We have a very similar pantry space. We put in shelving almost to the ceiling as in the picture and I keep a small stool near the door so I can easily reach items on the top shelves. There's about a 1.5 foot space from the floor before the shelving begins for tall items.

If you have a The Container Store near you, talk to them about a design. Brainstorm at least three configurations before you make a decision. I have a feeling that there might be a way to get more use out of that narrow end.

@Kicksychick How deep are your shelves? We were thinking 15” at the deepest (counter level and below) and some narrower ones above.

@Nancy R z5 Chicagoland No Container Store nearby, unfortunately! I know Home Depot / Canadian Tire carry diy shelving lines, I wonder whether they offer design suggestions...

The pantry layout would greatly improve if you switch to a pocket door in the hallway from the garage....this will give you another interior wall for the most useful narrow shelving ...no swinging door to contend with...the ability to leave the door open when in use..as it will be out of view at the entry...

Thank you, @BeverlyFLADeziner. My father is able to construct the shelving, so it can all be customized.

The layout you’ve shown is what we had in mind. I was also thinking of a tall cabinet like your 2nd inspiration picture for their appliances (as shown in blue), but my concern is creating a narrow acute-angle corner that just collects dust (red). Would it be a waste to close the red section off to make everything squared?

Our shelves are 20" and 16" deep and although our space has a similar shape, it's smaller than your space. I find the 20" shelves a little too deep, smaller items tend to get lost or hard to find.

Yes to squaring things off.

No to additional pocket doors. I’ve never seen so many pocket doors-per-square-foot in my life!

Re: appliance section; the vertical panels would benefit from 35mm holes (for shelf support pins) which allows for finer adjustment of shelving space. Yes to blocking off the tiny red section. Avoid wire shelves, one "spill or burst" becomes a nightmare. Love my "can racks", the self depth required varies among manufacturers.

CH, you dould square it off. Nothing lost. Cubes for appliances look like a great idea. Make sure dad buys the prefinished material and the right blade to cut it so it doesn't splinter.

@scottie mom Haha they are clearly enamoured with their pocket doors! I think the only swing doors in the house are the entrances, front closet, and the door to the in-law suite. I find them kind of finicky myself, tho I understand the appeal.

@chiflipper Good thinking on adjustability. Tell me more about your can racks! My mother saw this wire shelf “hack” on Pinterest and was very keen on it.

These are so helpful, especially when you purchase "multiples" of the same item. As cautioned, the shelf depth requirements vary (mine require a 16" deep shelf). Pay particular attention to the enclosed picture assembly instructions. If done correctly no tools or bending of the components is necessary.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-3-Tier-Can-Organizer/280092817?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=1114&adid=22222222227133960892&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=242015378377&wl4=aud-566049426865:pla-396453663802&wl5=9026023&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=280092817&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-uit78aJ5gIVB9bACh2qYwlzEAQYAiABEgJZXfD_BwE

Would start the shelves on the 28.75" wall and just make the far end of the board pointed.

If your pantry door has hinges and opens out, put shallow shelves on the back of your pantry door for more storage space.

If you have a different kind of pantry door, you might put shallow shelves between the studs within the 61.75" wall for spices as well as narrow container items such as mustard and ketchup and steak sauce and BBQ sauce and salad dressing -- items that usually fit in the refrigerator door once opened.

For "countertop" space within the pantry, simply make the lower shelves as deep as possible up until countertop height, leave more space between the "countertop" shelf and the shelf above it and make the shelves above it more shallow -- like a row of kitchen cabinets -- think ... butler's pantry, but not necessarily with doors over the shelves:

http://www.abd-ltd.com/news/a-convenient-addition-to-your-home-the-butlers-pantry/

@suezbell Is this what you mean about making the ends of the shelves pointed? I came up with this sketch last night when playing around with it.

That could work, with an angled cut on both ends; however,

If using thick plywood, you could draw a straight vertical line on your plan from the "6" (in 61 .75") down and create a much deeper countertop/shelf in the top left corner, then mirror that angle for the upper shelves as well. There is a thick smooth oak plywood that (with a bit more sanding and some polyurethane and edge trim board that is supported behind it with another trim board flat on the underside of the plywood) can be used to create an attractive but relatively inexpensive countertop in a pantry rather than using the more expensive kitchen countertop for that.

As you decide if you want the deeper corner shelves consider whether or not you want to have room for an ice chest or to roll in a small cabinet (perhaps for potato/onion storage) with its own countertop into the pantry, rolling it out as is needed. Or you could use Wider "built boards".

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Neu-Home-Natural-Kitchen-Cart-with-Baskets-34122W-1/204073409?mtc=Shopping-BA-F_HDH-G-D29B-29_29_HOUSEWARES-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-Kitchen_Org&cm_mmc=Shopping-BA-F_HDH-G-D29B-29_29_HOUSEWARES-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-Kitchen_Org-71700000053156028-58700005102355539-92700046592911984&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw5Dqn-2Q5gIVjJ-zCh3JvgCPEAQYAiABEgKXRvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/igloo-latitude-60-quart-rolling-cooler-18igla60qrtlttdrlodr/18igla60qrtlttdrlodr?sku=19690490&camp=CSE:DSG_92700049181269011_pla_pla-832053550495&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI86jf-u2Q5gIVBKSzCh1KzQ9uEAQYASABEgKGPPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds