1
Transform a Tiny Room
Kaitlin Green
Walk through this neutral kitchen into a jewel box butler’s pantry, complete with green cabinets, botanical wallpaper and light wood shelving. Take note from Sunday House Design and skip the door for an open-concept style.
Photo by: Kaitlin Green
2
Organize and Label Food Storage
CHRIS LOVES JULIA
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3
Hang Shelves From the Ceiling
Justin Jordan
Mounted above soft green cabinets, a gold shelving unit provides additional storage space in this modern butler’s pantry. Here, Bethany Adams Interiors fills the wood shelves with food canisters and glassware.
Photo by: J.L. Jordan Photography
4
Rely on Wicker Baskets
Molly Culver
Rather than install cabinet doors, fill the space with wicker baskets for a dose of texture, just as Meredith Owen Interiors does here. This way, you can easily pull out a basket full of supplies or ingredients and bring them into the kitchen as you cook.
Photo by: Molly Culver
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5
Embrace Country Charm
Tidbits & Company
This rustic butler’s pantry is defined by creamy white cabinets, beadboard walls and a plaid sink skirt (perfect for concealing clutter). The functional space is decorated with vintage artwork, which adds to the charm.
See more at Tidbits & Company »
6
Build a “Dirty” Kitchen
Tim Street Porter
Build a secondary kitchen near your primary kitchen. Next time guests come over, you can prep and cook in the “dirty” kitchen, leaving your entertaining area mess-free. Take note from Jeff Andrews Design and find a space with natural light, so you don’t mind spending a lot of time here.
Photo by: Tim Street Porter
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7
Try Two-Tone Cabinets
Avery Nicole Photography
If you’re nervous about painting your kitchen cabinets a bold hue, no worries: the butler’s pantry is lower stakes. Here, Blueberry Jones Design opts for sea foam green around natural wood cabinet doors.
Photo by: Avery Nicole Photography
8
Convert a Blank Wall
Miranda Estes
While most butler’s pantries are located in a separate room, don’t limit yourself. Transform a blank wall in the dining room or beside the kitchen into a functional prep space, like this compact setup by The Residency Bureau.
Photo by: Miranda Estes
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9
Make a Statement With Flooring
Gieves Anderson
You may feel more comfortable sticking to neutrals in the kitchen, but don’t shy away from bold flooring in the butler’s pantry. To complement gray-blue cabinetry and marble countertops, the design teams at JAM and FIG chose patterned floor tiles.
Photo by: Gieves Anderson
10
Add a Rolling Ladder
Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Fill shelves with food storage canisters, baskets of packaged foods and pretty dinnerware. But, install a rolling ladder to ensure you’re able to access those hard-to-reach places on the daily.
Photo by: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
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11
Introduce a High-Gloss Finish
Anice Hoachlander
Go maximalist with a moody paint color in a high-gloss finish, like BarnesVanze Architects does here with cobalt blue cabinets. Try brass hardware for even more personality.
Photo by: Anice Hoachlander
12
Build an Archway
Kelley Kish
Take note from architectural designer Kelly McDougall and build a secondary kitchen beyond your main kitchen. Step through this arched doorway to find extra counter space, a prep sink and open shelving stocked with essentials.
Photo by: Kelley Kish
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13
Play With Pastels
Spacecrafting Photography
Pale blues, greens or pinks can add a cheerful, yet calming pop of color to the butler’s pantry. Take a cue from designer Bria Hammel, who goes for light blue cabinets paired with gold hardware.
Photo by: Spacecrafting Photography
14
Install a Prep Sink
ALLISON CORONA
Making coffee, washing produce and cleaning dishes is much easier when a butler’s pantry is equipped with a prep sink. Designer Kasey Fitzgerald makes this corner space bright to maximize function.
Photo by: Allison Corona
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15
Invest in Small Appliances
Mary Pat Collins
16
Display Glassware and Dinnerware
Kim Cornelison
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17
Create a Prep Station
Stoffer Photography
18
Mix Up Flooring
Dylan Riley Foto
Even if your butler’s pantry is small, it’s the perfect room to go bold with flooring. If the rest of your living space is hardwood, consider classic checkerboard tiles like this look from designer Nikki Lugh.
Photo by: Dylan Riley Foto
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19
Consider Floor-to-Ceiling Storage
Emily Kennedy
Here, designer Kate Marker makes use of vertical space by building shelves all the way to the ceiling. Higher up storage is ideal for infrequently used ingredients or appliances. Just be sure to keep a stepping stool nearby.
Photo by: Emily Kennedy
20
Go Green
MEGHAN BOB
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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