Pantries & Breakfast Larders
Bespoke pantries and traditional larder cupboards designed to suit your kitchen and your lifestyle. From tall, double-door units with door racks and dedicated bread and cake drawers, to modern pocket-door cupboards equipped with the latest kitchen gadgets, each pantry is crafted for maximum practicality with a beautifully considered aesthetic.
Choosing Between Pocket Doors and Conventional Doors for Your Pantry or Breakfast Larder
When starting the design for your pantry cupboard or breakfast larder, one of the first decisions to consider is whether to opt for pocket doors or conventional doors, either on modern soft-close hinges or classic butt hinges. Each option offers unique benefits and influences both the look and function of your bespoke kitchen.
Pocket Doors: A Seamless, Contemporary Solution
Pocket doors are still a relatively new innovation in kitchen design and can vary in cost and quality. They slide effortlessly into discreet cavities within the cabinet sides, allowing you full, unobstructed access to your pantry shelves, worktop appliances, or breakfast station. This design not only makes practical use of the space but also transforms the larder into a striking feature when open.
At Anna Clare Bespoke, we’ve found the Salice pocket door system to be the most reliable for consistent, smooth operation, though models by Hawa and Blum also perform exceptionally well. While pocket doors often come with a higher initial investment, paying a little more is worthwhile in the long run for their durability and premium feel.
Advantages of Pocket Doors:
- Full visibility and access to the entire cupboard interior.
- Create an elegant, open display when entertaining.
- Clean, streamlined look when closed.
Considerations:
- Can require extra cabinet depth to accommodate retracted doors.
- Slightly higher installation costs.
- Reduced cabinet width to allow for the mechanism
Conventional Doors: Timeless Style with Clever Storage
Conventional doors remain a popular choice, especially when maximising usable space is essential. Because you don’t need to reserve space to retract the doors, you gain over 100mm of additional depth inside your cupboard, a valuable advantage in compact kitchens.
Another benefit is the option to add door racks or spice shelves to the back of the doors themselves, bringing extra charm and clever storage to your design. In a traditional kitchen, there’s something wonderfully classic about opening a pair of well-crafted doors to reveal a beautifully organised pantry.
Adding 170-degree hinges is also a great touch to improve accessibility, allowing the doors to open wider and making it easier to reach every shelf without obstruction.
Advantages of Conventional Doors:
- No need for extra cabinet depth.
- More cost-effective hardware and installation.
- Opportunity to add internal racks or hooks for extra storage.
Considerations:
- Doors may obstruct the kitchen walkway when open.
- Less of a seamless visual compared to pocket doors.
Which Is Right for You?
Whether you prefer the contemporary flexibility of pocket doors or the heritage appeal of conventional larder doors, both solutions can be tailored to suit your lifestyle, kitchen layout, and design preferences.
If you’d like expert advice on designing your bespoke kitchen pantry or breakfast larder, we’re here to help. At Anna Clare Bespoke, we specialise in creating handcrafted cabinetry that balances beauty and practicality, down to the finest detail.
Drawer Packs: Functional Storage That Complements Your Kitchen Style
In any well-designed larder or pantry cupboard, a drawer pack is an invaluable addition, bringing organised storage and easy access to everyday essentials. The choice of drawer configuration is often inspired by the overall style of your kitchen, allowing you to create a cohesive, beautifully considered look.
In a modern or contemporary kitchen, the emphasis is usually on clean lines and simplicity. Here, a sleek drawer pack with flat-fronted drawers and a finger-pull gap rather than handles creates an understated, streamlined effect. Soft-close runners and minimal detailing keep the space feeling calm and clutter-free.
Our Favourite Contemporary Drawer packs.
Three Equal Medium
Size Drawers
Three Graduated drawers
Split Areas
Mix & Match
The Equal Glass
Fronted Drawers
For a traditional kitchen, a framed drawer pack is a timeless favourite. Solid oak dovetailed drawers sit within a classic frame, often paired with cup handles or turned knobs for a heritage feel. Beneath the drawers, you might incorporate open shelving with vegetable baskets, offering a practical and attractive way to store fresh produce within easy reach. This design not only feels authentic but adds character and warmth to your larder.
Our Favourite Traditional Drawer packs.
Three Full Height Drawer with scallop handle
Framed drawer with vegetable pull outs
Merchant Chest Style Drawers
Framed drawers with open shelving
Ultimately, the best drawer pack is one tailored to how you use your kitchen. Whether you prefer to keep baking supplies neatly hidden, snacks easily accessible, or cookware within arm’s reach, your drawer configuration can be customised to suit your lifestyle perfectly.
Benefits of Adding a Drawer Pack to Your Larder:
- Keeps items organised and accessible.
- Allows you to separate dry goods, utensils, or tableware.
- Can be tailored to complement traditional or modern cabinetry.
- Adds visual interest and personal detail.
At Anna Clare Bespoke, we’ll guide you through every option, from classic framed drawers to contemporary finger-pull designs, ensuring your larder is both practical and beautifully integrated into your kitchen.
Pantry Shelving: Tailored Storage for Everyday Living
When it comes to designing your pantry cupboard or breakfast larder, the shelving layout is one of the most important considerations. The right combination of fixed and adjustable shelves makes all the difference to how efficiently you can use the space and how enjoyable it is to access your everyday essentials.
The most popular option is to install a fixed shelf at approximately 550mm above the worktop. This allows for a generous, usable countertop while still leaving plenty of height to accommodate most coffee machines, toasters, or small appliances. It’s a practical solution that helps keep your worktop clear and ready for daily use.
Above the fixed shelf, you’ll usually find one or two adjustable shelves, giving you the flexibility to store everything from tall jars and cereal boxes to small baskets of spices or tea. Being able to reposition these shelves over time ensures your pantry stays organised, no matter how your needs evolve.
Our Favourite Shelving Options.
Adjustable shelving
Double thick shelving with Microwave
Fixed shelving
Other popular features we often incorporate into bespoke pantry designs include:
- Integrated appliances, such as built-in coffee machines or microwaves, to keep your work surfaces clutter-free.
- Divided shelves, perfect for arranging baking trays, chopping boards, or platters vertically.
- End glass shelves, which introduce a light, airy feel while displaying your favourite glassware or ceramics.
- Fixed shelves on decorative brackets, adding character and a sense of craftsmanship to your larder interior.Ultimately, the right shelving setup comes down to how you like to use your kitchen.
Whether you want a dedicated coffee station, a place to tuck away everyday appliances, or a beautifully organised collection of dry goods and cookware, your pantry can be designed to suit your lifestyle perfectly.At Anna Clare Bespoke, we’ll help you create a pantry or breakfast cupboard that’s as practical as it is beautifully tailored to your home.
Details – The Devil’s in the Detail
When planning your bespoke pantry cupboard or breakfast larder, it’s the thoughtful details that elevate the space from simply functional to beautifully considered. These finishing touches not only enhance practicality but also define the character of your kitchen.
At Anna Clare Bespoke, we believe every detail matters. From shelf thickness to sockets and lighting, we’ll guide you through every option, ensuring your pantry is as thoughtfully designed as it is beautifully made.
Shelving Details
It’s important to start by thinking about shelf construction. Will you prefer single-thickness shelves, or would you rather create a more substantial look with a double-thickness edge? Should the shelves be fixed in place for a clean, traditional appearance, or adjustable for versatility as your storage needs change?
Small Appliances
If you’re planning to keep small appliances inside your larder such as a toaster, coffee machine, or stand mixer, make sure to factor in power sockets. Consider how many sockets you might need and where they’ll be positioned to keep cables tidy and accessible. For appliances like toasters, we often recommend adding a steel heat shield to the underside of the first shelf above, protecting the cabinetry from excess heat.
Drawer Details
Your choice of drawer style also makes a big impact on both look and feel. You might opt for a classic handle, a clean finger-pull detail, or a integrated scallop detail, all of which can be tailored to suit either modern or traditional cabinetry.
Lighting Details
Lighting is another essential element to think about. Would you prefer a discreet LED strip light to illuminate the worktop evenly, or perhaps more decorative spotlights that create a warm, inviting glow? The right lighting helps make your larder a pleasure to use at any time of day.
Extras – The Finishing Touches
A pantry or breakfast larder is one of the most versatile cupboards in your kitchen, and the perfect place to make your own mark. The right finishing touches can transform it from a simple storage space into a beautifully designed feature that feels personal, practical, and full of character.
With thoughtful details and high-quality finishes, your pantry can become one of the most distinctive and enjoyable parts of your kitchen, both a hardworking storage solution and a place to express your personal style.
Hot tap.
One of the most effective ways to elevate a pantry is by adding a hot tap, either with a compact font or a small sink. This creates a fully functional breakfast or coffee station that works independently from the main kitchen, ideal for busy mornings or when entertaining guests.
Door Racks
For a classic, traditional look, consider incorporating door racks. These not only add visual charm but also provide clever, easily accessible storage for spices, jars, or condiments.
Worktops
The worktop itself offers another opportunity to create a statement. Whether you choose a rich timber surface for warmth or a beautiful stone worktop for durability and luxury, this area can set the tone for the whole pantry.
Mirror
If you’d like to introduce a touch of glamour, adding a mirrored back panel is a simple way to make the space feel brighter and more open. Mirrors reflect light beautifully and create an elegant contrast with timber or painted cabinetry.
At Anna Clare Bespoke, we’ll help you explore every possibility to ensure your pantry is as individual as your home.
