What Goes in a Pantry Versus Cabinets: Standard Kitchen Conventions

Between spilled milk, dropped eggs, and oil splashes, kitchens can be messy places. Because of this, from tall kitchen cabinets to pantry cabinets of all sizes, organization is key to staying sane in your kitchen. In this post, we’ll look at some of the conventions around storage and how to figure out what works best for you.

Pantries are a sanctuary of food and supplies. If your kitchen is the main stage, the pantry is the backstage greenroom. Pantries are ideal for items you always need more of and tools you only use once in a while, and they can provide a home for appliances that might otherwise take up countertop space.

Having a pantry is like having a walk-in closet in one of the most high-traffic rooms of your home. It’s perfect for bulk items like bags of flour, sugar, and canned goods, so you can stock up and never worry about running out of the things you always need. Pantries are also the perfect place to put the blender you only use once a month or the ice cream maker you bought on a whim.

When it comes to remodeling a home for resale, a well-organized pantry can be a major selling point. When potential buyers open the pantry door to find a well-thought-out space, complete with shelves of non-perishable items and pretty appliances, it paints a picture of a home where everything has its place.

A pantry can also be a strategic asset. It’s a symbol of abundance and structure and helps buyers imagine themselves as organized chefs. When showing a property, a stocked pantry suggests a lifestyle of convenience and order–values potential buyers place at a high premium.

Cabinets are the building blocks of a kitchen–they’re the face that greets you and your guests every time someone comes into the room. They hold the things you use every day and keep everything within easy reach.

Cabinets are all about accessibility, as they conveniently store your plates, bowls, cups, and the pots and pans you use for every meal. Well-organized cabinets means less time searching for what you need and more time enjoying the cooking process.

Organized and stylish cabinets can significantly boost a property's appeal. They demonstrate practicality and elegance, and because they are the core of the kitchen, their design carries a lot of weight. Simply switching out wood grain cabinets and wood handles for black matte cabinets with brass handles can transform a home.

Cabinets are one of the quickest routes to the efficient use of space. When showcasing a property, well-organized cabinets offer a glimpse into a life of ease and efficiency. They suggest a home where every item has its place, and conjure images of a life free from clutter and wasted time.

Whether you're sprucing up your own kitchen, flipping a house, or revamping a property for business, the secret to a well-organized kitchen lies in understanding the difference between a pantry and a cupboard. 

Pantries are for bulk storage and infrequently used items; cabinets are for daily essentials. Which one is right for you depends on your needs. Kitchens don’t have to be just about cooking–they can be spaces where both food and memories are made.