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Many years before the emergence of the fitted kitchen as we know it, family kitchens commonly had pantry or larder cupboards, where foodstuff that needed to stay cool could be stored. However, with the introduction of good household refrigeration and a desire for a sleeker, more modern look, larders and pantries went out of style.
However, in recent years, larders have resurfaced as a key component of a new kitchen design, with built-in and freestanding models now available to provide as much variety as possible. The inside of these great pieces of furniture, updated and reimagined for the current age, no longer merely accommodate non-perishable goods and linens – in fact, larders are fast becoming as much a kitchen mainstay as a sink or cooktop. They're also ideal if you don't like crowded worktops because you can store a number of stuff inside and close the doors to keep them hidden when not in use but easily accessible when needed.
The larder cupboards, with inbuilt spice racks, shelving, and storage drawers, are ideal for more traditional layouts. To keep the look consistent, paint it the same color as the rest of the kitchen, or make it a highlight piece by painting it a stronger or contrasting color. Don't be discouraged if you're low on space. A built-in 60cm tall larder has almost the same footprint as a regular cabinet with a wall cupboard above – and you won't lose any worktop space if you incorporate a granite or stone shelf. If you build it to the ceiling, you'll be able to store stuff like extra-large roasting plates and specialty cake tins that you only use once or twice a year neatly until they're needed.
Cooking from scratch is incredibly rewarding, and it's a lot easier with a well-stocked pantry. Tinned products, herbs (which survive longer if kept out of the light), and condiments, as well as everyday staples like potatoes, eggs, onions, bread, and some fruits like bananas, would have been stored in larders by our grandparents. A larder, with its spice and herb door racks, drawers for packet meals, and shelves for pulses and pasta, is a far better option than a cupboard, where you may have to rummage around in the back for ingredients. Stack with glass jars and clear labels so you can see what's inside at a look.
Because your pantry cupboards will be part of a bigger design, it's a good idea to arrange the interior carefully, customizing it to your needs as much as possible. If you're going to use it as a one-stop shop for baking supplies, for example, make sure there's enough room for all those dry ingredients. It's also a good idea to have a cool shelf where you can make and roll out pastry. Remember, if you want to include equipment like blenders and mixers, you'll need to measure their height to make sure you can fit them where they'll be most useful. You'll also need to think about where you'll put your larder cupboards; if they're too far away from the oven, fridge, or sink, for example, you'll find yourself walking between them a lot.
If getting your family organized on busy weekday mornings is a challenge, a dedicated breakfast station in the larder can help contain mess and turmoil by keeping everything in one place. Include plug points for kettles, toasters, and blenders, then add drawers below for china, cutlery, and linen, and shelves above for cereals, jams, bread, and pastries, then simply close the doors once the morning rush is done.
Larder cabinets can be seen in nearly every home. It is not necessary to use them in a specific way or for a specific purpose. The cupboards, whether for food, household goods, or even clothing, are well-designed and provide ample storage space for all items. The question is, which storage cabinet is appropriate for which items?
We tested numerous types of cupboards in our storage cupboard test 2022 to make your purchase selection as simple as possible. After seeing the larder cupboards and the traditional cupboards with shelves, you may decide which cupboard best meets your needs.
• A storage closet, especially in the kitchen, can help you keep things in order. However, not just food, but also household utensils are stored here.
• Traditional cupboards with fixed shelves are distinguished from those with pull-out divisions. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.
• Storage cabinets come in a wide range of sizes. • Of course, you should consider how much space you have in the appropriate room before purchasing. This is the kitchen most of the time. As a result, it's a good idea to measure the kitchen, write down the information, and then figure out which cabinet will fit the best.
• Tall cupboards are commonly utilized as storage cupboards. Their height ranges from 140 to 220 cm. Most tall cabinets have a depth of around 60 cm and a width of 30 to 120 cm. You can have a base or wall unit fitted if you are primarily searching for a larder unit for the kitchen. These cabinets are often smaller than tall cabinets and hence take up less room.
Volume
Before you go out and buy something, think about what you want to put in the cabinet. You may calculate how much internal space is required based on this.
If a cupboard appears to have a lot of space on the exterior, it doesn't necessarily indicate it has a lot of space on the inside.
Larder cupboards range in size from 0.50 to 2.20 m3, with the latter being quite large.
We propose a storage closet with a volume of 0.50 to 0.60 m3 if it will be used for food, especially in the kitchen. Larger versions of this sort of closet are better suited to larger spaces or larger stored items.
A hoover, for example, or even an iron, can be stored in a storage cabinet with a volume of 0.70 m3 or more.
Material
Cupboards come in a variety of materials. Of course, you should consider this before purchasing a storage cabinet.
Solid wood is a priceless commodity. This type of furniture, often known as solid wood, is built entirely of the same type of wood. As a result, they are significantly more expensive than regular larder cabinets.
MDF board, for example, is a popular material. When a surface needs to be lacquered or decorated, they are utilized.
That is, if the cabinet needs to be a specific color and not appear to be made of wood. In the following category, you may learn more about this.
Chipboard is a slightly less expensive alternative to MDF. They are made out of little wood pieces that have been bonded and pushed together.
The skinny variants are typically used as wardrobe back panels. MDF boards, which are slightly more expensive than chipboard, are denser and thus more stable.
Colour
Of course, the color of a wardrobe is determined by the material it is made of. MDF boards, as previously stated, are mostly utilized to give a cabinet a specific color.
There are the ornamental surfaces on the one hand. These are commonly glued-on plastic or very thin paper surfaces.
Of course, these may be painted any color you desire and so fit into any of your spaces. Color, of course, is important when purchasing a storage cabinet. It's especially important if it's for the kitchen.
You're on the correct track with a veneer if you insist on wood patterns. Veneer is a thin veneer of wood attached to another piece of wood. It's used to make less valuable wood appear more valuable, for example.
Veneers range in thickness from 0.5 to 8 mm.
A cabinet's color can range from bright to dark, and it can be glossy or matte. On your cabinet, you can have almost any color in any shape.
Doors of many types
A storage cabinet's doors are extremely crucial, particularly when it comes to space. In a kitchen, everyone will probably have enough room for standard doors, but in larder cupboards, it's a different story, as long as you don't utilize open cupboards or shelves.
Swing doors are the most common type of door. On one side, it is fastened to the cupboard, and on the other, it opens. A swing door, on the other hand, is detrimental if the space between the larder cupboards and the adjacent wall is not too great.
A sliding door is far more appropriate in these situations. Sliding doors are typically found in closets that have at least two doors. The doors are moved to the side and, in a sense, disappear into the wardrobe.
The apothecary cupboard is another type of door that is ideal for the kitchen and for tiny items. The entire contents of the cupboard are dragged out in this case, which necessitates additional strength.
Of course, this feature isn't appropriate for small rooms. The advantage of the apothecary cupboard is that you have simple access to all of the objects inside and an excellent overview of everything.
The swing or folding flaps are the last but not least. These would be ideal for kitchen wall units. These larder closets have the advantage of being simple to open and close.
They virtually always open on their own and usually feature a built-in dampening device to keep the door from closing too loudly. Pivot and folding doors open upwards, making them ideal for tighter spaces and taking up minimal space when open.
Interior management
Inside a traditional storage cabinet, there are normally fixed shelves. The advantage is that the height of the shelves can be adjusted separately.
The disadvantages, on the other hand, are the removal and overview of the stored products. Only the first row of items is shown at this time. These are also simple to take away.
However, if you want to see or remove anything from the rear, you must dig a little deeper or remove certain items.
The apothecary cabinet, as noted, is a little more convenient since it gives you a good picture of everything and gives you easy access to everything.
A nice overview is also provided by the pantry cupboards with integrated drawers. You have a full view of the whole inventory in the relevant drawer, despite the fact that the overall view is limited.
There's also the door shelf, which goes with practically every type of cabinet. When you open the cupboard, it moves towards you, giving you a good view of the whole contents. Additionally, there is storage space on the inside of the door.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Storage Cabinets
The most frequently asked questions about storage cupboards are answered in the next paragraph.
What are the uses of larder cupboards?
Larder cupboards are typically found in kitchens. Here you'll discover food and various cooking items.
Other objects, on the other hand, can be stored in a storage closet. A vacuum cleaner or cleaning supplies are also popular objects kept here.
Of course, you can store whatever you want in such a cupboard. There are no set limits here; you can store anything in the storage cabinet, from clothes to books to anything else.
What are the different sorts of storage cupboards?
Larder cupboards come in a variety of styles. We've put together a table with the benefits and drawbacks so you can get a better sense.

Pull-out closets, such as the apothecary cupboard or the cupboard with internal drawers, have the advantage of providing an excellent overview. You can examine all of the items at a glance and have complete control over all of the goods. There will be no searching into the cabinets.
The larder cupboards with shelves are very similar to the cupboard shelf with door shelf. The only difference is the shelf on the door, as the name implies.
Of course, having equal access to all of the items in the door is convenient. Another advantage is that you don't need a lot of strength to open the cabinet because the contents stay inside and don't have to be pulled out.
These traditional larder cupboards are also less expensive than pull-out cabinets. So, if you want to save money, a closet with shelves is the way to go.
How much does a storage cabinet set you back?
Storage cabinets come in a wide range of prices. Of course, the cost is determined on the size. There are one or more doors on the larder cupboards. The more you have, the more expensive it is.

What is the best way to organize a storage closet?
In this part, we'll show you how to organize your storage cabinet step by step. Please take note of these points if you wish to rearrange your already overflowing cabinet.
You can skip the first three things if you're buying a new storage closet and want to organize it.
1. Clearing out: The first thing you should do is thoroughly empty out all of your supplies, preferably on a broad surface so that you can see everything.
2. Remove expired items: The next step is to clean out the space. Check all products for expiration dates and discard anything you're not sure you'll use again. This will help you save a lot of room.
3. Clean up: Cleaning is the last step before putting things away. Make sure each compartment is completely clean and free of any food or dust.
4. Categorize: At this point, you can concentrate on the specific contents. Each drawer or shelf should be divided into a category. Pasta, rice, muesli, and canned food are examples of possible categories.
5. Decanting: To conserve space and gain a better overview, remove every food from its wrapping and decant it into jars or other clearly labeled containers.
6. Putting away: Now that you've labeled and filled each container, you may store them in their designated sections and admire your lovely order!
Even if it appears to be tedious at first, it will be worthwhile in the end. You'll be astonished at how much easier cooking becomes once your kitchen is in order.
What should I do if my pantry cupboards are infested with bugs?
Small pests are common, especially when there is a lot of food. These unpleasant visitors, on the other hand, can be prevented if you pay attention to a few considerations.
Foods like flour and rice, in particular, should be kept cool and dry. Make sure your storage cabinet is sufficiently aired if it's in a storeroom.
Mold will form if the room or cabinet becomes too damp if this is not the case. Mould attracts vermin like a magnet.
You can choose between larder cupboards with pull-out shelves and those with fixed shelves. In terms of handling, both have pros and cons. An apothecary cabinet is great if you want a good overview of all your storage items. A cupboard shelf, on the other hand, is ideal if you don't want to strain yourself opening the cupboard.
If you want to avoid pests, keep your pantry cupboards clean and dry at all times. Cleanliness is essential, especially if you wish to monitor food outflow.