In 2025, the kitchen pantry has stepped into the spotlight with innovative layouts, high-end finishes, and smart features that bring form and function to the heart of the home. 

Designers and builders are reimagining the space to meet the needs of a modern lifestyle. From discreet walk-ins that tuck seamlessly into open-concept kitchens to integrated tech systems that reduce waste, today’s pantry trends are anything but ordinary. 

Here are some of the top designs and trending ideas shaping the future of kitchen storage, elevating everyday convenience without the need for a full kitchen renovation.

The Evolution of Kitchen Pantries

While the traditional closet kitchen pantry still serves its purpose in today’s layouts, designers have thought outside of the box and created different concepts to balance practicality with visual appeal.

Modern pantries serve as multi-functional spaces that reflect how people cook, entertain, and live today. With the rise of open-concept living and custom cabinetry, pantries can range from concealed walk-ins and sleek pull-outs to open shelving and entire butler’s pantry rooms. 

Top Kitchen Pantry Designs for 2025

As kitchens continue to evolve into highly personalized and efficient spaces, pantry design is keeping pace with bold innovation and refined functionality. This year’s pantry designs reflect the way people truly live and work in the kitchen.

Pull-Out Pantry

Perfect for smaller kitchens, pull-out pantries slide on tracks like a large, vertical drawer. Pull-out pantries are great for storing baking sheets, spices, jars and canned goods or supplies like dish soap, cleaning sprays, trash bags, and paper products.

Typically hidden by the same cabinetry utilized in the rest of the kitchen, pull-out pantries deliver a seamless look throughout the whole space. This pantry style can also have double-sided storage with access to the shelves on both sides for maximum convenience. 

Closet Pantry

Closet pantries are the most common type of pantries that homeowners have, and while they are a traditional design option, they certainly still serve their intended purpose. With a standard swinging or sliding door, closet pantries can utilize a combination of shelves and over-the-door organization for practical kitchen storage.

To maximize these spaces, add adjustable shelving, pull-out baskets, vertical dividers, and labeled compartments. Avoid wire shelving and opt for wood, as this will help create more level shelves, keep things from falling through the gaps and support heavier items. 

Walk-In Pantry

Similar to a closet pantry but just a bit bigger, a walk-in pantry delivers more room for storage and has enough space for homeowners to actually step inside. Walk-in pantries usually have a U- or L-shaped shelving and can feature lower or upper cabinets as well. 

While closet pantries typically store more food-related items, walk-in pantries can be used to store smaller appliances like standing mixers, blenders, toasters or slow cookers. 

Butler’s Pantry

Known as the most luxurious pantry option, a butler’s pantry is a transition space for entertaining and organization. Whether it’s prepping for a big gathering or simply making a cup of coffee in the morning, this space helps keep things out of sight from the main kitchen area. 

While they often include shelves, cabinets and drawers for food-related storage, butler’s pantries can also incorporate larger countertops, sinks, small refrigerators or freezers, microwaves, coffee makers and dishwashers. 

Butler’s pantries also tend to incorporate more aesthetic elements like backsplashes, lighting design and decor, acting as an extension of the kitchen. 

6 Pantry Trends in 2025

Kitchen pantries don’t have to be just your run-of-the-mill food storage solutions if you don’t want them to be. With these six upgrades, you can take your traditional pantry and transform it into an elevated, modern space.  

1. Smart Pantry Technology

Smart technology is making its way into pantries, bringing convenience and efficiency to the next level. From inventory-tracking systems that notify you when food items are low to climate-controlled zones, these features transform how food is stored and accessed. 

Integrated touchscreens or mobile apps can help manage shopping lists, suggest recipes based on what’s inside, and even coordinate with smart fridges.

2. Individual Ice Makers

Stand-alone ice makers have gained popularity in recent years. Whether it’s a countertop ice maker that you can keep in your walk-in pantry or a hidden undercounter ice machine installed in your butler’s pantry, these ice makers elevate any beverage and can be conveniently stored away to save counterspace in your kitchen.

3. Wine Coolers 

Wine coolers are a great way to keep wine and other beverages cool without taking up room in your kitchen refrigerator. 

As long as you have enough floor space and an available outlet, incorporating a wine cooler into your pantry design is simple. While these are usually found in butler’s pantries, these trending solutions can easily be integrated into a walk-in pantry as well. 

4. Appliance Garages

If you’re the type of person who wants to keep countertops clear — even if it’s in your butler’s pantry — an appliance garage might be just the solution you need. These are areas where you can hide your appliances away behind a sliding or retractable door. 

These can be fully customized to hide bigger appliances like air fryers, toaster ovens or coffee machines, or they can stay on the smaller side to keep hand-held gadgets hidden away. 

5. Hidden Pantry Doors

Whether it’s your pull-out pantry door or your closet pantry door, you can actually select a door that matches the rest of your cabinets for a nearly-invisible look. 

Some are even built with a push-to-open system to avoid hardware, delivering a completely seamless panel style. 

6. Hosting Closet Concept

While pantries are historically used to store food-related items, transforming them into a “hosting closet” has become a new trend that’s perfect for those who want to take a less traditional approach to pantry design.

Hosting closets are used to keep all of your hosting supplies centralized in one location. From table cloths and dinnerware to flower vases and holiday decorations, these closets are a fun way to turn your pantry space into something creative and crafty.  

Design Tips for the Perfect Pantry

Designing a kitchen pantry is all about creating a space that feels cohesive, functional, and tailored to the space’s overall personality. Whether you’re working with a compact layout or planning a full walk-in, thoughtful design choices can make all the difference. 

Here are a few key tips to help shape the perfect pantry without a full kitchen renovation.

Optimizing Space in Smaller Kitchens

When square footage is limited, maximizing what you have is everything. Use up your vertical space with floor-to-ceiling shelving or stack storage bins to make the most of shelf space. Consider sliding doors, Lazy Susan turntables, or pull-out pantry drawers that tuck neatly away. 

Wall-mounted racks, corner shelves, and back-of-door organizers also add smart, space-saving storage without crowding the kitchen.

Lighting Solutions for Pantries

Good lighting is essential for both function and ambiance. LED strip lighting under shelves can illuminate hard-to-see corners, while motion-sensor lights offer added convenience for walk-ins or deep pull-outs. 

If the pantry is being used as an extension of the kitchen zone, use lighting to highlight display-worthy items and create a warm glow. Natural light, where possible, adds an extra layer of brightness and freshness to the space.

Color and Material Choices for a Modern Look

Light colors like soft white, taupe, or muted greys can make smaller pantries feel larger, while bold accents like matte black hardware add depth. 

Choose easy-to-clean materials like quartz, laminate, or lacquered wood to combine low maintenance with visual appeal. Mixing textures, such as glass jars with wood shelving, adds dimension while keeping the look contemporary.

Challenges and Considerations for Pantry Trends

While modern pantry trends offer exciting possibilities, they also come with practical challenges that need a little careful planning. From budget constraints to the reality of everyday upkeep, it’s important to balance style with functionality when designing a pantry.

Budget and Space Limitations

High-end finishes, smart technology, and custom cabinetry can add up quickly, so setting a realistic budget is key. Smaller kitchens may also limit how elaborate a pantry can be, requiring creative space-saving solutions. Prioritizing the features that matter most, like storage or accessibility, can help maximize value without compromising your needs.

Maintaining Your Organization Long-Term

An organized pantry looks great on day one, but keeping it that way requires habits and maintenance. Without labeling, categorizing, or corralling small items, clutter will quickly return. Systems that are easy to maintain, like clear bins, pull-out drawers, and open shelving, can make it easier to stay organized over time.

Smart Storage Starts with the Right Partner: Koopman Lumber

Modern kitchen pantry design is about combining smart design with personalized function, whether through innovative storage systems, sustainable materials, or stylish aesthetics. With so many options available, creating the perfect pantry requires the right products and the right guidance.

That’s where Koopman Lumber comes in. Check our Kitchen & Bath page to explore top-quality brands and products tailored to your kitchen needs. Or, stop by one of our Kitchen & Bath design centers to find the best solution for your kitchen project.