A larder or pantry cupboard is a tall kitchen cupboard dedicated to food storage, fitted with shelves, drawers, spice racks and door storage so everything is visible and within reach. It can be built into a run of units, fitted into an alcove, or made as a freestanding piece of furniture. One well-designed larder can replace several wall cabinets and transform how a kitchen works.
At Oak & Pine by Design, we make built-in and freestanding larder cupboards by hand in our Honley workshop. Here's how to plan one that you'll use every day.
Larder vs pantry: what's the difference?
Today the words are used almost interchangeably. Traditionally, a larder was a cool room or cupboard for fresh food, and a pantry stored dry goods and tableware. A modern larder cupboard does both. A walk-in pantry is a small room lined with shelves, for homes that have the space.
Built-in vs freestanding larder cupboards
| Built-in larder | Freestanding larder | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Seamless with the kitchen | A piece of furniture with character |
| Best for | Maximising storage in a fitted run or alcove | Unfitted kitchens, period homes |
| Flexibility | Part of the house | Can move with you |
| Size | Fits the space exactly, floor to ceiling | Designed to suit the room's proportions |
Larder cupboard ideas
1. Shelves on the doors
Shallow door racks hold spices, jars and bottles, so nothing gets lost at the back.
2. Deep drawers at the bottom
Pull-out drawers for potatoes, onions, bread and heavy items are far easier than low shelves.
3. Solid wood shelves
Oak or other hardwood shelves look beautiful and take the weight of tins and jars without sagging.
4. A worktop inside
A larder with a worktop level becomes a breakfast or coffee station, with toaster, kettle and coffee machine hidden behind doors.
5. Fit it into an alcove
An alcove beside a chimney breast is the perfect spot for a built-in larder. It uses space that's otherwise wasted.
6. Make it a feature
Paint the larder a contrasting colour, add glazed upper doors, or build it as a freestanding piece with turned details.
Want a larder that fits your kitchen perfectly? Talk to Daniel about your space.
How big should a larder cupboard be?
It depends on your room and what you store, but a larder is most useful when it's tall, ideally close to ceiling height, with shelves spaced for the things you actually own. Shallow shelves are often better than deep ones, because nothing hides behind anything else. Because we make every larder to measure, we plan the internal layout around your jars, appliances and baking tins, not a standard catalogue size.
Why a handmade larder is worth it
A larder is opened more than almost any other cupboard in the house. Handmade doors with proper joints stay square, solid wood shelves don't bow, and a hand-painted finish can be touched in when it gets knocked. It can also be matched exactly to your existing kitchen.
Our client Malcolm Craig had a pantry made alongside bookshelves and other fitted pieces: "Very high quality of workmanship, and great fit and finish. Would wholeheartedly recommend."
Frequently asked questions
Is a larder cupboard worth it?
Yes. It puts food storage in one place, frees up other cupboards and makes everything easier to find.
Can a larder be added to an existing kitchen?
Yes. We can build a freestanding or fitted larder to match your existing kitchen in timber, colour and detail.
Where should a larder go in a kitchen?
Close to the main prep area and the fridge, and often in an alcove or at the end of a run.
What's the difference between a larder and a pantry?
Today they mean much the same thing: a dedicated food storage cupboard. A walk-in pantry is a small room rather than a cupboard.
A larder made for your kitchen
We design and build larders, dressers and complete kitchens by hand in our Honley workshop, led by master craftsman Daniel Fitzpatrick, a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen. Explore our handmade kitchens and handmade cabinets and dressers.
Visit us at Unit 3, Crossley Mills, Honley, HD9 6PL. Your first consultation is free.
Book a showroom visit or call 01484 666 333.