I have a [very differently] shaped small pantry, and have some thoughts. First, our shelves are wire (Metro-shelving, like in a restaurant kitchen). My DH wanted that because it fits the style of our condo. However, the wire shelves were a pain to move things around on. We've since added plastic liners and now it's great. So, I'd do wood or wire, but if wire, I'd be sure the shelves are lined. If you do wood, you might want to cover them in something that's easily washable. I have plywood wood shelves in my linen closet and used clear Contac paper on those. I also have plywood in a storage area where we store tools, paint and stuff like that and those are unlined.

As for the size, if you really mean 28" wide (when you're facing the pantry, it's 28" left to right?), I don't see how you can fit a U shape. Even if the shelves on the left and right sides were only 6", that would mean the middle (what's left) would only be 16". So at most, I'd do an L, with 4"-6" shelves on one side and 12-14-16-18" shelves on the back (the depth will depend on what you want to put on them. The deeper they are, the harder it is to find small items, but larger items, like appliances or cookie sheets, might need a deeper shelf.

I'm hoping you have your dimensions mixed, because as you list it, it wouldn't be suitable for anything!

Oh my, is it really 54" deep and just 28" wide? If so, confirm, as that'll be a tricky shape to work with!

If it's reversed, and is 28" deep and 54" wide, then I'd do an L with 15" deep shelves across the back and 8-12" deep shelves on one side. The other side I'd leave that little 13" of open wall space to allow for hanging a broom or two or leaning a step stool, etc. Alternatively, if you really don't want any open space on a wall, then go ahead and make it a U with 8-12" shelves on each side.

I have an L shaped pantry with 15" deep shelving (well 24" below counter level and 15" above) on one wall and 12" deep on the other. The deeper shelves are great for cases of water, pop, appliances, etc. The shallower shelves are best for food, as anything deeper than 12" really does make for stuff getting lost behind . . . So, if you're going for mostly food storage, I'd go with mostly 12", but if you will be storing paper towels, cases of water and soda, appliances, etc, then the 15" deep shelves will be just great. Some people like even shallower shelves (more like 8") for canned foods, etc, so if you want that, then you could do that on your short walls, which would also make for less hard-to-access space where your corners of the U (or L) are.

If you've really got a DEEP narrow closet, then I'd first see if there is a way to access the back side of that closet from another room (in which case, split it into two closets!) . . . if not, then I'd likely go for 24" deep rollout drawers/baskets/shelves, and I'd just have to give up the front half of the closet, as I don't think you're getting much there. If you do that, it might be possible to line one of the long side walls with 4" deep "spice rack" type shelves which would be deep enough to keep cans, wine bottles, spices, etc, on . . . Would have to investigate what's available that would allow your roll outs (maybe 22" wide, pushed to one side) and then 4-5" shallow shelves all along one long wall....

Fingers crossed that you reversed your measurements!

So far as materials, I *hate* wire shelving with a passion. I also dislike melamine due to it's typical weakness. I went with 3/4" plywood shelving with a 1x2 trim piece all along the front edges, making for very strong shelving. I painted ours with latex semi gloss paint, but that's mostly because I am overwhelmed with construction and didn't want to deal with oil based paint. If I were doing a one-time project myself, I'd use oil-based semi gloss paint. It wears like iron, so long as you allow the few extra days dry time. FWIW, my latex paint is wearing just fine so far. (I've done oil based on previous book shelves, etc, and, man, it's awesome. Don't believe what they say about modern latex finishes being as tough as oil based. Not true!)

No, I'm stand correct 28" wide 54" deep and 96" tall.
It was used as closet for our outwear but I've build a closet in our mudroom so we are no using as such, but our extra dry goods and cans are in the basement which is painful to keep track of things that is why I want to move pantry in there

Hmmm. That will be tricky! If you are determined, you might be able to get away with 24" really deep shelves across the back (for cases of soda, water, and big baskets/trays to store bulky things. I like the "dish pans" -- big gray things bus boys use --- sold at Sam's cheap . . . Then do 10" deep along one of those long walls. You'd have 18" to slide in to access everything . . . If you're not big people, that could work.

I'd try laying it out with cardboard and see what you and your wife think . . .

Is there any way you can access that closet from the back side? If so, I'd just make it into two reasonably deep closets . . . Floor to ceiling shelving or roll outs on both . . .

No, unfortunately it is not accessible from another side.
Cardboard it a good idea ,I will try
I was thinking 6" wide on the side and 18-24 inches on the back

I have a little pantry that is 30" wide and I can imagine 6" off the side would make it pretty tight, esp. if you want to access bigger things in the back.

Closet turned pantry? I did mine years ago. Mine's 32" wide inside (less at the door of course). I put in 9" shelves down the side and 24" deep ones in the back. Not sure I'd do 24" ones in the back again--the problem is the 9" ones block enough that things bury in the back really really well. 18" might actually work just as well & give me 6" more of the useful 9" deep ones. I've got a box on one that contains all the table linens, etc., that we don't use much--that pulls in & out easily. Top shelf is for trays, etc., that aren't used much; I put tray dividers up there this year & that makes it much easier to use, but there's a blank space behind it. Sometimes I throw the cake cover-thingy (for taking cakes to other people's houses) back there, since that only gets used around Xmas... The side shelves are by FAR the most useful. Do be aware of where you are putting your supports--they'll be in the way of the lower shelf goods, of course. DO measure what you want to put in there. I love that the top shelf is very short to the ceiling, good for lightbulbs & stuff like that. Next one down is cereals & tall bottles. Etc. Sounds like you'll need to go 6" or so--I'd recommend trying out what it's like moving & and out by taping some cardboard up or something, it's certainly a bit narrow from my perspective, but we have a bunch of winter coats hanging on the door and that very much doesn't help.

Oh, and I put 1 shelf just over the closet rod & left it in there so anyone who wants to convert back in the future has a relatively simple job...

One of mine is 41w x 44d, with a 30" door that swings out. I did 12" shelves on the back wall, 8" on the right, and 4" on 3/4 of the left, as well as a few 4" shelves on the back of the door.

Yours is more narrow, so I don't think you can squeeze in a U-shape, but you still have a very usable space. You also have more height than I do, as mine is under a staircase.

I can't find my thread to link, which had a lot of great advice, but I'll attach some photos to give you an idea of what I did with my tiny closet :)

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So, that is standing in the doorway, looking at back and right wall. I prefer wooden shelves for such a small space that stores smaller items. I have a larger pantry off the laundry fro bulk items, where I used chrome wire restaurant shelving instead.

Here is a pic of my 4" shelves along part of the left wall (but I don't think you have room).

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And here is the back of the door :)

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With those dimensions, L shape. How much aisle space do you have in the front of the closet? A pull-out with shelving on both sides would probably give you the best use of the space.

errant, I love your conversion. *sigh* I can only wish for such storage.

Can you post a floorplan?

Sorry if I've confused anyone, but I deleted my pantry photos. Hopefully misha was able to see them first.

If I had my druthers, I would delete all of the personal photos I've ever posted, but Houzz owns them now :(

I think something like this would be a good bet. To maximize the space, you'd probably need to build it yourself. And you'll need really strong hinges - the kind that open 180*.

Also - you may want to nix the center piece, because your opening is so narrow. So it'd be like: 28" door w/ hinges on the right & shelves on the inside. Then, a slightly narrower (25" ?) bookshelf, open on both sides and attached to the wall w/ hinges on the left side. Then, across the back wall of the pantry, normal shelves. Or pull out shelves, or whatever.

But the general idea seems like it would work: shelves on the inside of the door + swing out shelves + normal-depth shelves on the back wall of the closet.

Rev-A-Shelf 57" Swing Out Pantry Kit · More Info

Link to Rev-a-Shelf option