Kitchen larder or pantry? The differences between them

Incorporating a kitchen pantry or larder cupboard into your space can help you achieve a clean, organised and elevated aesthetic. But, what are the differences between the two and why should you consider having one in your home?

Our handy guide shares the basics of these clever storage spaces, including what pantries and larders are, their key features and benefits, and some of our favourite modern variations.

What is a pantry?

A staple of the home for hundreds of years, a pantry is a small room or large cupboard used to store food, drinks, crockery, cutlery and other excess kitchen essentials. Originally used to store bread in medieval times, the modern-day pantry has come a long way.

Now a key element in any kitchen, pantries can be built into your space as part of clever cabinetry design, or as part of the overall kitchen, architecture to help the main kitchen area remain clutter-free.

What is a larder?

Larders are space-saving solutions, usually built into your kitchen design. These clever cupboards help you organise all your pantry goods while keeping them in easy reach of your central kitchen area.

Larders are incredibly functional and can be designed to suit your needs, with an array of features available to make the space work best for you. From pan drawers and open shelving to wine racks and spice drawers, a larder cupboard is a perfect addition to enhance the practicality of your kitchen.

The differences between a pantry and a larder

While some people often use the terms interchangeably, there are several differences between pantries and larders. Here are some of the main ones:

Keeping it cool

Larders tend to be cool, dry areas, making them great for storing different types of food, while pantries are often small rooms or cupboards, so the temperature is less regulated. As such, pantries are typically used to house non-perishables, beverages, crockery, cutlery and any other miscellaneous kitchen item that needs a home out of the way.

A question of space

The available space you have is often a deciding factor when it comes to choosing between a pantry or larder. Larder cupboards are a fantastic way to add practicality to your kitchen layout, as they allow easy access to all products, but within the design of your current kitchen space.

A pantry is usually a larger space, added through clever use of architectural features such as spare rooms or partitioned spaces. This walk-in storage option may not be achievable in every home due to the space required, but where possible, the separation can free up extra room in the kitchen for cooking, dining and relaxing.

Design decisions

Larders can be purchased separately and seamlessly incorporated into your kitchen design, without the risk of compromising on style. You also have more design freedom with a larder as these come in a variety of finishes, materials and hues to suit your kitchen colour palette and mood board. A pantry requires more long-term planning as this space must be built into the architecture of a kitchen, whether in the form of personalised cabinetry or a walk-in cupboard.

A decorganizers dream

While there are some key differences between larders and pantries, they both offer the same benefits when it comes to improving the way you use your kitchen space.

The phrase ‘tidy home, tidy mind’ is well-known for a reason! Keeping clutter and excess equipment neatly stored away helps elevate your kitchen from a space of functionality to a space for enjoyment. Not only this, but larders and pantries can become design statements. The growing trend for ‘decorganizing’ - involving decanting long-life goods into beautiful glass jars, bamboo holders and neatly labelled containers - means that your larder or pantry doesn’t have to become another dumping ground; instead, it could be Pinterest paradise!