We recently had a comment from a client whom we have just finished a kitchen for. Her kitchen houses a fully functional butler’s pantry and she was looking for any suggestions we may have for organizing her pantry in terms of food storage i.e. containers and canisters.So here are our suggestions:
The first thing I would recommend you consider is ‘how’ you want to store your food? There are loads of different options out there….so a good place to start would be to read this article from Homelife on the pro’s and con’s of different types of storage containers i.e. glass / plastic / ceramic / metal etc.
When it comes to storage containers and canisters most would agree that plastic is the most practical solution for these simple reasons:
· clear base so you can see what’s inside
· secure seals ensures food stays fresh
· modular abilities keeps pantry organized
· dishwashers / microwave and freezer safe
· ‘one LID fits all’ – eliminate having a million mix matched lids and containers.
Again when it comes to plastic canisters there are many options out there: Tupperware modular mate containers definitely tick all the boxes; however they are probably not your cheapest option. Decor is another great choice and easily accessible at Kmart, Big W and Bunnings. Another place worth checking out is Howards Storage World. They have a great selection of pantry organisational systems but be aware you will probably leave having purchased more than you set out to get – that place is organisation city). Whilst you are there – check out their OXYPOP range, a contemporary square design, made from BPA free plastic and has a pop button locking mechanism which keeps your food fresh and accessible.
Tupperware Modular Mates and OXYPOP Range from Howards Storage World
Glass jars create a great visual display feature in an open pantry
If you are more aesthetically inclined and want to make a display feature of your butler’s pantry you may want to consider the glass and ceramic options. Obviously cost can be a factor and generally they are not as practical due to the inability to stack them and their tendency to break. Nevertheless they look great on display. It may even be worth considering having just a small quantity of them for display purposes. Colourful foods such as lentils and pastas can look really effective in glass jars as to can creating your own labeling system such as these DIY chalk board labels – a cute (yet practical) idea. Glass and ceramic jars are available from most home wares and/or kitchen specialty stores. If you are looking for a cost effective solution IKEA has some gorgeous jars which are also reasonably priced.
Lastly, one important note I want to touch on which is essential to ensuring your kitchen functions correctly is the need for specific activity zones. By this I mean items that are used in these areas should be stored there – eliminating excess traffic. For example, the cooking zone: all the items used for everyday cooking should be accessible and within easy reach (not stored in the pantry). These include: oils, sauces and spices. To read more on this topic check out Dynamic Space by BLUM .
