Design experts are always thinking about the future, in attempts to predict (and plan for) what will be big. If you talk to a design pro, most will admit that, thanks to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the future of America’s kitchens actually looks a lot different than what they imagined just a few years ago. And now, thanks to the shifting needs of homeowners who continue to work and cook at home, kitchens have been undergoing major changes within the last two years.
“Secret” Built-In Pantries
Forget your ideas about the old stuffy pantry. These days, designers are hiding built-in pantries behind a set of elegant cabinet doors, with the built-in doors often chosen to match the kitchen’s existing cabinetry for a seamless, harmonious look. This kind of “secret” pantry offers a treasure trove of storage shelves and allows both everyday and bulk items to be stored together for easy access to the kitchen.
Rethinking Butler’s Pantries
Traditional pantries are used to store dry goods. In years past, butler’s pantries housed fine china, the family silver, wine glasses, candles and large serving pieces. But today, they’ve become more functional spaces, according to the Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio team. A butler’s pantry might be equipped with an extra sink, workspace for food prep, a microwave or a coffee machine, and it can be used to stage foods before serving them. A butler’s pantry can also serve to connect a kitchen to a dining room.
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