Do I Need a Butler’s Pantry? Here’s What I Tell Every Client Before We Design One
- Malia Lindeberg
- Oct 25
- 2 min read
If you’re planning a new build or large-scale renovation, you’ve probably asked yourself:
Do I need a butler’s pantry?
Isn’t it just a standard these days?
What else would I even do with that space?
As a cabinetry-first interior designer who works closely with boutique builders, I’ve had this conversation dozens of times. And here's what I can tell you:
A butler’s pantry can be brilliant...........or a total waste of space. The difference comes down to how you actually live.
Do I Need a Butler’s Pantry — Or Just Better Kitchen Storage?
Originally, it was a second prep kitchen, somewhere to cook, clean up, and keep mess out of sight. These days, it often ends up as:
Appliance graveyard
Overflow pantry
Forgotten coffee station
The idea sounds great on the floor plan. But function? That’s where most people trip.
Still Wondering If You Need a Butler’s Pantry? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
1. Are you actually going to use it as a second kitchen?
If you're planning a second oven, sink, and fridge, yes — this space can work really hard for you. But it has to be fully designed and properly integrated from the start. That means:
Plumbing
Power
Ventilation
Clear zoning for movement and access
Otherwise, it’s just expensive open shelving with a door.
2. Will you actually walk into another room to make coffee?
This one’s the clincher. If your morning routine involves a quick kettle and toast while kids fly around the kitchen, are you really going to step into another room for it?
If not, an appliance garage or integrated cabinetry wall might be a better fit.
3. Is your budget better spent on smarter cabinetry?
Instead of building another room, you could:
Design deeper drawers
Integrate waste and recycling
Conceal small appliances
Build out full-height pantry walls with custom internal joinery
Often, that gives clients better access, better flow, and more useable space.
When a butler’s pantry makes sense
Let’s be fair, there are times it’s the right choice. When:
You entertain regularly
You cater for large families
You need space for bulk food prep
You have the square meterage and the budget
Just be sure the space is fully designed, not just tacked on.
The bottom line?
A butler’s pantry should make your kitchen work better — not harder.
If it adds stress, clutter, or confusion, it’s probably not pulling its weight.
Want help planning cabinetry that fits your life?
I specialise in cabinetry-led, builder-aligned design for boutique new builds and large-scale renos in Townsville. If you’re not sure how your kitchen layout is stacking up, we can map it all out before decisions are locked in.
90 minutes. All your questions. Straight answers.
Malia xx
Urban Aspect Build Planning + Interior Design
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