Kitchen Design Details

Pantries, larders or, if you have less space, a section of open shelving is a big kitchen trend and offers the opportunity to display artworks, attractive food items, utensils and crockery.

Low-tech storage options in the kitchen itself or behind glass doors in an adjacent nook is an asset to modern as well as traditional set ups as it provides a great focal point and scope to incorporate additional textures and patterns.

Here is a pick of some of my favourite pantry / larder ideas for your inspiration:

Fin de Siecle Scullery Look par excellence from Berdoulat

Why it’s so good:

Subtle colour play with powder hues outside and greys and blues on the inside.

Black open shelving, showcasing the items on display and timber-panelled walls underlining the vintage look.

A tonal gingham valance along the lower half of the shelving unit. Fabric always softens but this subtle pattern doesn’t take over.

Quirky wall decor, such as a collection of vintage cake moulds can really add to a scheme and add an individual flavour especially if the majority of fittings and fixtures are relatively plain or mass-produced. Think wall art, plates and platters, decorative serving trays, baskets, wall sconces, etc.

Stunning mix of Old and New at Nicky Kehoe: 

Be bold!

Love the reclaimed stone sink fitted in plain cabinetry with dark work top.

The bones of this pantry are beautifully simple and proof that economic joinery design can have amazing impact if the colours and textures within a space are carefully chosen.

Note the traditional brass taps: A modern tap would have also worked here but I love the aged brass and slightly ornate faucet in combination with the minimal work top and wallpaper.

Again, great a choice of fabric for the under sink valance - This would have been a bric a brac find and much cheaper to install than doors to hide pipework and cleaning utensils.

The bright red stool might have only been used for the photo shoot but it’s a reminder that an unexpected pop of colour can elevate a scheme.

Look out for colourful accents when you come to organise your kitchen display.

If your look is monochrome, work with light and dark contrast and try including plants, flowers or fruit.

Edwardian Scullery chic at Jamb:

I adore everything about this picture but want to point out the floor to ceiling tiling behind the shelving unit.

This is a trick to add texture and interest without necessarily adding colour, especially if you have high ceilings. 

Contrast grouting is back and a good idea if the tile itself is flat and white, as in this case.

Note the play of painted timber (door and architrave) and natural wood on work top and shelf.

Consider adding ochre to your palette, as here used for the door and architrave: A colour of lasting appeal, not quite a neutral but working as part of pretty much any scheme and appropriate for modern as well as traditional interiors.

Elaborate display from Stephanie Lynton:

Note how some of the shelving compartments display many of the same items arranged in rows. This can be crockery of course but also bottles of mineral water, tins of olives, etc.

Verdigris, (the shades of oxidised copper) for the shelving is a timeless choice. There have been many beautiful examples of green conservatories to replace the standard black or whites recently and is a beautiful contrast to natural oak and stone flooring.

Let’s look at the strategic repetition of barely-there glass pendants as well as a feature freestanding dresser amidst the painted fitted shelving. I think it’s really important to measure the wow features in one space. These subtle light fittings are just right with the elaborate cabinetry and display in this room.

Shelving in front of windows as shown here might be a great idea if you have dated or less-attractive windows in a section of your kitchen and cannot stretch the budget to upgrade them too smaller pane timber or crittal.

Detail perfection from Matilda Goad:

Where to start?

The trellis-pattern, grasscloth-panelled doors with Matilda’s own brass hardware ooze luxury and would have been the most expensive item on this photo.

Simple shelving and tiling with a black stone worktop and a statement floral pattern valance from Jean Monro.

It is possible that the fabric has been the inspiration for this beautiful and carefully considered colour palette including pinkish creams and deep reds.

The elegant doors and fabric choices are juxtapositioned with an informal display of glass jars and staple household goods such as a vintage bread tin and toaster.