What Is the Difference Between a Pantry and a Larder?

Most of us use the terms pantry and larder interchangeably, but if we’re being technical, they aren’t exactly the same thing.

A larder is there to keep fresh food cool and was a lot more common before every kitchen had a fridge, whereas a pantry is designed for storing dried ingredients, tins, and household essentials.

Of course, if you’re chatting with our kitchen design team, we’ll know what sort of kitchen storage solution you need, but it’s worth understanding the contrasts and how they relate to modern kitchen design, whether you want a walk-in pantry, a built-in larder, or a space that is a combination of both.

At Smile Kitchens, we often find the ideal storage isn’t necessarily about how you define it, but about creating kitchens where it’s easy to organise everyday items, where they’re always accessible when you need them, and where that storage space integrates perfectly into the rest of the room.

What Is a Pantry Used For?

Pantries are primarily used to store dry goods and lack the temperature controls you might expect with refrigeration.

They’re dedicated areas where most homeowners keep:

• Dried foods such as pasta, rice and cereals
• Tinned and jarred goods
• Baking components
• Snacks and drinks
• Kitchen appliances
• Kitchen crockery, utensils, glassware

Most pantries have built-in shelves, racks, or hooks and can be located either inside the kitchen or in an adjacent kitchen utility room.

However, there are numerous ways to design pantries, whether walk-in larger spaces, pull-out cupboards or secret storage hidden behind cabinetry.

Nowadays, the term ‘Pantry’ usually refers to an adjacent room to the kitchen, offering a dedicated and extended storage space form the main kitchen space. 

What Is a Larder Traditionally Designed For?

As we’ve touched on, a traditional larder isn’t commonly used in homes today. 

Historically and functionally a larder was a cool, ventilated space or cupboard meant for keeping raw meats and perishable foods fresh, like milk & butter, before refrigeration .

Modern larders don’t tend to be used in the same way, and they’re more often space-saving solutions offering internal shelving, spice racks, pull-out baskets and integrated door storage and much more.

 If you store more items or have a larger family, you might also consider using a floor-to-ceiling cupboard as a pantry, where the height of the pantry adds to its capacity.

Today, a larder is less about keeping food cool and more about creating a dedicated storage space that keeps ingredients organised and easy to access.

Differences Between Pantries and Larders

Here’s a quick reference guide to the key contrasts between these storage options:

Which Storage Option Is Best for Your Kitchen?

There are so many ways to design storage that fits your kitchen layout, and the ideal solutions will always depend on how much storage you need, where it should be located relative to the main kitchen, and the kitchen style you like.

We’ve shared some ideas based on real kitchen designs you may be interested in!

Walk-in Pantry Storage

Walk-in pantries are separate rooms or deeper cupboards that work well in larger homes.

They’re also often used within open-plan kitchens where you want to keep everyday items stored in a utility or concealed behind a door.

The storage capacity of a walk-in pantry is considerable and could be a great addition to your kitchen if you have a busy family home, prefer to bulk shop, or need ample space.

Larder Cupboards

Dedicated cupboards for food items are frequently used in compact kitchens and apartments, where you need to keep everything in one place where it’s easy to find.

Internal storage, like drawers, hooks, and racks, helps ensure the larder stays tidy and well organised. 

Smile offer a versatile range of larder storage, with lots of customisation available – Please see our storage page for more 

Combination Storage

Many Smile Kitchens projects combine a larder and a pantry, and if you have sufficient room, there’s no need to choose between the two.

You might, for instance, have a walk-in pantry for food and appliances, and a larder cupboard for breakfast items.

Another amazing way to utilise a larder is to turn it into a coffee station, where all your utensils, coffee machine, and ingredients are kept in a designated cupboard.

Looking for a pantry or larder designed around the way your family lives?

Smile Kitchens can help create a bespoke storage solution that combines organisation, style and practicality.

How to Make a Pantry or Larder Storage Space Work Harder

The right spot for your storage will vary between kitchen layouts, but there are a few ways to ensure you’re always using the oldest items first, and don’t end up with a ‘cupboard for everything’ where it’s impossible to find what you’re looking for!

• Put heavier appliances lower down to reduce strain on shelving and avoid overloading your cupboard.
• Pick clear containers for dried goods like cereal and rice so you can see instantly where each item is, or label the shelves to separate items.
• Everyday items you need to grab on the go should ideally be between waist and eye level, rather than positioned on a high shelf or close to the floor.
• Rotating your food regularly and placing newly purchased items at the back of the cupboard will help you avoid wasting anything.

You can also install LED lighting so you can see where everything is at a glance, or install pull-out shelves and appliance garages that help keep storage organised. 

Interested in creating a separate storage space in your kitchen? You’ll find plenty more ideas within Smile Kitchens’ design galleries.

Or book a free kitchen design consultation and talk through your pantry vs larder options with our design team. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Pantry the Same as a Larder?

Yes and no! In reality, they’re usually referring to the same thing, but originally they were used for different types of storage: cold storage for food you’d now put in the fridge, and room-temperature storage for other items.

What Is a Pantry Cupboard For?

Anything you’d like to store, from baking supplies to dried foods and tins to cereals and snacks, kitchen essentials and small appliances. 

You can also use larders or pantries for specific types of items, like breakfast foods, if you need to better organise particularly busy parts of your day.