I can hardly believe how far this pantry has come. What started as a cramped, uninspired storage space is now one of my favorite corners in the house – full of personality, function, and a few unexpected details that make it truly special.
Today, I’m sharing the full before-and-after of our pantry renovation, including every DIY step, design decision, and a few lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re planning your own pantry makeover or just love a good transformation, I hope you’ll find inspiration here.
Designing Our New Pantry With A Purpose
After finishing our kitchen renovation (you can see the full reveal here), I knew I wanted the pantry to do more than just store – it needed to be highly functional and visually connect to our new kitchen.
In our home, the butler’s pantry really acts as an extension of the kitchen. It’s where we keep all our food, small appliances, and extras – like a drink station, a second oven, microwave, ice maker, workstation sink, filtered RO water system, trash pull-out, and even our medicine cabinet. We originally considered having our contractor finish this space, but by taking on the work ourselves, we saved between $10,000 and $12,000!
We bought the Monarch Colonial fixer-upper because we loved the lot, location, schools, and size, even though we knew it would need a lot of work. Our renovation budget came from selling our previous (fully renovated and larger) home, so every dollar needed to be spent wisely.
The Before: We Didn’t Have A Pantry!
Our Monarch Colonial home is almost 6,000 square feet, but did not come with a pantry! When we redid our floor plan (read the post with all the details here), one of the biggest aspects was creating a space dedicated to becoming a pantry.
We relocated our original laundry room (now we have two separate laundry spaces) and reframed this area to become a 10 x 13-foot butler pantry!
The After: A Dreamy, Functional Pantry
The after is exactly what I dreamed of! Fun, functional, and with that grandmillenial flair I love so much.
The Monarch Revival Pantry Remodel Costs:
A lot like our kitchen, renovating our pantry was no small cost, and it’s important to me to be honest in the price I paid for materials so you can help make your renovation budget. For this space, I prioritized the countertops (just like our kitchen) along with installing my dream rolling ladder. To cut costs, I prioritized budget options, like the RTA cabinets.
By spending wisely and saving where I could, I made my dream project happen without overspending. I hope my experience helps you feel more confident about your own renovation budget.
Lighting:
- Light fixtures: $1,000
- Under-cabinet lighting: $120
Hardware & Accessories:
- Unlacquered brass hardware: $2,200
- Rolling ladder: $2,900
Materials & Finishes:
- Marble tile flooring: $2,900
- Countertops: $7,300
- Miscellaneous materials: $500
Cabinetry:
- Cabinetry: $13,500
Appliances & Plumbing:
- Appliances: $5,300
- Plumbing: $1,240
Pantry Renovation Steps:
- Install RTA cabinets & countertops
- Bring in plumbing
- Add lincane sheets
- Install gold hardware
- Bring in a rolling library ladder
- Add wallpaper for personality
- Upgrade lighting
Install RTA Cabinets & Countertops
Once again, I started a renovation with ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets to get a custom look without paying an arm and a leg. Since I’ve already done white cabinets in the kitchen, I went with the timber green shaker style. Now RTA doesn’t have this specific color, but you can provide them with a hex code that matches the color you want! To get the Sherwin Williams green color I love, I used code: 02-32064-128.
What I love so much about RTA cabinets is how heavy-duty the wood is – they feel and look much more expensive than they are.
If you want to read more about my experience with RTA cabinets, check out my post: RTA Cabinets Review | How I’ve Made Them Look Custom.
For the countertops, I wanted something that would both complement the cabinetry and add a unique touch to the space. I chose Breccia Rosa marble from Southern Stone, which has a beautifully subtle blend of neutrals with delicate pink veining. The soft pink undertones not only tie in perfectly with the wallpaper but also add a little warmth and personality without overwhelming the room. Just like in our kitchen, I believe countertops can be both practical and a standout design.
Pro Tip: Don’t shy away from bringing color into your space! I used to avoid it altogether, but once I discovered which tones I truly love – soft pastels and muted shades – my rooms instantly felt more layered and vibrant. Finding your favorite palette can make such a difference and really enrich your home. Now, I’m the type of person who has a green pantry!
Bring In Plumbing
In our previous kitchen, we dedicated an entire area just for water and drinks – a true lifesaver with five active boys in sports with oversized water jugs. Fortunately, since the space had previously served as a laundry room, we already had water lines in place.
When we installed our cabinets, we simply cut openings in the base where the sink would go. After that, we brought in a plumber to handle the sink installation, making the setup really convenient for our everyday lives.
Add Aluminum Venetian Bronze Lincane Sheets
For a touch of texture and a nod to the vintage grandmillenial charm I love, I installed aluminum lincane sheets in a venetian bronze finish on some of the upper cabinet doors. This detail adds depth and a subtle shimmer, breaking up the solid cabinetry and making the storage feel extra special.
Pro Tip: Never underestimate the power of metal! Even a small metallic accent like lincane sheets can make a space feel more vibrant and luxurious, no matter your budget. Metals reflect light, add depth, and create visual interest, giving your room that “designer” touch without the designer price tag.
Install Gold Hardware
Gold hardware is my go-to for bringing elegance and warmth to any space. Using both drawer pulls and knobs provided contrast against the timber green is stunning, and it ties in beautifully with the other gold accents throughout our home. Don’t underestimate the impact of hardware – it’s expensive, functional, and looks gorgeous.
Pro Tip: If you want your space to feel truly elevated, consider gold hardware. Gold handles and knobs don’t just add warmth – they act as instant focal points, catching the light and drawing the eye.
Bring In A Rolling Library Ladder
A rolling library ladder has been my dream to include in a renovation, and I finally found the perfect place! The rolling ladder not only makes it easy to reach the highest shelves, but it also adds a bit of drama and old-world charm. It’s a practical solution that feels like a design statement.
Pro Tip: If there’s a feature you’ve always dreamed of, don’t be afraid to invest in it, even if it means allocating more of your budget to that one element. The key is to balance bigger ticket items by saving on other areas, such as by keeping the flooring the same, like we did.
Add Wallpaper For Personality
Anytime I get the chance to install Monarch Home Goods wallpaper in a new renovation, I jump on it! For this renovation, I chose to go with the Bryton wallpaper because it has gorgeous green and pink details that would complement the cabinets without taking any attention away.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid of wallpaper! So many people are, but there is no greater way to add color and richness than choosing a patterned wallpaper that you love.
Upgrade Lighting
Swapping out the old light fixture for a more stylish semi-flush gold mount made an immediate difference. Good lighting is essential in a pantry – both for function and for making the space feel inviting. Best of all, the gold in the light matched the gold cabinet hardware. It is the perfect finishing touch.
Pro Tip: Swapping out lighting is much easier than you might expect – even if you’ve never done it before! With just a few basic tools and a little patience, you can replace an outdated fixture in under an hour.
Pantry Renovation Sources:
- Timber green RTA shaker cabinets (use code SAMPLESMN for free sample doors!)
- Bronze lincane sheets
- Breccia Rosa Marble countertops
- Maverick Green marble tile floors
- Monarch Home Goods Bryton wallpaper
- Gold faucet
- Rolling library ladder
- Under-cabinet lighting
- Gold semi-flush lighting mount
- Gold picture light
- Oval cabinet knob with rectangle backplate
- Gold cupboard latch
- Gold ball knobs
- Gold knob backplate
- Gold pulls
Pantry Renovation Before and After: A Pantry That Works (and Wows)
This DIY pantry renovation turned a forgettable space into one of the most functional and beautiful spots in our home. Every time I open the door, I’m reminded that even the smallest spaces deserve thoughtful design and a little bit of magic.
Compared to the national average for a high-end pantry remodel (which can easily top $40,000–$50,000), our DIY approach made this dream space possible for much less. We maximized every square foot and tailored the design to our lifestyle, proving you don’t have to sacrifice style for function, or break the bank to get both.
If you’re dreaming of your own pantry makeover, I hope this transformation inspires you. Have questions about the process or want to share your own pantry project? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear from you! And to keep up with the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
Leave a Reply