ARTICLE

Steal That Style: 5 Brilliant Butler's Pantries

December 12, 2023 - 3 min read 

It’s official! As a nation, we’re besotted with butler’s pantries. Once a luxury flex for the few, these genius secondary kitchen have become a modern must-have; popping up in everyday Aussie homes, in all shapes and sizes. “What’s more, we’re now seeing butler’s pantries double down to earn their kitchen keep with second major appliances like dishwashers, cooktops, even ovens, to help share the load,” reports Kinsman Kitchens ambassador Alisa Fraser.

“In 2023, we expect that most homeowners with the available space and budget will include a butler’s pantry as an essential item in their design brief,” predicts Alisa. “Especially now that these popular walk-in spaces have evolved to become even more practical and hardworking.”

a white kitchen with red kitchen appliances

Why A Butler’s Pantry?

Do you love to entertain at home? Want your kitchen to look tidy at all times? Never seem to have enough bench space? If you’ve answered yes to any – or all – of the above, a butler’s pantry will change your life!

“A well-planned butler’s pantry lets you close the door on dirty dishes and clutter while you’re entertaining; gives you extra storage for all those small kitchen appliances, such as air fryers and toasters, that you use frequently; and can add real value to your property,” says Alisa Fraser.   

“Butler’s pantries also let you enjoy stress-free meal prep because they create a calmer and more ordered cooking environment. Plus, if you’re cooking something intense, like a curry or stew in a slow cooker, you can simply shut the door to help contain the smell.”

Thinking of adding a butler’s pantry to your new kitchen set-up? Here are some of the hottest looks and trends to pinch for yourself!

“A well-planned butler’s pantry lets you close the door on dirty dishes and clutter while you’re entertaining; gives you extra storage for all those small kitchen appliances … and can add real value to your property.”

Look #1: Bring In A Suite Of Second Appliances

Butler’s pantry in a dark timber veneer with a wall oven and dishwasher.

Butler’s pantries may have started life as nifty nooks off the kitchen where servants could store the silverware, but these days, they can essentially function as another small kitchen in your home!

“Nothing’s worse than being stuck in the kitchen during your own party, frantically washing up dirty glasses and rounding up ice for warm wine. Or running out of oven space when you’re hosting Easter lunch!,” says Alisa Fraser.  

“If you are a frequent entertainer or have a bigger household, having a second dishwasher, oven or bar fridge at your disposal in your butler’s pantry will instantly pay off.”

Shop Pantry-Fit Second Appliances

Fisher & Paykel 60cm Built Under Dishwasher Black

Hisense 125L Bar Fridge

Look #2: Now For Those Benchtop Beauties

Open shelves with pantry items and a Kitchenaid stand mixer on the bench next to a black sink and tap.

Are you the proud owner of a fleet of small appliances too useful and too pretty to stash away? (Looking at you, state-of-the-art coffee machine and stand mixer!). Flaunt them with pride in your new butler’s pantry!

“When designing your dream butler’s pantry, think carefully about your daily routine and cooking habits so you know which small appliances to prioritise and how much bench space you need to display them,” advises Alisa Fraser. “And don’t forget to incorporate some deep drawers or extra cupboards to house your other bulky appliances.”

Shop Best Benchtop Appliances

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer Pebble Palm

Sunbeam Chic Breakfast Pack – White

NUTRIBULLET XXL 7 Litre Digital Air Fryer

Look #3: Petrol Blue Is The Hot New Hue!

Butler’s pantry with deep blue cabinetry, integrated dishwasher and benchtop with toaster and Kitchenaid stand mixer.

Does your perfect butler’s pantry have a sliding door to conceal the chaos? Or does it go with the flow as an extension to your main kitchen? Either way, make a stylish splash by choosing cabinetry in a bold on-trend colour, such as petrol blue, set off beautifully with glam gold handles.

Look #4: Get Showy With Open Shelves

Butler’s pantry with mosaic tiled splashback, overhead open shelves, built-in bar fridge and benchtop coffee machine.

Don’t just bring out the ‘fancyware’ for special occasions! Add open cabinets or shelves to your butler’s pantry design so you can keep your favourite bowls, glasses or cocktail shakers on permanent display for year-round festive feels.

Look #5: Got Room For A Sink?

Sleek, modern all-white butler’s pantry with inset sink, brass gooseneck tap and overhead cupboards.

It might sound like a luxury but two separate kitchen sinks is a fast-growing trend in new kitchen designs and renovations. “Having a second sink in your butler’s pantry doubles your clean-up power and does wonders for your kitchen workflow,” says Alisa Fraser. “You can dedicate one sink to dirty dishes and the other to meal prep. Plus, if you’ve got more than one budding home chef under the same roof, it creates two separate work zones so you’re not getting in each other’s way.”

Shop Stylish Sinks And Taps

Hafele Squareline Plus Single Bowl Sink

Franke Sirius Sink

Oliveri Vilo Pull Out Spray Mixer Tap

 

Kitchen reno ready? We’ve got you covered with Kinsman Kitchen showrooms in selected The Good Guys stores! Discover the best design advice, plus must-have cooking appliances and dishwashers for your

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