I would do the whole wall floor to ceiling cabinetry.

I think this is what the designer is talking about:

IMO the pantry you have now is really useless I would do a wall of pantries, fridge and make the pantries pull out ones a much more functional way to store anything.

do you need more counterspace? I would maybe leave what you have but get wire extenders for one or two areas[ a shelf effect for better canned goods storage] …..But if you want counters.....then she has a point. You could get a better door for what you have....with some frosted glass...hinged.

Is this a full remodel or are you just trying to upgrade the functionality of the existing kitchen? There is a ton of storage in that pantry and you won't have nearly as much space if you replace storage with counter space. That wouldnt be a trade I would make unless it is part of a complete remodel with plenty of storage elsewhere. If that is the case, post your floorplan and ask for ideas for the entire space.

We added a 3rd pantry to make a beautiful wall of pantries. Everything is very accessible. We pulled out a desk that was in the corner.

Get rid of the pantry... Look at all the wasted space there is in between the shelves, and the half depth shelf and all the space at the floor level...You will still have great amounts of storage. Or you can do a smaller cabinet pantry ( 18 or 21" wide ) for the small appliances and things and have the more decorative are next to it....lots of options there!

Of course on the other side - you could fix up the shelving inside the closet so it maximizes the space and then put a really cute pantry door on it with etched glass or a chalkboard!

Good luck!!

is your existing pantry full depth? it seems the back wall comes sooner than the wall of your kitchen. have you checked in the basement for a plumbing chase running up the back or something?

Is there a countertop by the refrigerator?

Could you swap the location of the refrigerator with the cabinet/countertop now left of the pantry?

Can the hall between the refrigerator and the cabinet/countertop left of the pantry be accessed via the dining area?

If so, could you put cabinets/countertop against that wall and in the corner extending your countertop from kitchen sink all the way to the new location of the refrigerator next to the pantry?

Whether you need pantry or counter is something only you can answer. Are your counters crowded? One thing I will say is, if you are redoing the kitchen anyway, even if you need a pantry, do pantry cupboards (others have posted great photos here). Those broom- closets-in-a-kitchen are a builder’s cheap solution (drywall is cheap and forgiving, cabinetry is complex craftsmanship). They take space (framed walls are thick), and they are like elephants parked in the middle of a kitchen, disrupting sight lines and light. It’s akin to a powder room installed in the middle of a dining room, it commands too much attention. If it isn’t so to you, it’s only because you’ve gotten so used to it you don’t see it any more.

I'd either go with a full wall of pantry cabinets or a full wall of cabinets and counter space. Having both on the same wall looks choppy and the counter space looks cramped and too small to be of much use for actual work space. So the question:

Do you need more countertop space? If so go full counter and cabinets. If not, go all pantry cabinets.

And yes, you can easily get as much storage in well designed cabinetry as you can in a pantry. Remember, if you go with the counter space option, the lowers don't have to be all cabinets, you could have some deep drawers in which to keep potatoes and onions.

Is the designer paying enough attention to your functional space needs or are they trying to just get a pretty display piece in your kitchen?

Thanks everyone!! We are renovating not gutting...white shaker upper cabinet doors, possibly navy on the bottom with brushed brass hardware, marble-like quartz countertops and possibly light textured subway tile (still good?). Trying not to disturb the flooring.

I do need the storage space but am encouraged that I can make it work either way. I'm not crazy about a full tall wall of just cabinets, but what about...

?? Moving the refrigerator from it's current location to the pantry wall, with the remaining space a tall pantry with cuter doors. That way there will be 2 tall things together, and provide for a long uninterrupted counter where the frig is currently sitting.

Also would love any comments or brainstorming on any of the above, or new ideas entirely!

Next post will attach photos..

Are you keeping your microhood or replacing with a hood vent? You'll want some drop zone by your fridge. You could reduce the cabinets on that side to 18", add your fridge, and then add an 18" pantry cabinet with rollout shelves to the right of the fridge. That will give you 36" more counter and cabinet space by the stove to take up some of the slack of the reduced cabinets on the fridge wall. A 24" deep extended cabinet over the fridge will come in handy for storing things you don't often use. Be sure to use a fridge panel on the left of the fridge to help it feel more built in as well. Moving the dishwasher to the left of the sink would also let you take advantage of the dead corner with a super susan and add even more storage.

I don't know where else to put the microwave. Perhaps it could go where the fridge is now? I think range hoods look better. I was leaning toward an induction range which needs less venting than gas (ie microwave vent would be enough) and gives a nice smooth look. Where else would you suggest for the microwave?

Very good point about a drop zone for the fridge as well as panel/cabinets above/pantry beside. I'll draw that out and live with it a bit. I guess that means I would always have to get the same size fridge in the future.

I had considered moving the dishwasher- it won't look funny on the end? And then it's a little further from where the dishes live, but not too bad. Also moving it would allow us to get any range we want; currently there is very little space between the open dishwasher door and the range. The super susan would be pretty awesome.

You could always do a smaller counter top microwave. That's what I did when I removed mine over the stove.

What size is your fridge now? Do you anticipate needing anything bigger in the future? I have the same situation and I can't ever anticipate needing anything bigger.

I don't think the dishwasher will look funny on the end. Depending on the size of the corner cabinet, you may be able to move the sink a little to the left and have a drawer base or trash pullout to the left of the dishwasher so it won't be sitting completely on the end. It also would let one person be working at the stove while the other is loading dishes and you won't be in each other's way.

I would also advise you to get as many drawer bases as you can swing budget wise. They allow for so much more storage and are so much easier than reaching down into lower cupboards looking for pots and pans or storage containers. I added all drawer bases to my new kitchen except the trash pullout and a 15" wide cabinet with tray dividers for cookie sheets, etc. I can't believe how much they hold!

FWIW:Don’t get the Samsung induction range! The glass ‘burned’ underneath within 6 weeks and I constantly bump the oven controls off/on while cooking. I love the cooking functions, but the layout of it working parts is terrible and only certified Samsung technicians can work on them.
I would go induction again in a heartbeat, but I would never recommend Samsung.

wow, ok I will look at another...all of them except Samsung and Electrolux are 28+ inches deep which will block the dishwasher door. Neither Samsung nor Electrolux have great reviews.

I do hear that drawers are wonderful and will plan to add them.

maybe I can't see the depth of your pantry correctly from the picture because it looks like it doesn't go all the way to the wall the cabinets are on. So if you take out the pantry aren't you going to have to lose space in whatever is behind it in order for your cabinets to be aligned?

I think your plan to move the fridge is a good one.

I would love a pantry! It’s so hard and cluttered when you have a cabinet as a pantry. You can’t see the food in the back and when you add the glider on the shelf there is less room. I miss my pantry!!!

This is what is in our new house (built in 2006) I think I would prefer upper and lower cabinets so there is more counter space because the refrigerator depth cabinets are just too deep and even though there is a counter close its nice having one right next to the fridge. This picture was while we were still moving in a little cluttered and not the totally white kitchen that's popular now.

Move the dishwasher to the left side of your sink. Then you won't have to worry about it hitting the range.

Do you have a 2D layout of your kitchen with dimensions? (And with doorways labeled)

For the pantry wall, Move deeper items there. By moving fridge, there will be more countertop space right of stove.

I would suggest taking out the pantry closet & put a pantry with pullouts.

For remaining space a countertop with drawer base for landing when taking food out. But if you need more storage, another pantry.

TJ, the pantry back wall does go as deep as the wall, so no lost space.

damiarian, not sure if I can come up with a 2D plan, but I will look for the houseplans today.

I like the trend in comments to move the fridge, and the dishwasher too. I will really have a new kitchen for sure! I'm so appreciative of all of the input!!

I posted earlier about how we turned our desk into a “coffee” bar, appliance storage, pantry. The drawers are so deep and would hold much more than your pantry. The pocket doors are perfect to keep open if using it to actually serve coffee and it can hold the coffee pot (height). The open shelving with lights on top was an added bonus that we love. Hope you’re inspired by some of the ideas posted.

Would not want an induction range. Know more about them before you decide.

Would love an induction range. Know more about them before you decide.

lmmcnitt - Why isn't your coffee pot in your coffee bar?

What did you end up doing?

@jessiflow I love reading whole post and getting a nice after image.

Wow how time flies. We were ready to go forward Feb. 2019 when my mother in law had a stroke. Suddenly the kitchen wasn’t important. Since then we’ve been using lots of energy with her and happy to do so. Finally turning back to kitchen redo. The plan is remove peninsula, install island, move refrig to pantry wall with tall pantry cabinets on either side of refrig. Also we will be removing most of a half wall between the kitchen and family room. Looking to use walnut on the island, white cabinets otherwise, a couple with glass fronts, and a honed Virginia Mist granite for the counters. Although it will still be some time in the making, eventually I will post photos. Thanks for all the helpful comments!

Thanks a lot for the update. Extra time even though because of something traumatic gives you more time to think about major changes. It sounds like a great plan

When you remove the pantry, you might consider extending the cabinets/countertop about a foot less so you could keep one floor to ceiling vertical drawer for a lot of those things that were once kept in the pantry -- boxed goods and/or canned goods or goods you keep in plastic containers. How deep you make the actual drawer would depend upon what you want to store in/on it. The point of having one of these vertical drawers is to permit your food items to be easily visible without standing on your head and moving stuff in front to see what's in back.

You could just have your cabinet maker shrink the width of your existing pantry and invest in one of these metal shelving units:

https://www.wards.com/p/metal-thin-rolling-pantry-646476.html?source=google&code=PLA_Campaign-Computer&medium=inhaus&link=646476&cm_mmc=google--PLA_Campaign-Computer--All+Products--646476&cm_mmca1=ABA&mkwid=sMiLlHado-dc_pcrid_431540256621_pkw__pmt__slid__product_646476_pgrid_32375454496_ptaid_pla-867745611597&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr_GJxMvD6QIVFIrICh2ktA_jEAkYDCABEgJBjfD_BwE

Or you could choose a wooden version of the free standing shelving unit: This one is absent a cabinet:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/604120642/handmade-floating-box-shelves?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-home_and_living-storage_and_organization-shelving&utm_custom1=944d3c0c-df9a-4299-b772-94d6c8670b80&utm_content=go_1843970812_72389341329_346429582286_pla-302897469776_c__604120642&utm_custom2=1843970812&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqePX0anD6QIVAYzICh0tXg-kEAkYBSABEgKVCPD_BwE

Even with a cabinet, you'd probably want a back on the wooden version as well as a front guard to keep items from falling for ward as the vertical drawer is pulled out.

Or could create an actual drawer vertical drawer with drawer hardware ... upper and/or lower) and the height you want, with or without a countertop in between.

Keep the pantry.