A kitchen Scullery or “Butler’s Pantry”, is a walk-in pantry or utility space to the side of the kitchen. A fixture in most homes before the war, the scullery was the domain of the scullery maid or butler.
In modern times, sculleries are becoming increasingly popular in larger kitchens for extra concealed storage space and a utility station for coffee machines, toasters, blenders and electric jugs. Accessible but out of sight!
Here are our top tips and considerations for including a scullery in your kitchen plans.
1. Transitional spaces
In modern homes, the scullery is usually located in transitional spaces between the kitchen and dining room. As our kitchens extend into our living areas, and we want a place where the prep work can be done away from the main kitchen and entertaining area. As the heart of the home, most kitchens today are more than just a place to cook. Integrating a scullery means the messiest bits can be hidden away when you are entertaining and using the kitchen as social space.
2. How will you use the space?
As a starting point, when you are planning your kitchen design, consider which tasks you want to perform in there away from the main kitchen. This will dictate what storage and fittings to include and how to make the space functional for you. It’s all about making your daily life easier, after all! Another popular choice is to combine your laundry and pantry into one scullery room that’s situated for ease of use and efficiency.
3. Plan for clever storage.
The priority for most people for their scullery is food storage. Open shelving makes everything accessible and easy to see. Taller spaces can be maximised in the space, hidden from view.
4. Add a mini or large sink.
A sink is a must-have in most sculleries. Such a handy feature for food prep, coffee and smoothie making etc. Some people prefer a small round sink for small jobs, while others prefer a larger double (or butler’s sink) – so they can wash larger items.
5. Keep the look light.
Your scullery may not get a huge amount of natural daylight, so lighting is essential. It is a good idea to complement the main lighting with LED strip lighting under the shelves or cabinets as ‘task lighting’. Sensor lighting can be an added luxury too for ease of movement in the space. Keeping the colour scheme and materials light is also a good idea for this reason.
6. Be smart with materials.
Function should take precedence over form with your scullery. You can be smart with your budget by using materials that match with your main kitchen but save on budget in this lower visibility space.
Talk to our design team for more guidance on including a scullery in your kitchen design plans.
