deep pantry thoughts

14 years ago

We live in an old house, and have an odd space near the kitchen that we want to use as a pantry of sorts. It's about 3 feet wide by 2 1/2 feet deep. It's 80" tall, but -- here's the kicker -- you have to access it while standing on the stairs. Since space is at a premium in this house, we need to eke out every bit of storage that we can.

What would you store in this space? We're thinking things like bulk paper towels, infrequently used appliances, etc. -- things we don't use daily but still want near the kitchen. Any other ideas?

We do have shallow pantry storage elsewhere (that we use for food items) that is easier to access.

Thanks for your "deep thoughts"!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

willtv
14 years ago
I'm not sure why you can only access this area from the stairs.
Can you post a picture?
hosenemesis
14 years ago
If your things are anything like my things, they will migrate there of their own accord. ie. if you build it, they will come.
Renee
Related Professionals
Natchitoches Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Fargo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Manhattan Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Montréal Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Tuscaloosa Kitchen Remodelers · Savannah Kitchen Remodelers · Plainfield Kitchen Remodelers · Erie Kitchen Remodelers · Lagrange Kitchen Remodelers · Port Saint Lucie Custom Countertops · Richmond Custom Countertops · Sedalia Custom Countertops · Boston Custom Countertops · Fort Collins Custom Countertops · Twin Falls Custom Countertops
elphaba_gw
14 years ago
Does "accessing from the stairs" mean there is no standard pantry door but that you "drop" things in from high up???
desertsteph
14 years ago
yes, I think a pic would help...

anything bulk - exta light bulbs, cans of soda, bottles of water, extra dish soap,dw soap, other cleaning supplies, stash of rags/old towels, canning equip (if you can), large stock pot not often used, holiday trays, containers, dishes...

lots of things - if more room, store things for the bathroom too - tp/kleenex and things like sleeping bag, extra comforters/blankets/pillows...
kngwd
14 years ago
My in-laws have this same situation (I think!). Right off the kitchen, you open a door to go down to the basement. After the 1st 2 steps is a little landing w/a door to the left that opens to a mini-pantry type space. Then the stairs continue on the right.

Anyway, she stores extra canned goods there (it's cool and dark), paper towels, extra beverages, the crock pot, misc pots/pans not used everyday, etc... Very handy!
chompskyd
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the ideas. I'm trying to figure out shelf placement, and trying to be smart about what I put in there so that it doesn't become a black hole.

A pic is below. The (very steep) stairs used to stop before the pantry. We rebuilt the stairs to make them safer, so now they come down and block part of the pantry. I think the top half of the pantry is still useful. I'm not sure about the bottom half.
User
14 years ago
What's on the other side of this space? Does it go higher than the opening?
chompskyd
Original Author
14 years ago
The master closet is on the other side, and we plan to put an access to the bottom half of this space in there. (Alternatively, if the space turns into a black hole, we'll probably wall it off entirely from the kitchen side and use it from the master closet side. But for now, the kitchen storage would be more useful... if it works.)

It goes about a foot higher than the opening.
dianne47
14 years ago
I would use such a space for spare blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, and other items that you don't need to access frequently. It would also be a nice hiding place for kids.
EngineerChic
14 years ago
Lightweight items only, please. It looks a bit tricky to reach into so if you were twisting and reaching to get a KithenAid stand mixer ... Well, my back would not like that (you may be younger and fitter). So, paper towels, cereal, toilet paper, kleenex, Solo cups, etc. Not, say, 50 pound sacks of flour :)
deedles
14 years ago
Don't 'spose you need a dumbwaiter, do you? Looks perfect for that.. hey you could have a big pantry in your basement and then load up the dumbwaiter so you don't have to carry things upstairs! nevermind.