[Liz H]

Right now I have a closet with fixed shelves for pantry space - probably the least efficient design around. In the new kitchen I have a space that is 40" wide for pantries. We'll be making two pantries in the space and use IKEA parts for the shelves and pullouts. I'm using IKEA cabs in most of the kitchen already. For the pantries I would have a choice of two configurations - 21" and 18" or 24" and 15". I'm trying to imagine the advantages of each configuration. It occurs to me that with the added efficiency of pullouts, I could probably keep all of my "canned/packaged food to be cooked" in the 24". Then I could use part of the 15" for snacks and part for produce. If I don't try to preconfigure the use of the space, it seems like the 21/18 division would make both sides pretty usable, while with the 24/15 division, the 15" wouldn't be usable for some things.

I'll incorporate some vertical space elsewhere for storing anything really wide, so I don't think I need that in the pantry. I'll be keeping oils, vinegars, spices, baking stuff etc. in the prep island. I'm pretty sure that with either choice I'll have more pantry room than I need!

These are my rambling thoughts on the matter. I'd love to hear your thoughts or experiences.

Also, are there any items for which you prefer baskets to drawers?

[DulcineaK]

i have a 15in pantry (pullout drawers with 153Degree hinges) that i store mostly snacks (and a lot of the kids canned stuff) and i find the drawers big enough to hold types of snacks which is nice. want a granola bar? 2nd drawer hold many types. nuts and stuff like that? 3rd drawer.... you get the point.
i don't think both sides of your pantries need to be able to accommodate the same items, that's the point of having separated spaces.

then again, the 21/18 would work well too...

[DesignDiva]

I agree with Dulci that having a 15" cabinet for those other people would be nice. I have a Billy bookcase that I use as a snack cabinet for the kids and it's great, especially when their friends are over. My half-sheet pans (I have about 10!) fit perfectly on the bottom shelf of the top, and I have my cookie sheets and muffin pans upright in the top area.

Will you have room for doors to open in that area? That would be a deciding factor.

[gwen]

We went from a closet pantry type configuration like yours to a 30" Pantry and 15" Pull-out Pantry. The increased storage space is incredible. We use our 15" Pull-out Pantry for canned goods, snacks, and dry goods like pastas, grains, and cereals. It fits alot and makes it very easy to see everything! The 30" Pantry is better for larger items and those items that I don't need as easy access to.

It really comes down to evaluating what you envision storing in the cabinets and what seems to click with the needs of your family. Either way I think you'll be so happy with the increased storage and accessibility afforded through either cabinet combination.

[Liz H]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback! Right now I'm leaning towards the 24/15 combination. One less important reason is that I think the door sizes may look a bit better. A 21" right next to an 18" might just look off center, while the 24" and 15" look more deliberate. Boy, does that sound silly - I'm not even sure if it's true! At any rate, I want some fairly easy way to remember what's in each pantry, and I think that will be easier with a 24/15 mix.

I will have room for doors. We have one extra inch (40" as opposed to 39".) DH is going to add 1/2" to each cabinet's width, then add 1/2" spacers between the hinged side and the drawer glides. (One door per cabinet.) That way we should be able to pull out the drawers without the doors opening more than 90 degrees. I can't explain this very well, but if he says he can build it, I'm not worried. Fortunately the fridge and freezer on either side of the pantry are vented top and bottom, and need no side clearance.

We don't have any little people to keep fed, just the two of us. Maybe with teenagers I'd want twice the space! As it is, I'll have a 36" all shelves closet for any pantry overflow. So far, all I know I'm keeping in there is a large crockpot and large electric skillet.

If I understand correctly, I can use a mix of drawers and grid baskets inside. Is there anything for which the baskets would be a better choice than the drawers?

[DulcineaK]

i totally see (and agree) about the 21/18 looking "off"

i have a 15in pantry with pull out drawers in it and i installed it flush against a wall. i had to make the 153 degree hinges open away from the wall so that my handle had clearance, but it works for us. i hope this makes sense.... i'll try again the pantry has a wall on the right so the hinges are on the left and the handle on the right. But the door opens flush for all intents and purposes, it's just my pull getting in the way

I'm not quite sure what he's building since the drawers slide out when you use the 153 degree hinges....

As far as basket vs drawer, as i said above, i only use the baskets in the top part of the cabinet so that i didn't have to put the expensive hinges up there, and also i can see from below what is up there. Apart from that i don't recommend baskets for anything, i find the hardware more difficult to deal with since the basket just sort of "sits" on the glide and slips off pretty easily.

i guess the baskets might be better for something that needs more air circulation, like if you were storing your potatoes in there. the drawers are just far superior imo

[Liz H]

Excellent point about using the baskets for potatoes. I knew they had to be good for something!

As for using the 153' hinges, our problem is that there will be a refrigerator and freezer on either side of the pantries. In both cases, either the box itself or the handle stick out further than the pantries, which I think will prevent the pantry doors from taking advantage of the 153' hinges.