Open Or Closed Shelves In Your Butler's Pantry? A Guide

Are you adding a butler's pantry to your kitchen? This modern twist on an old idea provides many homeowners the added space, storage, and entertainment tools they need to enjoy their kitchen even more. But should you outfit your butler's pantry with open or closed shelving? Here are a few indicators to choose one or the other.

Use Closed Shelves for Storage. Some butlers pantries are primarily used as an overflow space for the kitchen. It may house storage for items that aren't used as often or be reserved for using certain types of kitchen tools. Often, such tools and utensils aren't designed for decoration. In this case, you probably want to use closed shelves to keep this storage out of sight. 

Use Open Shelves for Savings. If you're on a budget, open shelves will likely be a good place to save money. Because they're simpler, use fewer materials, and are easier to install, open shelves will nearly always be less expensive than fully enclosed cabinets. 

Use Closed Shelves for Formality. The butler's pantry is often used to present a cleaner, more dignified view of the kitchen when guests are over. By staging things in the butler's pantry, you avoid having to let guests in your chaotic kitchen where the real work is going on. If this elegant, formal appearance is your goal, closed cabinets will present a better view of the space. 

Use Open Shelves for Display. Open shelving is a great way to decorate any part of the kitchen where you want to display your dishes, knick-knacks, or utensils. Depending on what you plan to place in the butler's pantry, you may want to keep things more visible. If you will use it as a wet bar, for instance, open shelves display bottles, bartending equipment, glasses, and other accessories. 

Use Closed Shelves for Safety. A family with lots of little ones or teenagers running around may want to close up the butler's pantry for safety purposes. Some butlers pantries are placed in out-of-the-way spots where few family members go in and out. But others are located in the main access to and from the kitchen. If yours is the latter, you may need to make sure everything is put away and ensure that everything is unlikely to fall or be damaged by rambunctious kids or pets. 

Want more ideas for using open or closed shelves within your new butler's pantry? Start by meeting with a contractor. They can provide more information regarding a kitchen remodeling project.