How to Build a Victorian Kitchen Pantry

A pantry helps prevent kitchen clutter.

The interiors of Victorian middle and upper class homes were planned with functionality in mind. The kitchen area is by no means an exception to this rule. Connected rooms, including larders, pantries and butler's pantries worked to keep clutter to minimum. In Victorian times, pantries were created solely for the storage of dishes, glassware and cutlery. Modern living dictates that this part of the kitchen should be used for storing fresh and dried foods, cans, cleaning equipment and kitchenware. Some homeowners prefer to keep their refrigerators in a pantry.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Paintbrushes
• Primer
• Paint
• Shelving
• Latches
• Hinges
• Handles
• Cabinets
• Knobs

Instructions

Design Your Victorian Pantry

1. Plan your pantry area by determining its dimensions. This should be a reflection of how much storage is needed, as well as the type of storage. If space allows, a 4-foot by 6-foot space should be adequate to store items such as a refrigerator, platters, cookware and foodstuffs.

2. 

   Storage for pots and pans can be created in the pantry.

   Measure typical items to be stored in your pantry area, such as spice bottles, pickling jars or large platters. This will allow you to design a space which meets your needs.

3. 

   Modern shelving elements should be avoided or hidden for an authentic look.

   Draw your pantry on paper. This should indicate the location of brackets, studs, open walls and cabinets. For ease of use and reduced costs, many homeowners choose a mainly open shelving system.

4. Choose shelving and cabinets. Reproduction Victorian furniture is available. For an authentic look, visit a reclamation or salvage yard for original pieces. Alternatively, do as the Victorians would have done and craft them from a dark wood such as oak or a painted pine.

5. Find furniture fittings at a salvage yard or purchase reproduction Victorian handles, knobs and latches. Glass and ceramic knobs were common during the Victorian period. For handles and latches, choose brass in keeping with the Victorian theme. This period combined many design styles, including Queen Anne and Revival. Victorian design is most commonly associated with ornate pieces. Look for highly decorated accessories to feature in your pantry's design.

Build Your Kitchen Pantry

1. 

   Do not glue any items until permanent installation.

   Construct all cabinets and shelves first. These will be temporarily put into place and then taken down, so avoid gluing any items. Once this is done, remove these items and set aside for painting.

2. Prime and paint the pantry walls. Choose a light color, such as a cream, to offset the cabinet and shelving color.

3. 

   Paint colors such as purple only became commercially available in the mid 19th century.

   Prime and paint the cabinets and loose shelves. During Victorian times, industrial paint processing was in its infancy. As a result, the palette was limited and very dark. To keep a true Victorian look, choose a dark green, red or blue to complement your cream walls.

4. Fix the cabinets and shelves in place. If you have sunken screws, ensure that these are filled and painted before installation.

5. 

   Hooks are inexpensive and easy to install in your pantry.

   Hang hooks or pegs on the underside of shelves to give your Victorian pantry a homey feel.

6. 

   Rag rugs were commonly featured in Victorian pantries.

   Introduce period accessories, such as a rag rug, copper jugs, wicker baskets and glass jars. Original items can be bought from secondhand shops or auctions. Alternatively, carefully choose reproduction pieces.

7. 

   Oil lamps were commonly used until the 1860s.

   Install Victorian light fittings in your pantry. Until the mid-19th century, candles and oil lamps were the only sources of light in a pantry. The introduction of gas lighting in 1860 and electric lightbulbs in 1879 revolutionized Victorian homes. When choosing Victorian light fittings, look for frosted or colored, translucent glass shades. These were frequently ornate, often featuring etched or cut glass patterns.

Tips & Warnings

• Sand down the fronts of all cabinets and shelves to give an aged look prior to painting.

• Use gun bluing on modern hinges, latches and screws to help age their appearance (see resource on bluing). A local gun shop can do this for you.

• A butler's pantry, placed between the kitchen and dining room, should traditionally include a sink. These are more common in the UK than the US.

References

• Victorian Interiors: Victorian Kitchen
• Old House Journal: Adding a Pantry
• Period Property: Dos and Don'ts of owning a Victorian Property
• Victorian Station: Kitchen
• Building Conservation: Lighting in the Victorian Home

Resources

• Browning Machine Guns: Bluing
• Victorian Station: Victorian Architecture
• Woodmeister: The Butler's Pantry