Wire shelves bending under the weight
Sagging wire racks are the most common pantry complaint we hear. We pull them out and install solid shelving fastened into studs.
Serving Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Pantry Design & Installation in Northbrook, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Northbrook: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Local crews working in Northbrook ZIP 60062
- Design, permits and every trade on one schedule
- A written, itemized estimate before any work
Pantry problems we fix in Northbrook
Wire racks, shelves too deep to see into and no light: those are the usual pantry complaints we hear in Northbrook. We replace them with shelving built into the framing, pull-out drawers at the bottom and lighting you can switch on from the door.
Bulk buys with nowhere to go
Warehouse-size packs need taller openings and floor space. We plan a section of the pantry for them so they don't end up in the garage.
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.
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.
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.
Dark pantry closet
Hunting for a can with a phone flashlight means the pantry needs a light. We add a fixture or LED strip, switched at the door or by a door sensor.
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.
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.
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.
- Layout and shelf depthsShelf depths and heights set for cans, boxes, bulk packs and appliances.
- Removing old shelvingOld shelving taken out and the closet prepared for the new build.
- Framing changes when neededIf the pantry needs a new wall or a wider opening, we frame it and handle the permit.
- Lighting and outletsA pantry light and, where useful, an outlet for appliances, wired by a licensed electrician.
- Door racks and finishingDoor-mounted racks, trim, paint and a final adjustment of every drawer.
Finishes and options
Wood and melamine shelvingPainted wood or wipeable melamine shelving, built to the walls.
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 pantrySpace to step inside, with shelving on two or three walls.
Pull-out drawers and basketsDrawers that bring the back of a deep shelf to the front.
Before and after: kitchens near Northbrook
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, 1950s ranch: pantry design & installation
The site: a 1950s ranch near Techny. 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 choosing the pantry type, layout and shelf depths, plus removing old shelving.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Glenview
A 1960s ranch near The Grove, a typical kitchen for Glenview. The reason for the call: 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 choosing the pantry type, layout and shelf depths, plus lighting and outlets.
Pantry Design & Installation in Glenview →
Before
AfterPantry Design & Installation in a postwar Cape Cod, Highland Park
This one is a postwar Cape Cod near St. John's. 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 choosing the pantry type, layout and shelf depths, plus framing changes when needed.
Pantry Design & Installation in Highland Park →
Before
AfterBuilt-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in a 1960s ranch, Northbrook
A built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Northbrook →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen island & peninsula installation
A new island in dusty blue with a creamy quartzite-look quartz top and seating.
Kitchen Island & Peninsula Installation in Northbrook →The project, step by step
- Show us the spaceSend photos of the closet, wall or room you're thinking about, plus what you need to store.
- Measure and designA site visit to measure and lay out shelves, drawers, lighting and door.
- 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 Northbrook homeowners
How much does it cost to install a pantry?
It depends on the type, size, materials and whether walls or wiring change. You get a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
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.
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 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?
It comes down to the space. If you have the floor area, a walk-in; if not, a well-shelved reach-in can store a surprising amount.
Does pantry project need a Northbrook building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Development & Planning Services, phone 847-664-4050. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a Northbrook-registered contractor for pantry project?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for pantry project in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Northbrook
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.