One aspect of your new home plan requires a very personal touch from you. The pantry is a most-important adjunct to your kitchen.
Here are some tips from designers.
Shallow shelves. Keep your inventory in sight with shelves that are a maximum of 18 inches deep. Allow enough space at the top so you can see everything on the shelves or so you can stack cans or cartons one on top of another.
Allow plenty of space on the floor. You'll need it for large packages of paper towels, bottled water and 24-packs of soda. About two feet is enough, unless you buy cartons of toilet paper at a big-box store.
Build a pass-through window to the kitchen. When you need several items, you won't have to carry them out to the kitchen. The window is also handy for passing groceries from the kitchen to the pantry.
Create a place for bulky appliances. Cubby holes for the food processor, blender, toaster and portable oven allow for more counter space.
If your pantry is small, pullouts, bins, back-of-the door racks and adjustable shelves can help you use the space more effectively.
Drawers and pullout bins work in small pantries and large pantries alike. They are good for storing potatoes and onions or bags of dried beans, rice and peas. Pullout bins are great for anything that doesn't come in a box.
Allow a space for wire baskets where you can store fruit and keep it in sight.
