I Wish I Knew You Could Buy a Complete Pantry Off the Shelf Before I Started My Small Kitchen Renovation

An expensive built-in isn't the only way to give your kitchen that pantry space it so badly needs, as I've found out

An open pantry unit with jars and a hidden nook for coffee and tea. On the top shelf of the pantry are some books. Outside of the pantry is a view of a wine rack as well as glass fronted cabinets
(Image credit: Iguana Architects)

Doing a kitchen reno is by no means an easy task, but it sure is a fun one — trust me, I speak from firsthand experience here. Choosing the materials, cabinets, colors, and even kitchen pieces to match your home's aesthetic is always a treat. But if there's one thing I wish my kitchen had, it would be a pantry.

Amongst the many things I wish I knew before renovating my small kitchen, the main one would be getting a hold of an off-the-shelf pantry. Yes, you read that one right. Just the other day, a Livingetc colleague of mine had mentioned this handy nook to me, and once conversations started to kick off, I took a deep dive into the chic, stylish, and practical pantries you can buy right off the shelf.

What caught my eye? That would be the Lynton Kitchen Larder Unit from Dunelm, and I must admit, it is quite ideal for those small pantry ideas. Aside from its simple yet sophisticated design, this off-the-shelf pantry has gathered a 4.4 out of 5 from reviewers, and buyers love its sleek design as well as its sturdiness. But let's dive further into why it's worth an 'add to cart' moment.

Easy to assemble and available to purchase in a flatpack, this pantry makes for the ideal small kitchen idea. If you're looking for additional storage ideas, too, then adding an off-the-shelf pantry could save you from a whole lot of scrambling around during hosting season.

You can add some of your favorites to this pantry, including cooking essentials, snacks, and maybe even storage jars and cookware to keep your items fresh and organized. Remember, knowing how to organize a kitchen is key to a seamless design, and this Lynton Kitchen Larder Unit from Dunelm offers just that and more.

The Alternatives


Have I convinced you to get your hands on an off-the-shelf pantry yet? Because I sure have convinced myself. If you're in the midst of a kitchen makeover, then be sure to take some notes on what not to do in a kitchen remodel to avoid those mistakes you might regret later down the line. Trust me, you'll want to take note of these!

Faiza Saqib
Renovation Editor

Faiza is the Renovation Editor at Livingetc. She previously worked for The Independent as a News Feature Writer, where she crafted lifestyle, entertainment, and news stories. She also worked as an Audience Editor for the newspaper for almost two years. Thriving in the busy newsroom, Faiza also spent her time crafting stories for Sky News as an SEO reporter, where she produced stories based on trending topics. Lifestyle and interior design have been areas of interest for her for some time, and as she advances in this field, she will continue to refine her skills in all aspects of design. Faiza has a background in SEO, social media, and reporting. Her passion for writing goes beyond her work as she loves all things poetry and creative writing.