Wire shelves bending under the weight
Jars tipping through the wires and shelves sloping toward the front are signs the wire shelving has had enough.
Serving Elmhurst & nearby Villa Park, Lombard
Pantry Design & Installation in Elmhurst, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Elmhurst: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Kitchen remodels across Elmhurst ZIP 60126
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Pantry problems we fix in Elmhurst
A good pantry lets you see everything you own at a glance. In Elmhurst we plan pantries around what you buy and how much of it, then build them as tall cabinets, reworked reach-in closets or walk-ins with solid shelves, drawers and a light.
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.
Closet that could be a pantry
Many homes have a closet a few steps from the kitchen that's barely used. Converting it is usually simpler than building a new pantry.
Spices and small items lost on big shelves
Door racks, step shelves and shallow drawers keep small jars and packets in view instead of buried.
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.
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
If the walk-in feels full but holds little, the shelving layout needs rethinking.
Pantry cabinet with fixed shelves
Pantry cabinets get far more useful when the shelves slide out. We retrofit roll-outs or build a new cabinet with them.
What's included
- Pantry inventoryA walk through your food, appliances and bulk items to size the pantry.
- Choosing the pantry typeWe decide together between a pantry cabinet, a closet conversion and a walk-in.
- Removing old shelvingWire racks and old shelves removed and the walls patched and painted.
- Framing changes when neededWall changes only when the plan requires them, with a permit where needed.
- Lighting and outletsA light switched at the door and power for an appliance shelf if you want one.
- Shelving and drawersSolid shelves on cleats or standards, pull-out drawers and baskets installed.
- Door racks and finishingDoor-mounted racks, trim, paint and a final adjustment of every drawer.
Finishes and options
Pantry cabinetsTall cabinet pantries that match or complement the kitchen cabinets.
Walk-in pantrySpace to step inside, with shelving on two or three walls.
Pantry doorsSwing, pocket, barn or glass-panel doors, chosen by the space in front of the pantry.
Wood and melamine shelvingPainted wood or wipeable melamine shelving, built to the walls.
Reach-in pantryA closet with shelves on the back and sides, usable from the doorway.
Pantry Design & Installation before and after — Elmhurst homes
Before
AfterElmhurst kitchen, 1960s ranch: pantry design & installation
This one is a 1960s ranch in Elmhurst. 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. The job covered choosing the pantry type, lighting and outlets, plus shelving and drawers.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Villa Park
The site: a postwar Cape Cod in Villa Park. 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 pantry inventory, lighting and outlets, plus shelving and drawers.
Pantry Design & Installation in Villa Park →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Addison
A 1950s ranch in Addison, a typical kitchen for Addison. The main complaint was 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. The job covered removing old shelving, framing changes when needed, plus lighting and outlets.
Pantry Design & Installation in Addison →
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a postwar Cape Cod, Elmhurst
A built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Elmhurst →
Before
AfterKitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in a postwar bi-level, Elmhurst
A new island in navy with a warm walnut butcher block top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Elmhurst →How your pantry project goes
- Show us the spacePhotos and rough dimensions of the space are enough to start the conversation.
- Measure and designA site visit to measure and lay out shelves, drawers, lighting and door.
- Written estimateYou get an itemized estimate covering shelving, cabinets, lighting and any wall work.
- Build and installCloset conversions often take a few days; walk-ins with wall changes take longer.
Pantry Design & Installation questions from Elmhurst homeowners
How long does a pantry project take?
A closet conversion or pantry cabinet is often done in a few days; walk-ins with wall changes take longer.
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.
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.
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 deep should pantry shelves be?
Shallower than most people expect. Cans and boxes are easiest to see on shallow shelves; deeper shelves are better for bulk items and appliances down low.
Does pantry project need a Elmhurst building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department (Building), phone 630-530-3030. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for pantry project in Elmhurst?
It depends on the scope. Elmhurst's rule in short: Elmhurst requires permits for building and construction projects; all permits are applied for through the City's Citizen Self-Service Portal. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department (Building).
Do you work in my part of Elmhurst?
Yes. Our crews work across Elmhurst — ZIP 60126 — and nearby Villa Park, Lombard, Addison.
Working in Elmhurst
- A lot of Elmhurst kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Elmhurst homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department (Building) handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60126
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Elmhurst
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.