Is this you?

You love to make entertaining look effortless. You hate having guests see how messy all the preparation is. Not to mention the dirty dishes between courses.

So how can you throw a party and still be the perfect host? Find space someplace between your kitchen and dining area and create a modern-day serving area.

The return of the Butler’s Pantry

Butler’s pantries were popular in the magnificent houses at the turn of the 19th century when the Great Gatsby and his prosperous friends entertained with great flourish. Picture glass-door cabinets to the ceiling in which butlers could store, count, and polish silver, china, and large serving dishes, and that they could keep under lock and key to protect family heirlooms. There are even reports of butlers sleeping in the pantries in order to guard the priceless treasures.

Fast Forward

Today most of us don’t have butlers anymore, but homeowners who love to entertain  – even if somebody else does the cooking – are reconfiguring their homes and adding butler’s pantries that serve as auxiliary storage and prep areas for the cook and wait staff. This trend allow hosts and caterers to keep serving supplies out of sight and worry about clean-up later.

Positioning the Butler’s Pantry

Historically, a butler’s pantry was a room between a kitchen and a formal dining room.

Modern-day butler’s pantries are usually located just off the kitchen and close to the dining area, sometimes with a pass-through window to the dining room. It is still a staging area for food preparation, which necessitates lots of counter space and cabinetry, and, if there is room, a dishwasher, refrigerator, sink, and even wine cooler.  

A Butler’s Pantry – Yes or No?

There are many reasons why this space has re-emerged in so many homes. After all a  butler’s pantry is basically a kitchen within a kitchen. If you entertain often, it can be almost as helpful as – well – having a butler. It provides additional storage space, hides mess, and provides additional luxury to the home. If you’re in need of a unique kitchen upgrade, a butler’s pantry may be just the ticket. 

Whether starting from scratch or redoing an existing pantry, you want to keep the area beautiful, functional, and organized.

  • Coordinate cabinetry and countertops to match your kitchen
  • Choose lighting that is comfortable and complements the pantry’s contents or features
  • Build in elements that echo the comfort, convenience, and character of your home
  • Choose a design that fits your lifestyle, design style, and needs

Whipping up a dedicated butler’s pantry is more challenging than simply converting a nearby room. A butler’s pantry exudes style and embodies solid function. We invite you to consult with one of our design specialists who can present to you myriad examples of ingenious layouts enhanced with stunning design.