Homeowners and renovators alike are placing walk-in pantries high on their wish list as functionality and practicality make this cost effective kitchen addition too hard to refuse.
The concept of an open plan kitchen design has allowed homeowners to spend more time with family and friends while cooking and entertaining in the home. It also showcased a shift to a more casual lifestyle by not being afraid to expose the reality of “a messy kitchen”.
However as the walls of traditional kitchens have fallen away, others have remained. Walk-in pantries and sculleries have become an integral part of interior design trends due to their ability to accentuate the beauty and simplicity of an open-plan kitchen.
Having some form of closed-off space will always be a kitchen necessity, but whether a person chooses a walk-in pantry or scullery will always come down to two factors: personal preference and budget.
Walk-in pantries
In small to medium sized properties, the demand for walk-in pantries has surged. The idea of the walk-in pantry is to have all of the big, bulky cooking appliances and pantry goods kept out of sight to declutter the kitchen and preserve order in the home’s main living areas.
The average dimensions of walk-in pantries are 2m x 1.4m and usually feature open shelving, ample drawer space and a bench area with additional shelving for storing dry food. Walk-in pantries are a fantastic place to hide various kitchen gadgets such as bread makers, woks, fry pans, slow cookers, toasters, jugs and microwaves.
Naturally, people want storage and increased functionality but without the additional costs of alternative plumbing, windows and extra household appliances that are usually associated with a scullery.
Scullery
If cost is not a factor, a scullery is a perfect option for those wanting to conceal food preparation. Sculleries are essentially just like a miniature kitchen containing a sink and larger household appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and ovens with benchtop space for food preparation and good shelving.
A good-sized scullery comes in around the 3m x 2m mark but if more space is available (around 3m x 3m), installing a double bench top can dramatically improve practicality.
Homeowners, particularly with larger floor plans, can see the benefits of incorporating a scullery into their home not just for meal preparation but also as a place to escape. Sculleries are now being fitted out with windows or sky lights as well as televisions and sound systems so people can totally escape from the rest of the house.
If you would like to discuss scullery vs walk-in pantry for your new home build, speak with one of our Sales Consultants who will be able to talk you through the benefits of each and how it will flow in your home.