Small appliances crowding the counter
A pantry shelf at counter height with an outlet nearby can hold the mixer, air fryer or toaster oven so they come out only when needed.
Serving Des Plaines & nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge
Pantry Design & Installation in Des Plaines, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Des Plaines: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Local crews working in Des Plaines ZIP 60016, 60018
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Pantry problems we fix in Des Plaines
Some kitchens need a pantry cabinet on a free wall; others have a hall closet or an unused nook begging to become one. Our Des Plaines crew measures the space, sets shelf depths for cans, boxes and bulk items, and installs it so nothing sags or hides at the back.
Spices and small items lost on big shelves
Small items need small storage. We add door-mounted racks or a section of narrow shelves for spices and packets.
Pantry doors that get in the way
If the pantry door is always in the way, a different door type often fixes it without moving the opening.
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.
Shelves too deep to see into
Deep shelves hide the second and third rows of cans. Shallower shelves along the sides, or pull-out drawers, keep everything visible.
Pantry cabinet with fixed shelves
A tall pantry cabinet with fixed shelves only works for the front few inches. Roll-out drawers inside it make the whole depth usable.
No pantry at all
Food stored in upper cabinets, on the counter and on top of the fridge means the kitchen needs a pantry. A tall pantry cabinet on any free wall is the quickest way to add one.
Wanting a walk-in where there isn't one
A walk-in pantry needs enough width for shelves on both sides plus room to stand. Sometimes that means moving a wall, and then a permit is usually involved.
Everything in a pantry project
- Pantry inventoryWe look at what you store, how much and how often you reach for it.
- Layout and shelf depthsShelf depths and heights set for cans, boxes, bulk packs and appliances.
- Removing old shelvingWire racks and old shelves removed and the walls patched and painted.
- Lighting and outletsA pantry light and, where useful, an outlet for appliances, wired by a licensed electrician.
- 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.
- Door racks and finishingDoor-mounted racks, trim, paint and a final adjustment of every drawer.
Choices you'll make
Pantry cabinetsTall cabinet pantries that match or complement the kitchen cabinets.
Reach-in pantryA shallow closet pantry where everything is in reach without stepping in.
Walk-in pantryA small room lined with shelving, sometimes with a counter or appliance zone.
Wood and melamine shelvingSolid shelves that stay flat under cans and don't let small items tip.
Pull-out drawers and basketsRoll-outs for low shelves and baskets for produce and snacks.
What the work looks like in Des Plaines homes
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, postwar Cape Cod: pantry design & installation
A postwar Cape Cod in Des Plaines, a typical kitchen for Des Plaines. What bothered the owners most: groceries that had nowhere to go but the counter. After: 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 removing old shelving, pantry cabinets, plus door racks and finishing.
Before
AfterA Park Ridge 1960s ranch: before and after
This one is a 1960s ranch in Park Ridge. What bothered the owners most: groceries that had nowhere to go but the counter. 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 pantry inventory, shelving and drawers, plus pantry cabinets.
Pantry Design & Installation in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Des Plaines
A built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterDes Plaines kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen island & peninsula installation
A new island in dusty blue with a charcoal concrete-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Des Plaines →
Before
AfterA Des Plaines 1950s ranch: before and after
Cabinets in light butter yellow with satin brass pulls, creamy quartzite-look quartz counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Des Plaines →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 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 Des Plaines homeowners
What should go in a pantry besides food?
Anything you'd like off the counter: appliances, bulk items, wraps and foil, even a charging spot.
Can you match a pantry cabinet to my kitchen?
We match door style and color as closely as possible, or suggest a contrasting finish that looks deliberate.
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.
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 add lighting to a pantry?
Most pantry projects include a light. A licensed electrician does the wiring.
Does pantry project need a Des Plaines building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division, phone 847-391-5380. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a Des Plaines-registered contractor for pantry project?
Contractors must register with the City (via the online portal); registrations expire Dec 31. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for pantry project in Des Plaines?
It depends on the scope. Des Plaines's rule in short: A building permit is required for any residential kitchen remodel; non-structural work uses the Kitchen/Bath Non-Structural permit ($150 fee, rough and final inspections). We handle the permit when one is needed with Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division.
Do you work in my part of Des Plaines?
Yes. Our crews work across Des Plaines — ZIP 60016, 60018 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, Elk Grove Village.
Working in Des Plaines
- A lot of Des Plaines kitchens date from the 1960s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Des Plaines homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community and Economic Development Department - Building Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60016ZIP 60018
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Des Plaines
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.