Why they are so popular
Open-plan living put the kitchen on show. A butler's pantry lets the main kitchen stay clean and styled while the real work — the toaster, the coffee machine, the dirty dishes, the bulk food — happens out of sight.
Common layouts
Walk-through. Kitchen at one end, garage or laundry at the other. Great for bringing shopping in.
Walk-in, single side. Bench and shelves along one wall. Works in narrower spaces.
Walk-in, galley. Benches on both sides. More storage and workspace.
U-shaped. Maximum bench and storage in a squarer room.
Behind the island wall. A partial wall or cabinetry screen behind the main kitchen, with openings at each end.
What to include
- Bench space at a comfortable height.
- Open shelving for everyday items, cupboards and drawers for bulk.
- Appliance zone with plenty of power points.
- Second sink and possibly a dishwasher.
- Fridge or freezer space.
- Lighting — bright, even task light.
- Ventilation — especially if appliances run there.
- A door — pocket sliding or cavity doors save space.
Space planning
A butler's pantry often comes from reworking an old laundry, part of the garage, a walk-in pantry or a dining nook. In 1990s Shire homes, the old corner pantry and laundry are common candidates.
Plumbing and power
A sink or dishwasher needs water and waste. Appliances need circuits sized for the load. Plan them during design, not after cabinets arrive.
Cost
Commonly $8,000–$25,000 added to a kitchen renovation. See the 2026 cost bands.
In the Shire
Butler's pantries are one of the most requested features in Menai, Illawong, Caringbah South and Cronulla renovations. See kitchen design.
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Questions people ask before they commit
What is a butler's pantry?
A butler's pantry — sometimes called a scullery — is a separate room or large walk-in space beside the kitchen, used for food storage, appliances and often prep or washing up, so the main kitchen stays clean and uncluttered.
How big does a butler's pantry need to be?
A usable walk-in butler's pantry is often around 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide with benches on one or both sides. A single-sided pantry can work in about 1.5 metres of width; two-sided layouts need more room to move.
What should go in a butler's pantry?
Common inclusions are a benchtop, open shelving or cupboards for dry goods, an appliance zone with power for the kettle, toaster and coffee machine, a second sink, sometimes a dishwasher or second fridge, and good lighting and ventilation.
How much does a butler's pantry cost?
As a 2026 guide in Sydney, adding a butler's pantry during a kitchen renovation commonly adds $8,000 to $25,000 depending on size, cabinetry, whether it includes plumbing for a sink or dishwasher, and benchtop choice.
Butler's pantry or walk-in pantry?
A walk-in pantry is mainly storage. A butler's pantry adds working space — bench, power and often water — so it can take prep, appliances and washing up out of the main kitchen.