Understairs pantries can serve various purposes, from storage for coats to a cluttered catch-all. However, with the increasing need for organized food storage, the area beneath your staircase is an excellent candidate for a pantry makeover. Let's find a better place for those coats!
We've compiled a collection of under stairs pantry ideas to inspire your design and help you maximize this often-overlooked space.
Creative Under Stairs Pantry Concepts
When planning your under stairs pantry, consider essential services that might be located in this area, such as the electricity meter or the main water stopcock. These must remain accessible, which means your pantry design will need to accommodate them.
Think about how doors and drawers will affect traffic flow in your hallway, particularly if the space is narrow. Customized solutions are often the best way to maximize every inch of awkward space, allowing for smart doors that fit perfectly.
While it's ideal for the pantry to be located near the kitchen, it's not a major issue if it's used for bulk storage. Ingredients that are frequently used should always be kept in the kitchen.
A fantastic approach involves opening up the original hallway, allowing the kitchen to seamlessly flow into this area. The odd-shaped space under the stairs can then be transformed into a series of pantry cupboards or pull-out larder units, keeping your cooking essentials close at hand.
Explore these beautiful under stairs pantry ideas for your next project.
1. Create a Breakfast Station
If your staircase is separate from the kitchen's main activity zone, think about how to utilize that space effectively. Here, a designated breakfast bar and drinks station allows guests and kids to serve themselves safely, while still providing ample pantry storage.
2. Incorporate Pull-Out Units
Pull-out larder units offer an accessible solution in open-concept kitchens. Designer Lisa Robazza crafted this clever set of pantry units for a client downsizing into a smaller home.
'The staircase often becomes a focal point in an open plan room, so it's crucial that whatever you design here is visually appealing. These units feature stylish paneled doors; always enlist a skilled bespoke joiner to ensure a precise fit in such a uniquely shaped area,' Lisa advises.
3. Optimize Vertical Space
Depending on the layout of your stairs, you might be facing an open void from the kitchen. For practicality, ensure easy access to the lower section, while maximizing the tallest part for pantry storage. Use the full height by adding a library ladder for those upper shelves.
4. Design a Wine Collection Area
If you have specific items to store, consider transforming your pantry into a wine room. With custom racks and glass doors to control temperature and humidity, ambient lighting can enhance its appeal.
5. Elevate Your Design
This open-plan apartment designed by Simon Whitehead Architects features a central staircase that provides pantry storage for the kitchen, backed by a media center facing the living area. The kitchen and cabinetry, designed by Roundhouse, includes a movable island, making it a versatile area for gatherings.
6. Embrace Open-Plan Design
Opening up the lower level to expand the kitchen creates a fantastic opportunity to craft a functional hub beneath the stairs.
This layout accommodates an American-style fridge-freezer along with ample cabinets, all conveniently located near an island.
7. Add a Pop of Color
Functionality doesn't mean sacrificing style. Finish the interior with sleek surfaces for shelves and cabinetry. Opt for a bold color to create a delightful surprise, making your pantry a joy to use.
8. Install Glazed Doors
The unique architecture of your home will significantly influence how much functional space you can carve out under the stairs. Where possible, extend this area to enhance storage and accessibility.
Using glazed doors allows natural light to enter, and if it opens directly to the kitchen, it helps to integrate your pantry with the overall space.
9. Maximize Depth
A larger home with a more substantial staircase can offer greater usable space. Custom furniture fits perfectly into tricky corners, and this pantry features cabinetry that matches the kitchen while remaining visible.
'We believe in showcasing the simplicity and beauty of a walk-in pantry with glazed screens, or where space is limited, a half-glazed Georgian door works charm,' says Peter Humphrey, Design Director at Humphrey Munson. Bright and airy with lovely Georgian design, this pantry checks all the boxes for a dream storage space.
10. Utilize Quick-Access Drawers
Maximizing accessibility and space is crucial, especially in compact areas. Drawers provide better visibility and access compared to traditional doors, allowing for more efficient storage.
Transform the entire area or integrate it with a standard tall cupboard or cloakroom if space permits.
11. Make Every Inch Count
Choosing the right pantry door can conceal, reveal, and showcase your items—essential in a compact under stairs pantry.
'With so much accessible space and versatility for food storage, a well-chosen pantry door brings order to even the busiest environments,' explains Tom Howley, Design Director of the eponymous kitchen brand.
The primary function of pantries is to optimize kitchen storage, so ensure you utilize as much space as possible, even on your doors. 'From installing spice racks inside the doors to dedicating spots for frequently used appliances, personalized under stairs pantries allow you to tailor your space to your kitchen needs,' adds Howley.
How Can You Use Cupboards Under the Stairs?
Transforming cupboards under the stairs into a pantry is an excellent way to maximize space. If you're curious about how much usable area is ideal for an under stairs pantry, experts recommend considering two key factors.
'Head height and wall space are the two most critical considerations for an under stairs pantry,' advises Peter Humphrey, Design Director at Humphrey Munson.
'If you want a prep area, it should be located where the head height is greatest, so plan the doorway accordingly.'
What's the Best Way to Organize Under Stairs Space?
Using open shelving, cubby holes, bins on wheels, and racks on the inside of doors can significantly improve the functionality of under stairs spaces.
Pull-out pantry units are also excellent for easy access to stored items, including those tucked in the back, but you'll need bespoke doors to cover these units.
Custom cabinetry not only provides a polished look but also helps you create drawers, shelves, and compartments tailored to the specific items you plan to store.
'Angled cabinets must be crafted to the millimeter for a seamless look,' advises Sofia Bune Strandh, CEO at Sola Kitchens.
'In a renovation scenario, we typically wait until the space is entirely finished, plastered, and painted to get the most accurate measurements.'
What Other Features Do You Need?
What else might you need in your pantry? Adequate lighting is crucial and should be planned early in the process before any fitted furniture is installed.
'This area can be poorly lit, so bright task lighting is essential for visibility,' says Jane Powell, designer at Roundhouse.
'For a pantry that's visible, gentle illumination from dimmable LED spotlights integrated into open shelving adds a lovely touch,' adds Peter Humphrey.
