We have a kitchen pantry dilemma on our hands.
It didn’t start out that way but quickly turned into one.
But before I get into all of that, I’m going to start at the beginning.
Here’s our pantry right after I “Dollar Tree” organized it, everything in it’s special place.
Complete with hanging shelves, colorful baskets, and cute boxes.
Just perfect … well kinda.
The kitchen pantry is pretty standard.
Bi-fold doors wire shelves and one major issue …
Two feett of unusable space!
To be exact it’s 64″ x 24″ of wasted space.
Don’t you just love how I have everything stacked as high as I can possibly get it on the top shelf?
So impractical, not only was it nearly impossible to get half of the stuff out, I totally forgot about the other half.
To whoever got us the ice bucket as a wedding present, Thank you and we are sorry it got pushed to the back corner.
(Nobody puts Baby in the Corner!)
So you see our kitchen pantry has been a real annoyance for us since the day we moved into this house.
Fast forward to this past fall we were asked if we would be interested in getting Matt’s Great Grandfather’s antique Hoosier Cabinet.
After a few measurements from his cousin I worked up a drawing and showed Matt.
If we cut out the entire kitchen pantry from floor to ceiling wall to wall, I could get two 12″ cabinets a 24″ deep upper and still have a nice space to slide the hoosier into.
Matt liked the idea and started demo … and then we ran into a problem.

I’m not sure why this was so surprising that we would have an issue in this house, nothing is EVER what we expect it to be!
But we did have a problem.
The pantry area was not framed like I had hoped it would be.
Back to the drawing board.
Drawing #2 allowed for the framing issues but, it would involve more complicated side shelves that would have cut outs to slide back behind the stud frames.
Leaving me with 10″ wide shelves. 10″ may seem adequate but when you still have to account for 1 1/2″ of plywood you really only have an 8.5″ shelf.
I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, that is NOT a good use of the space.
As I was showing Matt this drawing, and we decided that the 10″ shelves wouldn’t work, I realized that the Hoosier cabinet just wouldn’t work as part of the pantry…
Talk about bummed out!
We will find a different place in our home for it, just not where I had dreamed it being!
Oh well, back to the drawing board … Stay tuned!
If you haven’t seen our complete kitchen head over and check out our Kitchen Tour and new Split Faced Tile Backsplash Matt installed.




















Bummer! There are always adventures in DIYing… I’m sure you will find an even better use for that space when it is all said and done!
jenny@birdsandsoap recently posted..He’s the Man!
Well, I can see why you’re bummed. But I gotta be honest. I’m not bummed at all. Because I know your little creative minds will churn out an end-product that is amazing! So, mostly I’m just excited to see what happens!!!!!!!!!!!! Both with the pantry AND with the hoosier! Can’t wait!!!!
Virginia @ LiveLoveDIY recently posted..My Paintings
Yeah, I bet you have a vision! Im sure it will turn out better than ever!!
Our house was built in 1958 so who knows what DIY secrets it might hold … not sure I’m brave enough yet, haha! But I can’t wait to see what you two awesome DIYers come up with!!
keri @ shaken together recently posted..{create this} steamy little Valentines ~ quick gifts for your coffee & tea lovers
Demo!!!! It’s always fun to see things being torn into. It’ll look fantastic when it’s done!!
Janel from NellieBellie recently posted..Recipe: Ginger Tea. a lovefest for your body.
oooo- can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with! It’s disappointing when that ‘perfect idea’ doesn’t work out, but it usually leads to something even better.
Brenda recently posted..ooooo – That’s So Coral!
Walked your shoes just the other day! Our pantry is almost complete now…with some revisions! Can’t wait to see it all come together…know it’ll be awesome!
XO, Aimee
Aimee – It’s Overflowing recently posted..Craft – Decorate – Organize with Mason Jars
Well dang, I was reading this thinking what a great idea putting that cabinet in there was! Sorry it isn’t going to work out…I totally understand your disappointment.
Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection recently posted..Two Year Blogiversary Giveaway
Bummer! I was excited about this idea with you. But such is life, I guess, especially DIY life!
Kelly @ View Along the Way recently posted..The Pros Weigh In: Tips from Home Bloggers on Spouse-Friendly Decorating
Awww… what a bummer. I’m starting to get used to things not going my way in renos too. Just found a big pipe hidden in some cabinetry in our bathroom. Looks like I’m back to the drawing board for that end of the room.
Tia recently posted..The Shape of Inspiration
woah, way to go on that demo, though!!! can’t wait to see what you come up with. btw, love that orange polka dot apron!
Jocie@OPC The Better Half recently posted..How to Make a Classy Boxed Wine Holder
I know you’ll figure out something brilliant-y’all always do!
Melissa-TheHappierHomemaker recently posted..Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Pops
I totally get you. That is how our simple new fridge started out. Until it wouldn’t fit through the door. Then the area we wanted it was too small so we cut a cabinet. Then the cabinet looked bad and we ordered new cabinets, then new counter tops – it snowballed into an awesome complete gut job with a spectacular new kitchen all because of a fridge that made crushed ice.

tammy
tammy recently posted..Hey girl…circa-1929 style
You just opened up a can of worms – but I’m sure your new pantry will be amazing!
Kelly
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage recently posted..Love Birds – Making Simple Birdseed Ornaments
Storage is never in short supply when a well-designed kitchen pantry is just steps away. Thanks for sharing this fabulous kitchen pantry

Jeff Holt recently posted..Photo
When we say kitchen pantry storage, walk-in pantries is my option. Coz this pantries are one of the most requested kitchen features that includes shelves for food storage, cookbooks, small appliance, and wine.