A walk-in pantry recently ranked a whopping 94% in importance for desired amenities for a home. (National Assoc. of Homebuilders “Home of the Future" study Feb. 2007). So what’s the big deal with having a kitchen pantry all of a sudden? Americans are spending more and need a place to put all their “stuff” – food included.

Thinking about adding a pantry for resell? It’s a no-brainer! Even if you refit a closet out for pantry use, you get to boast on your sale bill “has kitchen with pantry.” You automatically move to the front of the buyer’s list.

Think you don’t have room for a pantry? Think again. Product manufacturers have really stepped up to meet the demand consumers have placed in this market. You might not have the room for a walk-in pantry, but your options are vast.

Consider pantry cabinet kits. It’s one of the easiest improvements you can make to your kitchen. Slide-out kits are available to convert an outdated 24” deep black hole into organizational heaven. Same goes for upper cabinets. The selection for spice racks could make one’s head spin.

Thinking of new kitchen cabinets? You may have been window shopping and viewed some contraptions that are nearly like a Swiss army knife. Consider a 24” deep pantry cabinet where the door itself may have storage, as it opens to reveal more racks that flip out to reveal even more shelf space in the back. These may be wood or wire rack systems. Due to the increased popularity of this type of storage, more kits or pantry shelving systems or units are being sold. The do-it-yourselfer can outfit their own jumbo cabinet.

A lot more roll-out or pull-out base pantry cabinets are making their way onto kitchen cabinet showrooms. It is becoming more common to see 12” units that pull out to see single-spaced items for easy location.

The closet market has made a cross-over to the pantry market. Buyer’s used to be in the closet accessory aisle looking to outfit their cabinet, but the same shelving is being specialized and targeted to closet kitchen pantries.

Here’s one you didn’t think of: open pantries. Yes, right out in the open – and they’re every bit as beautiful as the rest of your kitchen can be.

Don’t forget the walk-in pantry, which is still king. The accessories are an enormous attraction in this arena: pop-can storage, water bottle stacking racks, behind-the-door racks, baskets, vegetable bins, corner racks, pantry towers and the list goes on.

Did I say a pantry saves you money? Actually, in three ways: 1) It allows the homeowner to buy food in bulk when prices are low

2) A well-organized pantry allows you to see your resources and use them wisely 3) A walk-in pantry requires a lesser-investment in kitchen cabinets for both a new kitchen design, or when remodeling is required

Choices and options are what make pantry shopping fun. If you want to see even more choices, visit my website at www.EverythingPantry.com If you are looking for more pantry ideas, we can help. From deciding on what pantry cabinet will fit best into your kitchen pantry design plan, to choosing a pantry door or the best pantry organizer, we cover it all.