The hidden luxury of a larder: how to create a beautiful pantry in any home

There is something wonderfully indulgent about a larder. A room of one’s own for storing provisions, kitchen appliances, and keeping the everyday workings of the kitchen beautifully in order. Yet a larder need not be grand to feel luxurious.

Whether or not you have space for a dedicated walk-in pantry, you can make almost any space work.  A slim cupboard beside the kitchen, or a cleverly repurposed under-stairs nook, a larder is one of the most practical and satisfying spaces in the home… and fun to decorate too.

A wonderful place to explore colour

Because a larder is often tucked away, it is an ideal space to be more adventurous with colour.

Warm yellows, such as Persian and deep blues like Saxony can turn a practical room into a delightful hidden jewel. Alternatively, softer greys (Flaxen Grey) and blues (Duck Egg)  can create a calm and inviting backdrop for natural materials such as wood, wicker and ceramic.

For kitchen colour inspiration, visit Kitchens: Calm or Colourful and explore the beautiful palette from Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.

What makes a larder so useful?

A larder performs two invaluable functions.

1. Out-of-the-way storage
   It keeps the kitchen calm and uncluttered, housing everything from dry ingredients and preserves to small appliances, serving pieces and household essentials.
2. A practical preparation space
   A simple worktop creates a useful area for baking, arranging flowers, or preparing food away from the bustle of the main kitchen.

In many homes, the larder also provides a crucial third role, as a discreet utility room, accommodating a washing machine, tumble dryer, or laundry supplies behind closed doors.

If you don’t have a larder

Even if there is no spare room, the principles of a larder can still be incorporated into your home.

In the kitchen, a tall fitted cupboard can serve as a dedicated larder, with shelves for dry goods, drawers for utensils and a small countertop for preparing food or storing everyday appliances neatly out of sight. Experiment with colour in your larder. Match the inside and out for colourful continuity in one of our statement colours like Invisible Green or introduce the element of surprise with a different colour inside. An unexpected pairing of London Brown and Azurite as illustrated below is a combination you will never tire of.

A washing machine can be housed very successfully in a bathroom, concealed behind painted joinery or a linen curtain so that it feels discreet and considered rather than purely functional.

A well-designed larder, however modest, brings a sense of quiet luxury to everyday living. It’s proof that the most useful spaces are often the most cherished. So once you’ve found the space, it’s time to think about the colour.

If you want some help with your colour choices, get in touch with our wonderful colour consultants who are on hand to help.