{"id":229091,"date":"2024-09-13T14:45:46","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T18:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/?p=229091"},"modified":"2024-09-13T14:45:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T18:45:53","slug":"a-butlers-pantry-or-scullery-will-hide-the-mess-in-an-open-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/design\/a-butlers-pantry-or-scullery-will-hide-the-mess-in-an-open-kitchen","title":{"rendered":"A butler’s pantry or scullery will hide the mess in an open kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A scullery is an extra, small kitchen that conceals prep and cooking mess. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

While a kitchen integrated right into an open-concept floor plan<\/a> has upside for entertaining<\/a> and communal gathering, with wide open sightlines and sensible traffic flow, it doesn\u2019t hide the mess in an open kitchen. The reality is that the dirty work of prep and cooking is fully on display, all the time.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is even more prominent when you have a kitchen island<\/a> that serves as prep, cooking, and seating.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this in mind, floor plans are evolving, particularly in new construction homes, to enhance functionality, making\u00a0 entertaining in the kitchen<\/a> more pleasant and seamless for homeowners, and for their guests, too. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Auxiliary spaces, usually tucked off to the side of the kitchen, with specific design and features around storage and prep, are growing in popularity, such as sculleries (also known aptly as messy kitchens) and butler\u2019s pantries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a butler pantry? What is a scullery? What features do they offer and how do they help to hide the mess in an open kitchen? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historic trends returning to hide the mess in an open kitchen<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While sculleries and butlers’ pantries are one of the hottest interior design trends of 2024,<\/a> they were actually a staple of interior design in the late 19th<\/sup> and early 20th<\/sup> centuries<\/a>. These rooms were located near the main living and dining areas, but were concealed from the guests and homeowners, with the aim of containing dirt, grease and odors away from the activities of the main household. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These workspaces were also configured with storage, for cooking utensils, dishes, linens and items that were used in cooking and serving food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they were removed from the main household with walls, or sometimes on a different level (i.e. in the basement), they were connected enough to facilitate easy access between kitchen and dining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, butler pantries and sculleries serve similar functions but take advantage of tech and contemporary style to hide the mess in an open kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All about sculleries and butler pantries<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the features of sculleries and butler pantries: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a butler\u2019s pantry?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Historically, the butler\u2019s pantry was a pass-through between the kitchen and dining rooms, where serving utensils and dishes, and sometimes dry goods were stored. Staff would assemble dishes for serving, and clear empty plates after eating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s home design, the butler\u2019s pantry is often placed between the kitchen and dining areas, perhaps around a corner, or behind the main prep space. It\u2019s a smaller, pass-through-style area, that has lots of cabinetry and storage<\/a> as well as counter space. Sometimes homeowners also incorporate a coffee or wet bar.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some floor plans<\/a> are now featuring a butler\u2019s pantry placed between the garage and the kitchen, with additional shelving and storage, conveniently located for homeowners parking in the garage to unload their grocery haul with minimal steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a scullery?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think of a scullery as a small kitchen. It\u2019s a small room, tucked off to the side of the kitchen, often with an additional refrigerator and sometimes another dishwasher and oven. Counterspace is usually ample for prep space, although on a smaller scale than in the main kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is plumbing and electrical in a scullery, to run the extra appliances and sink(s). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the difference between a scullery and a butler\u2019s pantry?<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The main differences between a scullery and a butler\u2019s pantry are size and location. A butler\u2019s pantry is smaller and can be in a variety of areas in a floor plan. It\u2019s more focused on storage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile a scullery is larger, and has extra appliances, essentially providing a workspace for cooking and cleanup. The scullery is almost always immediately accessible to the main areas within a few steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Style tips for sculleries and butler pantries<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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Decor and finishes are often the same as the main kitchen. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

These kitchen-adjacent spaces not only enhance functionality, but also offer homeowners the chance to add more style to their home. When designed and decorated well, these work-friendly spaces are a value-add that appeal to future buyers, while elevating your own experience at home today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n