Though once featured almost exclusively in high-end, stately homes of old, like those you might see in period dramas such as Downton Abbey, the butler's pantry is making an impressive comeback, thanks to its versatile style and impressive functionality.
In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about a butler's pantry, from its history to our top tips when creating your own. It's your ultimate guide to a 100-year-old classic in luxury kitchen design.
So, what is a butler's pantry?
Until the 1920s, the butler's pantry was a common feature in homes, especially middle- and upper-class Victorian households and stately homes. After the First World War their popularity quickly declined, with many stately homes being demolished in the wake of a new, postwar financial and social climate.
The butler's pantry was one of several service rooms located near the kitchen, used as a primary work and service area for the house butler – hence the name. Within a butler's pantry, butlers and staff would have access to all the equipment, supplies, and crockery they needed to perform their duties.
In addition to storing fine china, glassware, silverware, linens, and serving dishes, a butler's pantry was also used to complete tasks away from the main kitchen, from final meal preparation to making alcoholic drinks.
Therefore, butler's pantries acted as a transitional, functional space separating formal dining areas from the kitchen and service zones. As a secondary kitchen space, this meant preparation of food and drinks could be kept out of sight from guests, leaving the homeowner to entertain without interruption.
What's the difference between a butler's pantry and a regular pantry?
To answer this question, it's easier to begin with a regular pantry, which is simply an additional storage space used to store dry goods (pasta, rice, grains), canned goods, and drinks.
A walk-in pantry is, as the name suggests, often a single walk-in storage room – not a transitional room that passes through from the kitchen to the dining room. So although helpful, a walk-in pantry is limited in terms of what it can be used for.
A butler's pantry, on the other hand, is a much more functional space and often features a sink. As such, they can be used for food storage as well as a preparation space for food and drinks.
Versatile style: butler pantries and the modern home
It's this versatility – combining extra storage, improved functionality, and style – that has made butler's pantries a must-have for modern homeowners, regardless of their social or financial status...
What are the benefits of a butler's pantry?
Though the name remains, a butler's pantry can be thought of as a scullery (or back kitchen), offering modern homes an additional space alongside the primary kitchen – one that is functional, fashionable, and offers a range of benefits.
Keep the clutter out of sight with extra storage space
As a dedicated space tucked away from the dining area, a butler’s pantry is an ideal space to maximise storage. With ample fitted kitchen cabinets and drawers, it's easy to store and hide dry goods, canned items, utensils, and dishes – or simply use the room as overflow for your main kitchen.
An ideal food prep space – away from family and guests
It’s also a convenient spot for meal prep and cleanup, keeping your primary kitchen pristine, which will come in handy when entertaining guests or having family over. With any unsightly clutter and mess out of sight, you can relax and lean into your most important job for the evening: entertaining!
When dishes accumulate, simply remove them from the dining area and stack in the butler's pantry. It's a job for later... or the spouse!
Upgrade your butler's pantry by adding appliances
Appliances are a great way to maximise the functionality of your pantry. Our latest Celsius Plus All-In-One Pullout HydroTap, featuring a snag-free extendable spray-hose and boiling, sparkling, chilled, and mains hot and cold water functionality, is the perfect companion for your butler's pantry.
Whether you're washing and preparing vegetables, cleaning dishes, or making use of the instant boiling water function for quick cooking, HydroTap gives you everything you need to make entertaining easy.
But HydroTap isn't the only piece of technology you can include in your butler's pantry. It's also an ideal space to house appliances like a microwave oven, dishwasher, wine fridge, or small refrigerator, freeing up valuable counter space and cabinets in your main kitchen.
Butler's pantries are a blank canvas for creativity
A new butler’s pantry is also a great opportunity to get creative. It's a smaller space that can be brought alive with exposed brickwork, patterned wallpaper, and an eclectic mix of glassware and chinaware that would otherwise be hidden from sight in the kitchen.
Because they're hidden away from the main kitchen and dining room, butler's pantries are an ideal place to be bold when it comes to interior design. Some other butler's pantry ideas include incorporating open shelving to display your favourite cookbooks, objet d'art, and DYMO-labelled jars.
It’s also a great spot to create a dedicated coffee station with all your coffee-making essentials, so you can get the most out of your morning brew. For a mix of traditional and modern charm, consider pairing wooden shelves or wicker baskets with high-gloss cabinets.
Alternatively, add a chic home bar complete with Zip Water's HydroTap, the perfect addition to a luxury home bar, providing instant filtered boiling, chilled, and sparkling water at the touch of a button.
How to build a butler's pantry at home
Convinced? Great! If you already have an existing space for a butler’s pantry, then you're in an excellent position to begin planning immediately, either with the help of an interior designer or on your own.
Alternatively, if you're in the process of installing a new kitchen or have plans to renovate your existing one, now is the ideal opportunity to consider adding a butler's pantry into the mix!
However, if a suitable space doesn't already exist, then you'll need to create one. Whether you opt for a straight-line, L-shaped, or U-shaped configuration will depend largely on the available area – so it's best to consult a professional contractor.
Top tips for creating your new butler's pantry
Building a new butler’s pantry doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there are several clever solutions to simplify the process.
For instance, you could repurpose a section of a small hallway; this is an efficient way to utilise existing space without the need to build new partition walls. Similarly, converting an unused closet close to your dining room can be a practical and cost-effective option.
If you’re working with limited dimensions, sliding or pocket doors are an excellent choice for maximising floor space while maintaining easy access to storage. Want the benefits of HydroTap without the space for a sink? No bother – it can be easily installed over a font.
Whether repurposing a small hallway or closet, or designing from scratch, a butler’s pantry is a practical and stylish addition to any modern home.
The butler's pantry: a timeless feature for modern homes
The butler’s pantry has evolved. Once a staple of stately Victorian homes, it's clearly now a stylish and practical addition to modern living. Combining storage, preparation space, and bold design potential, it offers functionality and nostalgic charm.
Discover the HydroTap for home range today and explore how you can upgrade your butler's pantry.