Wanting a walk-in where there isn't one
Building a new walk-in usually takes floor space from a laundry, closet or hall. We check what the walls carry before planning it.
Serving Aurora & nearby Batavia, Warrenville
Pantry Design & Installation in Aurora, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Aurora: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Local crews working in Aurora ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Pantry problems we fix in Aurora
Wire racks, shelves too deep to see into and no light: those are the usual pantry complaints we hear in Aurora. We replace them with shelving built into the framing, pull-out drawers at the bottom and lighting you can switch on from the door.
Shelves too deep to see into
When pantry shelves are as deep as a closet, things get lost behind each other. We rebuild them at depths that suit cans and boxes.
Dark pantry closet
If you can't read labels on the top shelf, the pantry needs lighting. We plan it with the shelving so nothing blocks it.
Closet that could be a pantry
A coat closet or broom closet near the kitchen can often become a reach-in pantry with shelves on three sides and a door rack.
Bulk buys with nowhere to go
If you buy in bulk, we leave a bottom zone or a tall bay open for cases and big containers.
Walk-in pantry that wastes space
Walk-ins often have deep shelves on one side and nothing on the other. We rebalance the layout so both walls work.
Pantry cabinet with fixed shelves
If you reach blindly into your pantry cabinet, sliding shelves are the fix.
Pantry doors that get in the way
Pantry doors that hit the fridge or the dishwasher can be rehung or swapped for a sliding door.
Everything in a pantry project
- Choosing the pantry typeCabinet, reach-in closet or walk-in, based on the space you have.
- Layout and shelf depthsA shelf plan with deeper bays low and shallower shelves at eye level.
- Removing old shelvingOld shelving taken out and the closet prepared for the new build.
- Lighting and outletsA pantry light and, where useful, an outlet for appliances, wired by a licensed electrician.
- Shelving and drawersSolid shelves on cleats or standards, pull-out drawers and baskets installed.
- Pantry cabinetsTall pantry cabinets with roll-outs or adjustable shelves, set level and fastened to the wall.
- Door racks and finishingDoor-mounted racks, trim, paint and a final adjustment of every drawer.
Finishes and options
Reach-in pantryA shallow closet pantry where everything is in reach without stepping in.
Pull-out drawers and basketsDrawers that bring the back of a deep shelf to the front.
Walk-in pantrySpace to step inside, with shelving on two or three walls.
Wood and melamine shelvingSolid shelves that stay flat under cans and don't let small items tip.
Pantry cabinetsFull-height cabinets with roll-outs or doors with racks, fitted to a kitchen wall.
What the work looks like in Aurora homes
Before
AfterPantry Design & Installation in a 1990s two-story colonial, Aurora
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Aurora. What bothered the owners most: food buried on shelves too deep to see into. After: the closet next to the kitchen rebuilt as a pantry with solid wood shelves, pull-out baskets on the bottom and a light. On site this meant lighting and outlets, shelving and drawers, plus door racks and finishing.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Batavia
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Batavia. What bothered the owners most: a pantry closet with wire shelves sagging under food. After: the closet next to the kitchen rebuilt as a pantry with solid wood shelves, pull-out baskets on the bottom and a light. The job covered removing old shelving, pantry cabinets, plus door racks and finishing.
Pantry Design & Installation in Batavia →
Before
AfterPantry Design & Installation in a two-story colonial from the 1990s, Geneva
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Mill Creek. The main complaint was a pantry closet with wire shelves sagging under food. Finished kitchen: the closet next to the kitchen rebuilt as a pantry with solid wood shelves, pull-out baskets on the bottom and a light. Work included layout and shelf depths, removing old shelving, plus shelving and drawers.
Pantry Design & Installation in Geneva →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Aurora
Finished: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Aurora →
Before
AfterAurora kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen island & peninsula installation
Finished: a new island in dusty blue with a black honed granite top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Aurora →From first visit to final walk-through
- Show us the spaceSend photos of the closet, wall or room you're thinking about, plus what you need to store.
- Measure and designWe measure, check walls and wiring, and draw a shelf layout with depths and heights.
- Written estimateYou get an itemized estimate covering shelving, cabinets, lighting and any wall work.
- Build and installWe build, install and finish the pantry, then walk you through it.
Pantry Design & Installation questions from Aurora homeowners
How much does it cost to install a pantry?
A closet refit and a new walk-in are very different jobs. We measure and quote each part separately.
Can you add lighting to a pantry?
Usually. We check where power can come from and choose a fixture that won't be blocked by the shelves.
How can I add a pantry to my existing kitchen?
Usually with a full-height pantry cabinet, a reworked closet or a section of the kitchen turned into floor-to-ceiling storage.
How deep should pantry shelves be?
We mix depths: shallow at eye level for everyday food, deeper below for cases, bins and appliances.
Should I choose a walk-in or a reach-in pantry?
A walk-in needs room for shelves on both sides plus a path to stand in; a reach-in fits where that space isn't available and keeps everything within arm's reach.
Do I need a Aurora-registered contractor for pantry project?
Contractors must be registered/licensed with the City (application, required testing if applicable, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured). Homeowners may act as own contractor if owner-occupied 6+ months with a Homeowner Liability Waiver. We take care of that before work starts.
Does pantry project need a Aurora building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora, phone (630) 256-3130. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for pantry project in Aurora?
It depends on the scope. Aurora's rule in short: Interior remodels, structural changes and interior plumbing always need a permit; electrical/mechanical may. We handle the permit when one is needed with Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora.
Do you work in my part of Aurora?
Yes. Our crews work across Aurora, including Near Eastside, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, Palace Street — ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503 — and nearby Batavia, Warrenville, Naperville.
Working in Aurora
- A lot of Aurora kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Aurora homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Near EastsideTannerRiddle HighlandsPalace StreetWest SideFar East Side
ZIP 60506ZIP 60502ZIP 60505ZIP 60504ZIP 60503
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Aurora
Pull-Out Shelves & Cabinet OrganizersRoll-out shelves and organizers built to fit your existing cabinets.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & BanquetteBuilt-in bench seating with storage for corners, bays and nooks.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula InstallationNew islands and peninsulas with seating and storage.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.