Our Fall Home Organization Challenge continues and today we’re sharing how to organize the butler’s pantry!
A well-organized pantry isn’t just about storage—it’s about creating a space that works seamlessly for meal prep, entertaining, and keeping essentials easily accessible.
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or need an extra spot to stash your kitchenware, maximizing every inch of your small butler’s pantry can simplify your routine and elevate your home’s overall functionality.
If you don’t have a butler’s pantry, you can still use these tips in your regular pantry, kitchen, or dining room.
What is a Butler’s Pantry
If you’re unfamiliar with the term butler’s pantry, here is an overview of its purpose.
A butler’s pantry is a space, typically located, between the kitchen and the dining room.
Historically, it was a space where butlers or household staff prepared and managed tableware, food service, and drinks.
In modern homes, a butler’s pantry acts as an extension of the kitchen, offering extra counter space for food prep, staging meals, or setting up a drink station.
Our butler’s pantry is tiny but I’m so thankful to have it to store items I use in the dining room!
Want to see what it looked like before and after I organized it?
Here you go!
Before and After Organizing the Butler’s Pantry
I’ve organized this space before, but somehow I managed to let items creep in here that don’t belong!
Each time I organize a space, I try to figure out what worked and what didn’t, so this won’t happen again.
Check out a few before and after pictures of the butler’s pantry and then I’ll share how I organized the space!
Upper Cabinet
Lower Cabinet
Drawers
Steps to Organize a Butler’s Pantry
1. Assess the Space and Needs
Identify the primary functions of your butler’s pantry.
Will you use it for storage, a prep area, a beverage station, etc.?
First, I decided to use our counter space as a breakfast station after I saw how my friend CoCo at The Crowned Goat organized one at her house!
Second, I need to keep the icemaker here because it’s too bulky to store on our beverage station.
Third, I will use the cabinets and drawers to store only the items we use in the dining room or eat-in kitchen.
2. Declutter and Prioritize
- Remove unnecessary or rarely used items.
- Keep only the essentials that align with the pantry’s purpose.
- Categorize items into groups (glassware, dishware, small appliances, serving pieces, linens).
3. Measure the pantry space
Before purchasing any organization systems to contain items, measure your drawers and cabinets to make sure they fit.
4. Designate Zones for Specific Tasks
Create distinct areas for tasks like food prep, serving, or storage.
Counter space- used as a breakfast station and set up with a toaster, plates, napkins, juice glasses, and eating utensils stored in a basket.
Upper cabinet- I assigned shelves for specific items.
The bottom shelf is for china, the second is for glassware, the third is for miscellaneous items, and the top shelf is for silver items that are rarely used.
Lower cabinet- storage for table linens such as tablecloths, napkins, and placemats.
Drawers- the left drawer is storage for serving pieces and the right holds bar accessories.
5. Utilize Drawer Dividers
Place small items in drawer organizers for easy access.
Originally, I was planning to purchase bamboo drawer dividers. Then, after purging the majority of items in the drawers, I remembered I had these plastic dividers left over from another project.
Always search your house to see if you have something to use as a storage container.
6. Incorporate bins or Baskets
Use bins for tablecloths and napkins to avoid clutter.
File fold them so you can see exactly what you have and how many of each item you own.
Stack placemats and chargers to use all the vertical space in your cabinet.
Conclusion
It feels so good to have this job done!
I hope you feel inspired to organize your butler’s pantry!
By thoughtfully arranging storage into designated zones and keeping things clutter-free, even the tiniest pantry can become a practical and beautiful extension of your kitchen and dining room.
Try to regularly assess your organization system so it stays functional for everyday use and special occasions.
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
More Kitchen Organization Inspiration
If you’re motivated to organize more in your kitchen, here are some helpful posts:
- How to Organize Pots, Pans, and Lids
- Helpful Under Kitchen Sink Organization Ideas
- Why I Love to Decant Pantry Items
- The Best Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen
Get The Look
Here are some of the items we have in our butler’s pantry. If we couldn’t find the exact item, we linked something similar.
Click on the blue links below to learn more about each item in the picture!
Wicker Flatware Organizer | GE Nugget Ice Maker | Lenox 5-Piece Place Setting
Three Black Storage Baskets | 6-pack Black Storage Baskets
Toaster Oven | Clear Plastic Drawer Organizers | Wicker Napkin Holder
Pin It For Later
If you don’t have time to organize your butler’s pantry now, pin this for later!
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
I wish we had a butler’s pantry Donna! When we were looking for homes, we toured a lovely 1800’s home with a large butler’s pantry and I was smitten. If only the older home we chose had one. I’d take your before photos any day of the week, although I have to say, we are working on getting things organized in the kitchen, I just hope the next project is finished before Christmas. 🙂 Your butler’s pantry is divine, and looks so perfectly organized my friend.
Thanks so much Cara! It has taken me years to get my spaces organized so keep making goals and it will happen! Good luck with the kitchen!
This looks amazing, Donna, I’m so excited for you! Creating a breakfast station has been such a game changer for us and I’m tickled pink you were able to use the same idea and make it your own too. My parents have a similar set up to yours and it’s become a workhorse for our family. My Mom sets up a breakfast bar on mornings she has overnight guests because the area is so close to the dining room. When she has parties though she’ll set this area up with drinks and it works out really well. Spaces that can be used in multiple ways are my favorite kind of spaces! Big hugs, CoCo
Hi CoCo! Thanks for the breakfast station inspiration! Tell your mom great minds think alike because when we have guests for dinner we set out glasses and the drinks on it since our ice maker is there! You know I love an organized space! Take care, Donna