Closet that could be a pantry
If there's a closet off the kitchen or hall, it may hold more food than a new cabinet, once the shelving is rebuilt.
Serving Highland Park & nearby Northbrook, Glenview
Pantry Design & Installation in Highland Park, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Highland Park: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Kitchen remodels across Highland Park ZIP 60035
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Pantry problems we fix in Highland Park
Wire racks, shelves too deep to see into and no light: those are the usual pantry complaints we hear in Highland Park. We replace them with shelving built into the framing, pull-out drawers at the bottom and lighting you can switch on from the door.
Spices and small items lost on big shelves
Spices and baking supplies get lost on deep shelves. A door rack or tiered shelf keeps them in sight.
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
When a reach-in won't do, we look at nearby closets or rooms that could be reframed into a walk-in pantry.
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.
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.
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
A closet pantry without light is hard to use, especially at the back corners. Adding a light is often part of the job.
What's included
- Choosing the pantry typeWe decide together between a pantry cabinet, a closet conversion and a walk-in.
- 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.
- Framing changes when neededWall changes only when the plan requires them, with a permit where needed.
- Shelving and drawersBuilt-in shelves, roll-out drawers and baskets fitted to the walls.
- 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.
Materials and options
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.
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.
Pull-out drawers and basketsRoll-outs for low shelves and baskets for produce and snacks.
What the work looks like in Highland Park homes
Before
AfterHighland Park kitchen, postwar bi-level: pantry design & installation
This one is a postwar bi-level near Port Clinton. The reason for the call: 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. On site this meant choosing the pantry type, pantry cabinets, plus door racks and finishing.
Before
AfterPantry Design & Installation in a postwar bi-level, Northbrook
The site: a postwar bi-level in Northbrook. The reason for the call: 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. On site this meant choosing the pantry type, shelving and drawers, plus pantry cabinets.
Pantry Design & Installation in Northbrook →
Before
AfterPantry Design & Installation in a 1950s ranch, Glenview
A 1950s ranch near The Grove, a typical kitchen for Glenview. The main complaint was groceries that had nowhere to go but the counter. 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. On site this meant choosing the pantry type, layout and shelf depths, plus removing old shelving.
Pantry Design & Installation in Glenview →
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a 1960s ranch, Highland Park
What changed: a built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Highland Park →
Before
AfterKitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in a postwar Cape Cod, Highland Park
What changed: a new island in dusty blue with a creamy quartzite-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Highland Park →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 Highland Park homeowners
How deep should pantry shelves be?
We mix depths: shallow at eye level for everyday food, deeper below for cases, bins and appliances.
Do I need a permit for a new pantry?
Not for shelving or cabinets. Moving or adding walls, or adding a new circuit, usually does, and we pull the permit when it applies.
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.
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.
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.
Highland Park contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
The City publishes contractor requirements on its Building Division page (new building codes effective March 1, 2026). We take care of that before work starts.
Do you work in my part of Highland Park?
Yes. Our crews work across Highland Park, including Ravinia District, Downtown Highland Park, Port Clinton, St. John's — ZIP 60035 — and nearby Northbrook, Glenview, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Highland Park
- A lot of Highland Park kitchens date from the pre-1940. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Highland Park homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
Ravinia DistrictDowntown Highland ParkPort ClintonSt. John's
ZIP 60035
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Highland Park
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.