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.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Pantry Design & Installation in Buffalo Grove, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Buffalo Grove: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Kitchen remodels across Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Pantry problems we fix in Buffalo Grove
Wire racks, shelves too deep to see into and no light: those are the usual pantry complaints we hear in Buffalo Grove. We replace them with shelving built into the framing, pull-out drawers at the bottom and lighting you can switch on from the door.
Wanting a walk-in where there isn't one
When a reach-in won't do, we look at nearby closets or rooms that could be reframed into a walk-in pantry.
Pantry cabinet with fixed shelves
If you reach blindly into your pantry cabinet, sliding shelves are the fix.
No pantry at all
Kitchens built without a pantry can usually gain one, either as a full-height cabinet or by converting a nearby closet.
Shelves too deep to see into
If you keep buying what you already have because it was hidden at the back, the shelves are the wrong depth.
Pantry doors that get in the way
A swinging door that blocks the kitchen aisle can be replaced with a pocket door, a barn door or a bifold, depending on the wall.
Walk-in pantry that wastes space
A walk-in with one shelf per wall leaves most of the room empty. We add shelving up high, drawers below and a counter surface if the depth allows.
Small appliances crowding the counter
Moving rarely used appliances into the pantry clears the counter. We size a sturdy shelf or a pull-out for the heavy ones.
What the project covers
- Pantry inventoryWe look at what you store, how much and how often you reach for it.
- Layout and shelf depthsA shelf plan with deeper bays low and shallower shelves at eye level.
- Removing old shelvingWire racks and old shelves removed and the walls patched and painted.
- Framing changes when neededIf the pantry needs a new wall or a wider opening, we frame it and handle the permit.
- Lighting and outletsA light switched at the door and power for an appliance shelf if you want one.
- Shelving and drawersBuilt-in shelves, roll-out drawers and baskets fitted to the walls.
- Pantry cabinetsFull-height pantry units installed and trimmed to the existing cabinets.
Finishes and options
Pantry doorsThe door type depends on clearance: swing, sliding, pocket or bifold.
Wood and melamine shelvingPainted wood or wipeable melamine shelving, built to the walls.
Walk-in pantrySpace to step inside, with shelving on two or three walls.
Pantry cabinetsFull-height cabinets with roll-outs or doors with racks, fitted to a kitchen wall.
Pull-out drawers and basketsRoll-outs for low shelves and baskets for produce and snacks.
Before and after: kitchens near Buffalo Grove
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Buffalo Grove
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Buffalo Grove. What bothered the owners most: food buried on shelves too deep to see into. The result: 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, lighting and outlets, plus shelving and drawers.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights
This one is a 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights. The reason for the call: a pantry closet with wire shelves sagging under food. The result: 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 pantry inventory, lighting and outlets, plus pantry cabinets.
Pantry Design & Installation in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterLake Zurich kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: pantry design & installation
A 1990s two-story colonial in Lake Zurich, a typical kitchen for Lake Zurich. The main complaint was food buried on shelves too deep to see into. 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 pantry inventory, layout and shelf depths, plus shelving and drawers.
Pantry Design & Installation in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterA Buffalo Grove 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Buffalo Grove
A new island in terracotta with a warm walnut butcher block top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Buffalo Grove →How your pantry project goes
- Show us the spacePhotos and rough dimensions of the space are enough to start the conversation.
- Measure and designWe measure, check walls and wiring, and draw a shelf layout with depths and heights.
- Written estimateA written quote that lists each part of the pantry and what is included.
- Build and installCloset conversions often take a few days; walk-ins with wall changes take longer.
Pantry Design & Installation questions from Buffalo Grove homeowners
Can a closet become a pantry?
Often. A coat or linen closet near the kitchen converts well, as long as it's close enough to use daily.
How much does it cost to install a pantry?
Shelving type, drawers, lighting and any framing drive the price. The written estimate shows all of it.
Should I choose a walk-in or a reach-in pantry?
Walk-ins hold more but need floor space. Reach-ins are shallower and often more efficient in smaller homes.
Can you match a pantry cabinet to my kitchen?
Often, yes. If an exact match isn't available, a contrasting pantry wall can look better than a near-match.
What should go in a pantry besides food?
Small appliances, paper goods, bulk packs and sometimes the recycling. We plan zones so each has a place.
Buffalo Grove contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors working in the Village must register annually; $75 per trade, no fee for state-licensed contractors. We take care of that before work starts.
What is the Buffalo Grove building department phone number?
Permits go through Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services (BS&A Online), phone 847-459-2530. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for pantry project in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
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.