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 Skokie & nearby Evanston, Park Ridge
Pantry Design & Installation in Skokie, IL
We design and build kitchen pantries in Skokie: tall pantry cabinets, reach-in closet conversions and walk-in pantry shelving.
- Kitchen remodels across Skokie ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203
- One project manager from drawings to final walk-through
- Permits and inspections handled for you
Pantry problems we fix in Skokie
Wire racks, shelves too deep to see into and no light: those are the usual pantry complaints we hear in Skokie. 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.
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.
Wire shelves bending under the weight
Builder wire shelving bows under canned goods and lets small items tip through. Solid shelves on cleats or standards stay flat.
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.
No pantry at all
If groceries are scattered across every cabinet, a dedicated pantry pulls them into one place. We find the wall, closet or corner that can hold it.
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.
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.
What's included
- Choosing the pantry typeCabinet, reach-in closet or walk-in, based on the space you have.
- 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 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.
- Pantry cabinetsFull-height pantry units installed and trimmed to the existing cabinets.
Finishes and options
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.
Pantry doorsSwing, pocket, barn or glass-panel doors, chosen by the space in front of the pantry.
Pull-out drawers and basketsDrawers that bring the back of a deep shelf to the front.
Wood and melamine shelvingPainted wood or wipeable melamine shelving, built to the walls.
Pantry Design & Installation before and after — Skokie homes
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, 1950s ranch: pantry design & installation
The site: a 1950s ranch in Skokie. What bothered the owners most: 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. On site this meant layout and shelf depths, removing old shelving, plus shelving and drawers.
Before
AfterEvanston kitchen, 1920s bungalow: pantry design & installation
This one is a 1920s bungalow in Evanston. What bothered the owners most: a pantry closet with wire shelves sagging under food. 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 layout and shelf depths, removing old shelving, plus framing changes when needed.
Pantry Design & Installation in Evanston →
Before
AfterPark Ridge kitchen, 1950s ranch: pantry design & installation
The site: a 1950s ranch in Park Ridge. The main complaint was 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. Work included layout and shelf depths, framing changes when needed, plus shelving and drawers.
Pantry Design & Installation in Park Ridge →
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, postwar bi-level: built-in breakfast nook & banquette
A built-in banquette bench with storage drawers and cushions under the window, with a round pedestal table.
Built-In Breakfast Nook & Banquette in Skokie →
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, 1950s 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 Skokie →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 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 Skokie 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.
How much does it cost to install a pantry?
A closet refit and a new walk-in are very different jobs. We measure and quote each part separately.
Can you add lighting to a pantry?
Most pantry projects include a light. A licensed electrician does the wiring.
Do I need a Skokie-registered contractor for pantry project?
Many contractors must be registered and insured with the Village each year; permits are not issued unless all listed contractors are registered and insured. We take care of that before work starts.
What is the Skokie building department phone number?
Permits go through Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division (www.skokiepermits.com), phone (847) 933-8223. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for pantry project in Skokie?
It depends on the scope. Skokie's rule in short: Electrical work and plumbing or electrical system changes need a permit. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division.
Do you work in my part of Skokie?
Yes. Our crews work across Skokie — ZIP 60076, 60077, 60203 — and nearby Evanston, Park Ridge, Glenview.
Working in Skokie
- A lot of Skokie kitchens date from the 1950s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Skokie homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department - Building & Inspection Services Division handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60076ZIP 60077ZIP 60203
Pantry Design & Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Skokie
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.