Our Hallway Pantry

Re-imagining a hallway

When we purchased our 1978 multi-level home 22 years ago, the lower level hallway was made up of three side-by-side closets with bifold doors and rough, 2×4 and plywood shelves. I sketched up a rough idea of my ideas, and found a photo online of something similar to my drawing, then handed it over to a cabinet maker and our contractor to make my ideas reality, making the hallway. Redesigning this space was our first major project after moving in.

The cabinetry provides concealed storage for dry goods, small appliances, and cleaning supplies, while a maple countertop adds both function and character. I used seeded glass for the middle upper cupboard, which breaks up the long wall of cabinets, and gives me a place to showcase some favorite dishes. The lower cabinets have pull-outs and the end cabinet is a broom/utility closet. The back hallway now feels intentional and useful — and has a more spacious feel.

Keeping a hard working space tidy

Because the pantry sits just off the garage entry, the countertop has the potential to become an easy landing spot for mail, backpacks, bags, and the odds and ends of daily life. To keep it from turning into a catch-all, I’m being mindful about styling. I’ve noticed since I’ve styled the counter giving it a defined look, it feels more finished rather than empty and available — which helps it stay tidy. It does take a bit of commitment to keep it tidy – but it is so worth the effort.

Hallway Floor Plan

To explain our home layout in this area a little more clearly, we have both a front and a back stairway. The front stairway is located in the foyer just off the main entry, while the back stairway leads down to the lower level from the great room and kitchen area. At the bottom of the back stairs, a hallway connects several hardworking spaces — stairs to the basement, the garage entry, a bathroom, a small office, and the laundry room, all are directly opposite the pantry wall. The back hall also provides a passage through to the foyer and basement stairs making it a well-traveled corridor in our daily routine. Because it connects so many functional areas, it made perfect sense to transform the former closets along this wall into a dedicated pantry and broom closet that better serve the way we actually move through and use this area.

It is incredibly convenient to have the pantry located right where we enter our home with groceries. Instead of carrying bags through multiple rooms, we can step in from the garage and unload everything directly into its place. We also have a freezer and extra fridge right outside the garage door. The placement of the pantry has made everyday routines — from grocery hauls to quick milk and bread runs — feel so much more efficient.

To make the space even more functional and fun, we hung a vintage chalkboard at kid height for doodles, pictures and sweet messages from our grandchildren, with a second chalkboard above it for reminders as we head out the door. It’s a simple addition, but it adds both charm and practicality to one of the most used hallways in our home.

In the process of pulling this post together, I’ve been playing with the idea of a full photo home tour or even a video walkthrough. There’s something so different about seeing a space in stills versus seeing it move. Are you someone who loves to zoom in on the curated details of a photo, or do you prefer the flow and energy of a video tour?

Finding joy in the process,