A major trend that the housing market has seen over recent years has been the continued rise of the pantry. Once considered a purely functional space, pantries have become a must-have for many homeowners as they become a style symbol as well as a place to store dried food.
Encouraged by social media influencers and celebrities showcasing their pantries online, homeowners have become fanatical about creating the perfect pantry in their homes.
With this trend comes many adjustments to the market, which homeowners, architects and developers need to be aware of. Keep reading to find out more about how the trend for pantries is changing the modern real estate industry.
Creating A Sub-Market
Perhaps the most obvious change that’s happened recently, as more and more homeowners seek the perfect pantry, is the rise of dedicated pantry designers and organisation specialists. While pantries used to be a mere afterthought, added on to fill an awkward space or at the behest of a client, pantries are now a whole sub-industry, with many interior designers specialising in them. As bizarre as it might sound, architects and developers might find themselves working with so-called ‘pantry experts’ on future projects.
Encouraging Pests
Large rooms full of food can be a haven for pests, including insects and even rodents. If food isn’t stored correctly, then pests will think they’ve hit the jackpot when they get into a pantry. As a result, pantries can be a minefield for homeowners, who end up with destroyed or unhygienic food. Once they move into pantries, particularly large ones, pests can be difficult to get rid of. Thankfully, even well-established infestations can be removed by professional pest controllers like the team at Integrum Services. Homeowners dealing with pest issues can quickly get them out of their pantries and properties with expert support.
Driving Demand For Built-In Food Storage
In the past, when architects and builders talked about built-in storage areas, they were usually referring to wardrobes and bathroom shelves. However, as pantries have become more popular, homeowners have become increasingly focused on getting the perfect shelving layout for their food storage areas. As a result, built-in food storage is on the rise. This includes not just fitted shelves, but also cabinets within pantries, drawers for small jars and even hidden bins where large containers can be kept out of sight.
Getting Bigger
While pantries used to be barely more than cupboards, today’s pantries are getting bigger, as people view them as a unique lifestyle feature as well as a place to keep their dried and canned goods. Given that many celebrieies, who inspired the trend, have huge walk-in pantries, it’s perhaps no real surprise that homeowners are seeking larger pantries. As such, developers will soon find that buyers are expecting pantries that can not only store food in, but also walk around and browse. This may change the shape and layout of kitchens for future homes.
Pantries are the ultimate status symbol in 2024, and look likely to remain fashionable for some years to come. Architects, home builders, owners and anyone with an interest in the real estate or construction industries needs to be aware of these developments in the home design landscape. This article should give you an initial insight into the rising popularity of kitchen pantries for modern homes.
