You can always keep other stuff in there. But if you'd rather have 6" more counter, absolutely get it. I've never HAD a pantry--always used uppers and lowers.

Where will you store your small appliances?

If you cook a lot of prepared foods (canned, boxed, etc.) then you probably need more food storage than someone who cooks from scratch. Now spices OTOH, like me you probably don't need a lot of spice storage, just the basics...I'm not a gourmet cook either!

I would be inclined to keep the larger pantry. I like the appearance and practicality of uncluttered counter space and I see it as a real plus to have storage for things you want ready at hand, but not on the counters.

Even if you don't do a lot of from scratch cooking, you can keep serving bowls and baskets for entertaining in there. Canisters, small appliances, kitchen linens, cookbooks, paper towels, foils & wraps, Tupperware...It's hard to think you can ever have too much kitchen storage space.

But if the extra counter space is important to you, now's the time to stand your ground.

You can never have too much space

It's hard to say without knowing where your counterspace is and how it's divided, but I sure wouldn't ever think of 30" of pantry as overkill. Even non-gourmets need a place to keep small appliances, extra ingredients, rolls of papertowels...? Beyond adequate workspace in the necessary areas, I think excess counter is more overrated, but I could always use more pantry space...It can be so flexible if not divided up too much or filled with specialty hardware...Besides the things already mentioned, pantries can hold dishes, extra pots and pans, large or awkward items... But that's my opinion. I like a pantry that's open shelves in order to meet my needs as they arise, and I think 24" could fill quickly.

I agree with everyone else. Keep the pantry at the 30" size for the reasons already mentioned. Also, put an outlet in there for the small appliances. Even if you have no plans to plug anything in right now, you may in the future, and if you're re-doing your kitchen, I assume the electrician is there, so may as well add the pantry outlet to his list. I actually keep my MW in my pantry. I don't particularly like the looks of a MW in my kitchen, and I am not a frequent MW user, so keeping it on a shelf in the pantry was an ideal solution for me.

Okay, I'm keeping the pantry. I'm using an oversized country cupboard at the moment, and I guess if I measured it, it would be about the same size.

Thank you for keeping me sane!

I'm just getting ready to start a kitchen remodel and we have a pantry that is 24" now and I'm increasing it to 30" in the new kitchen. Just the two of us and we are retired but we manage to keep the pantry pretty full as it is. In the future, if you sell, I think the new buyers would like it.

Good decision on keeping the 30", I'll bet down the road you'll relish 'the little bit extra' it provides.

I got a giggle from a few of your comments..not being a "gourmet", "living close to the store" and "only being two" of you. I don't know why it struck me funny.

My many chef, cook & "gourmet" friends, all operate on a pretty streamlined kitchen, items do double (..triple,quadruple)duty. They don't have a gadget to seed a Cucumber- instead they use the tip of a spoon!
I'm single and live down the street from the grocery..I want to spend as little time there as possible.. It makes my head hurt- the parking lot, kids screaming and begging for every item they can, its congested and poorly laid out...I would much rather go to my spacious pantry and pull out exactly what I need. For fresh produce- I will gladly go "producing" as often as needed.

Also, It may just be the two of you- but you're putting great thought (and I'm sure $) into a kitchen redo- that's why you're here! People don't overhaul kitchens on a whim- In the back of your mind, ask Is it possible someone else would appreciate having that for their needs and lifestyle? Sometimes the little things make a big difference.

I think you'll love your new pantry!

I am glad you are keeping the pantry. If you ever sell, I am sure a larger pantry will be very attractive to would-be home buyers as well.