inches, this will still give you enough space for maneuverability.
- Small Corner Pantry Size – Ensure that you have at least a 45 inch length along each perpendicular wall extending from the corner if you have a small corner that you want to turn into a pantry. Reduce pantry shelf depth to 8- 10 inches.
- Large Corner Pantry Size – Large walk-in corner pantry dimensions range from 5-6 feet from the corner along each perpendicular wall. This pantry size allows you to maximize the shelf depth and allows you to add narrow countertops if you desire.
Reach-in Pantry Dimensions
Some kitchens feature a long narrow area that is located near the kitchen but is not large enough for a narrow walk-in pantry. In this case, a reach-in pantry is a better option for this design. Most reach-in pantries measure around 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep. This type of pantry size may vary, but these standard measurements will give you a good place to start.
Other Pantry Options
In some kitchens, you may not have any separate square footage to use for a distinct pantry space. Instead, you can opt for built-in or free-standing pantry options. Today, cabinet makers build specialty cabinet options that will allow you to make the best possible use of all of your cabinet pantry space.
- Batwing Cabinet – A batwing cabinet is like a French refrigerator door in that it is a double door design that opens in the middle above the bottom cabinets. Manufacturers place small shelves on the backside of the doors so that you can maximize all your available space. Even if you don’t have built-in cabinets, you can utilize behind-the-door shelves for walk-in closet spaces.
- Pull-out Cabinet – Pull-out cabinets feature designs that allow you to pull out the inside shelves of the cabinet. This gives you the ability to utilize even the far back spaces in the cabinet maximizing your cabinet usage.
- Freestanding Cabinet – Rather than use built-in cabinets for a pantry, opt for a freestanding hutch or cabinet. This works well in historic and traditional-style kitchens.
- Corner Cabinets – Corner cabinets are good options to utilize for corner pantries or if you are creating a pantry from built-in cabinets.
There are many design considerations that you need to take into account when designing the ideal pantry. Some of these are shelf size and depth, pantry door style and size.
Pantry Door Size
Pantry door sizes and styles vary according to your pantry type and your design style. You can opt for a hinged door or a barn pantry door. If you use a hinged door, you need to consider an outswing or inswing door. The most common hinged pantry doors are outswing options. You need more floor space in the room outside the pantry for the outswing pantry doors.
- Standard Pantry Door Size – The most typical pantry door width is 24 inches if you are using a single pantry door. Other width options to consider are 28, 30, 32, and 36 inches. Standard door height is 80 inches.
- Double Pantry Door Size – For a large pantry or a reach-in pantry, double doors are optimal. There are no standard double door sizes, but you can find double doors that are 60, 64, and 72 inches wide and 80 inches tall.
- Corner Pantry Door Size – You can use a standard door size for corner pantries, but you will set these doors at a 45-degree angle. Unless you have a large wall space, barn pantry doors are not a good option as there will not be enough adjacent wall space to open the door to the full.
Pantry Shelf Sizes
Determining the number, depth, and arrangement of pantry shelves is one of the most important considerations to optimize your usage.
- Standard Pantry Shelf Depth – Standard pantry shelf depth is 16-20 inches deep. This depth will vary according to the location of the shelf and the overall pantry dimensions. For example, for high shelves, use shelves that are 12 inches deep for easier access. If you have a small pantry size, you can use shelves with a shallower depth in order to maximize your space and walkways. If you have a shelf for spices alone, you will need no more than a 6 inch depth.
- Pantry Shelf Height Options – The height between shelves will vary depending on what you plan to store on them. Leave at least 18-24 inches on the floor before you begin the first shelf. This way, you can store appliances or heavy bulk items on the floor below the first shelf. For the other shelves, consider 18-20 inch height for shelves that house large items, 14-16 inches for cereal boxes, and 6-7 inches for canned goods.
