When it comes to having enough room to store all your dry goods, small appliances, and kitchen tools, the size of your pantry is crucial. But with so many options for pantry cabinet dimensions–from narrow to deep–how do you ensure you get the storage you need without overcrowding your kitchen? We’ll break down the ideal pantry cabinet widths, heights, depths and more to help you find your perfect fit.
Getting the right pantry cabinet size for your specific kitchen layout and storage needs will make all the difference in creating a functional, organized space.
What Factors Impact Pantry Cabinet Size?
When deciding the best size for your pantry cabinets, there are a few key factors to consider:
Available Floorspace/Kitchen Layout
The amount of floorspace you can dedicate to pantry storage is an obvious limitation. Measure the open wall space or awkward nook you plan to use for your pantry. This will determine the maximum width and depth dimensions available for cabinetry.
In galley or L-shaped kitchens, one common pantry placement is at the end of a run of standard cabinets or appliances. This utilization of unused space can allow for deeper pantry units.
Type of Food Items Being Stored
Consider the primary items you’ll be storing in your pantry for regular access or bulk reserve. Most standard pantries have shelves sized for boxes of dry goods, cans and small appliances. But if you’ll mainly store larger items like big bags of pet food or towering containers of flour, adjust cabinet heights and depths accordingly.
Desired Storage Capacity
Determine how much volume your pantry realistically needs for both everyday use items and overflow stock. A pantry in a small city apartment simply won’t require the same mammoth storage capacity as a household that does big shopping trips or food preparation for extended family.
Ease of Accessibility to Contents
Make sure your pantry layout not only stores everything you need, but allows you to easily put away and retrieve items. Prioritize an organized design with sensible shelf heights and smart placements that prevent constantly fumbling for things in the very back.
Standard Cabinet Sizes
While customization is an option, most pantries utilize standard-sized cabinets and shelves for a simpler install. Factor in these common width, height and depth cabinet dimensions as a starting point when planning your pantry layout.
Typical Pantry Cabinet Widths
When looking at sizing your pantry, the first dimension to evaluate is the width. Here are some of the most common options for pantry cabinet widths:
Narrow Cabinets (12-15 inches)
For pantries tucked into tight spaces, narrower 12 or 15 inch cabinets maximize the storage you can fit. Great for galley kitchens or to flank the sides of a fridge, oven or doorway, these slim cabinets typically have adjustable shelves only.
Standard Width (18-24 inches)
The most popular pantry cabinet width falls into the 18 to 24 inch range. At two feet wide, cabinets in this range have enough space for shelves to hold bulk boxes of goods, small appliances like mixers or slow cookers and front-to-back storage racks. Standard depths and heights pair well with this width.
Wide Cabinets (30-36 inches)
Wider pantry cabinets in the 30, 33 or 36 inch size open up great storage possibilities. From vertical racks for baking sheets, very deep shelves to fit big containers or even integrated drawers for organizing, this pantry width gives you flexibility.
When to Choose Each Width
Consider if you’ll predominantly store dry goods, small appliances, big bulk items or all food and tools. Also factor in if you’ll regularly access certain items or mainly need overflow storage. Match shelf types and specialty add-ons to pantry widths for functionality.
Common Pantry Cabinet Heights
In addition to width, standard pantry cabinet heights typically come in a more narrow range. Here’s an overview:
Standard Height (84-90 inches)
The average height for most pantry cabinets falls between 84 and 90 inches (or 7 to 7 1/2 feet). This gives sufficient vertical storage space for dry goods boxes stacked vertically or small appliances placed on shelves. An 84 inch height is common for standalone cabinet units, while built-in pantry walls often use 90 inch tall units.
Tall Cabinets (up to 96 inches)
Some pantry cabinets come in taller 90 to 96 inch heights. The additional foot or so of space is great for large bulk good containers like big bags of rice or flour that you access less often. Or make use of the full height with a vertical baked good storage rack.
Considerations for Cabinet Height
Make sure the tallest person in your home can comfortably reach top shelves. Standard 84 to 90 inch heights accommodate even tall users. Evaluate if you regularly need step stools to access items up high or if taller cabinets limit accessibility.
Pantry Cabinet Depth Options
Space for all your overstock items doesn’t just come from width and height. The depth you choose for pantry cabinets and shelves also plays a big role.
Shallow Cabinets (16 inches)
Slimmer pantry cabinets around 16 inches deep allow you to maximize storage in a smaller footprint. But you sacrifice some holding capacity for cans, boxes and appliances. Best for pantries focused solely on dry ingredient storage accessed regularly.
Standard Depth (18-20 inches)
The most common pantry cabinet depth falls around 18 inches. This gives enough room for dry good boxes and small appliances while still keeping items within easy reach. For a little more room for large containers or deeper shelves, 20 inch deep cabinets are also popular.
Deep Cabinets (20+ inches)
Some pantry cabinets come in extra-deep sizes like 22 to 24 inches. The additional depth allows for storing more oversize item containers or tall baking racks behind cabinet doors. But it can impede accessibility to items in the back if storage isn’t optimized.
Depth and Accessibility of Contents
Consider the depth carefully in relation to your most-used pantry items. Standard 18 inch depths place contents within easy reach. But hobby bakers may benefit from deeper shelves holding oversize bags of flour and sugar that aren’t constantly accessed.
Other Pantry Cabinet Size Factors
Beyond just the external width, height and depth of the pantry itself, a few other size considerations impact functionality.
Shelves: Number, Position and Style
The number, placement and size of shelves makes a big difference in pantry organization. Most come with 2 to 5 adjustable shelves as standard. Add more shelves spaced closer together to maximize vertical storage. Deeper shelves also increase holding capacity but can reduce accessibility.
Drawers: Benefits for Storage
Incorporate drawer cabinets into your pantry layout for storing loose bulk items or tools. Optimal for frequently-used ingredients and items that otherwise get lost, add drawer stacks sized from 6 to 9 inches high.
Doors: Single vs Double Doors
Pay attention to door type too – single vs double. Double doors ease access to deeper pantries. But for quick grabbing of everyday items, a standard depth pantry with single door works great.
Cabinet Size Recommendations
Now that you know the basic size options and considerations for pantries, applying those to common kitchen layouts simplifies decisions.
Small Kitchens/Limited Space
Make the most of a tight kitchen with narrower 12-18 inch pantry units flanking appliances or the fridge. Adjustable shelves maximize usable space. Add functional elements like a built-in knife block, racks or spice drawers.
Kitchens with Lots of Dry Goods Storage Needed
Utilize wider 24-30 inch pantry cabinets to have ample room for shelving and bulk dry good containers. Incorporate floor-to-ceiling heights with deeper shelves as needed. Install specialty vertical storage solutions.
Kitchens with Large Appliance Storage Required
Size your pantry around housing small appliances like stand mixers, blenders and slow cookers. Allow for 20 inch depths or more for appliance footprints, paired with standard 18-24 inch widths to include racks and drawers too.
Customization Options for Specialized Layouts
Beyond picking a standard width, height and depth, consider customizing your pantry where helpful.
Semi-Custom Sizing
Many cabinet manufacturers offer semi-custom pantries with adjusted dimensions. Specify the exact width, height or depth needed to make the most of your kitchen layout. Optimize harder-to-work-with angles or spaces.
Fully Customized Cabinet Dimensions
To create a fully bespoke walk-in pantry or built-in cabinetry solution, work with designers to customize all elements. From the external cabinet sizes to shelves, racks and functional elements inside, meticulously tailor everything.
Finding your ideal pantry cabinet size is all about maximizing usable storage space for your unique kitchen and needs. Consider the room layout, contents being stored and accessibility along with standard cabinet width, height and depth options. Semi-custom or fully customized sizing takes optimization even further for specialized spaces.
Follow our recommendations for matching common kitchen types–like small spaces or avid home cooks–to practical pantry dimensions. Proper measurement of your available space, an organized layout and incorporating specialty storage solutions lets you effectively use every inch of your new favorite pantry.
Common Pantry Door Sizes:
In addition to the size of the cabinet itself, the size of the doors is also an important consideration. Most pantry doors are available in standard sizes, such as 30 inches by 72 inches (76 cm by 183 cm) or 36 inches by 72 inches (91 cm by 183 cm). However, some custom-made doors may be available in different sizes to fit specific pantry cabinet openings.
The depth of a pantry cabinet is not just about the overall size of the cabinet, but also the depth of the shelves. As mentioned earlier, standard pantry shelves are typically 16 to 20 inches deep (41 to 51 cm), but deeper shelves may be available for taller items. It’s essential to consider the depth of the shelves in relation to the height of the items being stored, as well as the accessibility of those items. For example, if the pantry is located in a tight corner, shelves that are too deep may make it difficult to reach items on the back.
