This question is increasingly being posed to us during the design process. A scullery or butler’s pantry has become a ‘must-have’ feature in modern home design for those who enjoy entertaining.
Many homeowners are not sure which room they should choose between a butler’s pantry and a scullery. Both rooms serve a similar purpose of storing dishes and food items, but they have their own distinct features that make them unique. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between the two and which one you should choose for your kitchen.
The popularity of sculleries and butler’s pantries is most likely due to the popularity of open-plan living. With open-plan living, our kitchens are smack dab in the middle of the room. This means that all of the mess and dishes that come with cooking and entertaining are also in the spotlight.
Sculleries, on the other hand, could be seen as a throwback to the days of the old English manors. The main difference nowadays is that few of us can afford the downstairs staff that used to come with the sculleries.
What is a Scullery?
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In general, a scullery is a small kitchen in and of itself. There will be room for food preparation, cleaning, and washing. It is ideal for people who enjoy entertaining and a great place for caterers to work from in your home.
Features of Scullery
A scullery is a larger room than a butler’s pantry and is typically used to store large kitchen appliances and items used infrequently. It is also used as a staging area for food preparation and storage. The walls of a scullery are usually made from brick or stone and can be painted to match the existing kitchen cabinets.
The shelves and cupboards in a scullery are usually made from wood, metal, or plastic. They are designed to hold large kitchen appliances, such as a dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. The drawers and hooks are often made from plastic or stainless steel and can store items like dishes, glasses, and silverware.
Key advantages and Benefits of a Scullery Pantry
A scullery and butler’s pantry are appealing because it provides a place to hide all of the dishes and mess, while the main kitchen is used as an entertaining hub for serving food and drinks.
The scullery kitchen will allow you to expand your kitchen’s capacity to accommodate cooking for a large group. While this is great for entertaining, it is also ideal for larger families or if you have extended family over for meals regularly. Alternatively, it can be ideal for couples who both enjoy cooking but require their own space to work.
A scullery is a great way to add additional storage space to your kitchen without expanding the existing kitchen cabinets. It is also a great way to house large kitchen appliances and items that are used infrequently. The walls of a scullery are usually made from brick or stone and can be painted to match the existing kitchen cabinets.
The shelves and cupboards in a scullery are usually made from wood, metal, or plastic. They are designed to hold large kitchen appliances, such as a dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. The drawers and hooks are often made from plastic or stainless steel and can store items like dishes, glasses, and silverware.
A scullery is also a great way to create a more organized look in your kitchen. The shelves and cupboards can be used to store food items and dishes, while the drawers and hooks can store larger items like pots and pans. The walls of a scullery can also be used to hang items like aprons and kitchen towels.
What is a Butler’s Pantry?
A butler’s pantry is typically smaller than a scullery and serves as more of a storage area with a small preparation area. It is a walk-in pantry with storage for small appliances such as a toaster, kettle, and microwave and limited bench space for food preparation.
A butler’s pantry may include plumbed amenities such as a sink and a dishwasher. The distinction between a butler’s pantry and a scullery begins to blur here.
Features of Butler’s Pantry
A butler’s pantry is a great way to add additional storage space to your kitchen without expanding the existing kitchen cabinets. It is also a great way to hide small appliances and other items that are not used daily. This room usually has shelves, cupboards, drawers, and hooks to help you organize your items.
The shelves and cupboards in a butler’s pantry are usually made from wood or metal and can be customized to match the style and color of your kitchen. They are typically painted to match the rest of the kitchen cabinets. The drawers and hooks are often made from plastic or stainless steel and can store items like dishes, glasses, and silverware.
Benefits of Butler’s Pantry
A butler’s pantry is a great way to create a stylish and organized look in your kitchen. The shelves and cupboards in a butler’s pantry can be customized to match the style and color of your kitchen. The drawers and hooks can be used to store items like dishes, glasses, and silverware.
A butler’s pantry is also a great way to entertain guests in your home. It is the perfect place to set up a mini-bar for parties and gatherings. The shelves and cupboards can be used to store bottles of wine and liquor and other items like glasses and cocktail shakers.
Difference Between Butler’s Pantry and Scullery
A butler’s pantry is a small room typically located near the kitchen. It has shelves, cupboards, and drawers that store dishes, glasses, and other food items. It is also used to house small appliances like the toaster or the microwave. It is often used as a staging area for entertaining guests and as a mini-bar.
On the other hand, a scullery is a larger room near the kitchen. It is typically used to store large kitchen appliances, such as a dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. It is also used as a staging area for food preparation and as a secondary storage area for food and dishes.
Pros and Cons of Butler’s Pantry vs. Scullery
As said earlier, a butler’s pantry is a great way to add additional storage space to your kitchen without having to expand the existing kitchen cabinets. However, a butler’s pantry is usually only large enough to store a few dishes and glasses, and it may not be able to accommodate larger kitchen appliances.
A scullery is a perfect way to add additional space to utilize your kitchen. It is also a great way to house large kitchen appliances and items that are used infrequently. However, a scullery is usually larger than a butler’s pantry and may not fit in some kitchens.
Cost Comparison of Butler’s Pantry and Scullery
There are a few factors to consider when it comes to the cost of a butler’s pantry or a scullery.
A butler’s pantry is typically less expensive than a scullery since it is usually smaller in size and requires fewer materials. However, the cost of a butler’s pantry will vary depending on the size of the room and the materials used.
A scullery is usually more expensive than a butler’s pantry since it is usually larger in size and requires more materials. The cost of a scullery will also vary depending on the size of the room and the materials used.
So, what is the REAL difference between a scullery and a butler’s pantry
The terms scullery and butler’s pantry are frequently used interchangeably in practice. Essentially, they both refer to a space that serves as a mini-kitchen. The room’s features, appliances, space, and storage are generally governed by how much space is available on the floor plan and what the homeowner can afford in their budget.
A scullery or butler’s pantry in your home renovation is unquestionably a modern-day luxury. One thing is certain: those who own them adore them.
When deciding whether you need or want a scullery or butler’s pantry, consider why you need or want it. I would then strongly advise hiring a professional kitchen designer to plan your space properly.
No matter which room you choose, a butler’s pantry or a scullery, it is important to consider the features, benefits, and costs of each room before making a decision. With the right design and materials, you can create a stylish and organized look in your kitchen.
What is a Larder?
A modern-day larder can be an enormous pantry, which can preserve your dry goods, fridge, and freezer and also accommodate your less-used kitchen appliances. In contrast to sculleries and butler’s pantries, which are still popular, a larder is fantastic if you want to maintain a fully-stocked pantry at all times and don’t want your fridge and freezer to gobble up space in the main kitchen. Freeing up the benchtop is a big advantage of this.
Why are kitchen extensions so popular?
The extended kitchen is becoming more and more popular. A larger kitchen makes cooking a lot more fun. A kitchen with a prominent position in the home can make for a fantastic gathering spot for friends and family. It’s not just about cooking anymore; modern kitchens are more about entertaining. The kitchen is always the center of attention, whether it’s dinner for the family or guests. Modern kitchens are no longer just about cooking; they are also about entertaining.
Should I have a walk-in pantry or a butler’s pantry? How are they different?
A walk-in pantry and a butler’s kitchen are similar but different. A pantry is typically used to store only dry goods. A butler’s pantry, on the other hand, will usually include some kitchen functionality, such as a dedicated area to use a coffee machine, microwave, or an additional sink alongside a benchtop for food preparation.
Should you put your fridge in a butler’s pantry or scullery?
A refrigerator should be placed where all family members can easily access it. As a result, storing it in the scullery or butler’s pantry may be impractical. Some homeowners opt for a fridge in the kitchen and a separate fridge in the scullery. When entertaining, the fridge in the scullery becomes more of a drinks fridge and a place to store food platters. The fridge in the kitchen then serves as the primary ‘working fridge,’ containing all of the food and beverages required for daily living.
What is a hidden scullery or hidden butler’s pantry?
A butler’s pantry or scullery can be concealed or hidden with clever design. This can be done with clever cabinetry where the door looks like a cupboard, or by simply having a separate door to the room. The main thing with a scullery or butler’s pantry is that it is meant to be hidden! That’s the whole point, so you can close the door on the mess and dishes and hide them all away from view.
What is a scullery pantry?
A perfect scullery is where you can store your food and cook it quickly and easily with the best tools available. A busy family might need such an essential addition to their kitchen when they entertain frequently or have large guests who like cooking too!
What is considered a butler’s pantry?
The butler’s pantry is a smart storage solution that can be found in homes of all sizes. It traditionally serves as the intermediary room between your kitchen and dining room, which allows more flexibility when it comes to cooking or hosting guests without having too many doors blocking access out into these areas from where you are working on them at any given time!
Is a scullery the same as a butler’s pantry?
In the olden days of the English manor, the butler’s pantry would ensure that food was prepared in a fashionable manner before it was sent out to the household and their guests. A butler’s pantry is smaller and more modest than a scullery.
What is a modern scullery?
Scullery brings to mind a dimly lit medieval wash chamber where knights would prepare their swords and shields. However, we don’t have knights and medieval times, so scullery now means a modern-day kitchen, usually located in the kitchen of a large country house or a large apartment.
What is the purpose of a scullery?
A scullery is a small kitchen or room at the back of the house where dishes and other dirty household chores are washed. In the past, sculleries were most often found in Victorian- and turn-of-the-century houses, as the kitchen was not to be seen.
How big should a scullery be?
A 3m x 2m (10 ft x 6.5 ft) scullery would be enough space, but a double bench top would dramatically improve the practicality if more space is available (3m x 3m).
Is a scullery a good idea?
A scullery is a fantastic addition to your main kitchen. It has a washing-up sink and serves as a room for food preparation and messes. Food and small appliances are also conveniently stored here.
What should a butler’s pantry have?
- Easily utilizable storage systems
- Bench space
- Power points
- Durable materials
- Fridge and freezer
- Cooking appliances
Do people still use butlers?
With white gloves, a butler’s suit is still part of traditional service, as well as being ornamental. Although butlers do still exist, times have changed. As a result, the butler profession has modified and evolved! You may be shocked to hear this, but butlers are still important to contemporary life.
Why is it called a scullery?
In the United Kingdom and America, houses constructed before 1920 commonly featured a scullery in their rear. Derived from the Latin word “scutella,” meaning tray or platter, these areas were especially beneficial for affluent families who frequently entertained guests – as it allowed them to tidy and store expensive china and silverware with ease.
Experienced Executive Assistant with a demonstrated history of working within the furniture industry. Skilled in furniture styling, visual communication, project management, and proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite. Strong arts and design professional with a (BA) Creative Direction for furniture design focused on Industrial Design from School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
