Designing a Butler's Pantry

A dining room is just a dining room without a butler's pantry. A butler's pantry adds depth and purpose to a barely used space. It creates a link to the kitchen and the dining room while providing the space for essential items that would otherwise be far out of reach. It also accentuates the dining room by adding a functional mini-kitchen, perfect for before and after dinner dishes, utensils and appliances. Learn what makes a butler's pantry unique and what you can do to design your own at home.

The Wet Bar

The basics of butler pantry design often includes the use of a wet bar. This space is perfect for dishes, utensils and other dining room/kitchen items that need to be rinsed quickly. When space is at a premium in the kitchen, the wet bar of a butler's pantry allows users to mover freely and unencumbered when the kitchen is full. Many butler's pantries often include a dishwasher in conjunction with a small sink.

When installing a sink, consider installing a deep and wide basin sink versus a two basin sink. You'll save on counter space while still having enough room to rinse off that huge chaffing dish.

The Storage

Another commonly used purpose of the butler's pantry is additional storage space. The finest silverwares, your best china and crystal wine goblets find the perfect home in a butler's pantry. But your storage space doesn't have to be opulent to be functional. Butler's pantries serve to store more than just silverware and dishes. It's a great place to store your smaller appliances like crock pots, chaffing dishes and hot plates, allowing one to easily serve guests in the dining room without creating chaos in the kitchen.

Cabinetry is the biggest part of a butler's pantry and should be treated as such when creating your design. Installing basic cabinets may save you money, but consider exploring the options of installing advanced storage solutions for your cabinetry. You'll save on space in the long run, meaning less cabinets and more money, which just might mean more room for that refrigerated wine rack you've always dreamed of.

The Appliances

Speaking of appliances, many butler's pantry designs often incorporate the use of small refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, heating trays and even wine racks, essentially creating a mini-kitchen. With the addition of heavy appliances comes the addition of power outlets and plumbing fixtures. Before you design your butler's pantry, keep in mind that the power and water needs to be within easy reach, otherwise your budget just might be out of reach.

Just like your kitchen countertop, a butler's pantry should have plenty of outlets for all of your electric kitchen appliances. Make certain you've got all of the outlets you need; otherwise you might be taking unnecessary trips into the kitchen, defeating the purpose of a butler's pantry all together.