Brilliant Built-In Corner Pantry Ideas For Custom Kitchen Storage

Transforming an overlooked corner into functional kitchen storage space is a brilliant way to maximize your meal prep potential. Built-in corner pantries crafted with custom cabinetry provide an opportunity to gain specialized storage that fits your cooking style and pantry essentials.

A built-in corner pantry allows you to make the most of wasted triangular space. Angled cabinets, clever shelving, and smart organizational systems will upgrade your kitchen's storage capacity and enhance workflow.

Types of Corner Pantries for Kitchens

When considering a new pantry for your kitchen, there are a few common corner pantry configurations to choose from:

Built-In Corner Pantries

Custom built-in pantries are constructed using cabinetry built right into the corner. This allows for maximum utilization of space and a seamless integrated look. Built-ins can be designed around your unique storage needs with specialized features and a custom finish.

Built-in pantries are prized for their storage capacity and custom styling. However, they do require professional installation and tend to be one of the more expensive corner pantry options.

Freestanding Corner Pantries

Freestanding pantries are prefabricated cabinet units designed to tuck neatly into kitchen corners. Offered in a range of sizes and finishes, freestanding pantries are simpler to install than built-ins.

While freestanding units don't maximize space as efficiently as built-ins, they provide an affordable and adaptable corner storage solution.

Concealed Corner Pantries

Concealed corner pantries keep supplies out of sight but within reach. Storage is hidden behind doors disguised as standard kitchen cabinetry. Contents remain easily accessible while the pantry itself blends seamlessly into existing cabinetry.

Concealed pantries are ideal for kitchens with a streamlined, minimalist aesthetic. The discreet design keeps the focus on clean lines versus overt storage.

Open Corner Pantries

Open corner pantries embrace display over concealment. Shelving, racks and bins placed in the open offer unobstructed access to contents. This allows you to highlight organizational systems and frequently-used ingredients.

Visually appealing for tidy cooks, open storage fits best in casual kitchens. Contents will need occasional dusting and clutter checks.

Built-In Corner Pantry Design Ideas

When designing a built-in corner pantry, you'll want cabinetry that fits neatly into the angular space. Here are some common built-in designs perfect for corner storage:

Angled Built-In Pantries

Angled built-in pantries utilize diagonal cabinet faces that seamlessly lineup with corner walls. One side typically maintains a 90-degree perpendicular line while the other side angles to meet it. This creates a V-shaped pantry ideal for fitting into corners.

Angled built-ins can feature shelves, drawers or a mix of both for flexible storage. Door fronts and finishes can be mixed as well for a unique look.

L-Shaped Built-In Pantries

This built-in design places cabinetry along two adjoining walls in an L formation. One side lines up against a kitchen wall, the other fits snugly into the corner. The perpendicular layout maximizes every inch of available space.

L-shaped built-ins can incorporate specialty pull-outs, roll outs and racks to optimize interior storage. They also accommodate larger Lazy Susan turntables within the corner.

Pie Cut Built-In Pantries

As the name implies, pie-cut built-ins utilize cabinetry precisely cut in wedge shapes to fill the corner. Front edges meet to a central point. Shelving and storage aligns with the angled cabinet sides.

The pie-cut approach enables full corner access. This allows for storage options that require room to swing out or rotate, like extra-large lazy susans.

Built-In Corner Pantry Features

Built-in corner pantries allow for customized storage features that slide, spin, and organize. Here are some smart elements to consider when designing your pantry:

Pull-Out Shelves

Mounted on tracks, pull-out shelves grant easy access to items in the back that might otherwise get buried. Different mechanisms like slides, rollers and baskets accommodate everything from spices to pots and pans.

Pull-outs maximize built-in storage space. Look for soft-close hardware for smooth operation.

Lazy Susans

A Lazy Susan is a rotational shelf that makes items in the corner accessible with a simple spin. Great for corner pantries, these spinning trays provide efficient access without requiring door openings.

Look for sturdy, full-circle lazy susans with raised edges optimal for corner installation. Quality ball bearings ensure smooth rotations.

Drawers and Baskets

Drawers create compartmentalized storage ideal for organizing cooking tools, packets and tins. Deep drawers accommodate bulk boxes and bags. Baskets act like removable drawers for fast access to supplies.

Look for drawer cabinets and basket options when designing built-in pantries. Robust wood, metal and high-quality plastic last longest.

Specialty Storage

Take advantage of every inch of corner real estate by incorporating racks, shelves and holders for specialty items. Spice pull-outs, can organizers and tilt-out bins for oils and vinegars maximize vertical storage.

Built-in pantries allow customization of specialty storage options perfectly suited to your kitchenware and pantry essentials.

Customizing Your Built-In Corner Pantry

Built-in pantries should align aesthetically with your kitchen style. Consider these tips for customization:

- Use matching cabinetry finishes and facades to blend the pantry seamlessly into existing cabinetry.

- Incorporate lighting inside the pantry as well as undercabinet lighting to illuminate an open pantry.

- Organizational elements like pull-outs and lazy susans can be designed to match the kitchen or as an accent.

- Budget for specialty organizational elements and quality hardware to maximize functionality.

A built-in corner pantry allows you to transform wasted space into functional storage designed specifically for your kitchen's needs. With custom cabinets, smart shelving and clever organizational elements, corner pantries can become one of the hardest working features in your kitchen.

The right built-in design married with innovative storage options creates a custom pantry perfect for stowing essentials within easy reach.