Should a pantry have a door?

Yes, pantries typically have a door on them. While you don’t have to have a door on your pantry, having a door gives you several benefits. You can hide a messy pantry. You can use the backside of the door for additional storage. Closing the door helps to control the pantry temperature and humidity level. If you have children or pets, the door can close off the area.

Do you need a window in the pantry?

Most people do not want a window in their pantry. While it could add natural light, it also limits the wall space available for mounting shelves. The window also presents a vulnerable spot that could allow bugs, pests, or rodents to enter your pantry and help themselves to your food.

How do you make a pantry door look good?

Instead of having a bland and boring white door, you can dress it up by painting it a fun color. Adding glass panels to the door can give it a unique look. Buying a salvaged or reclaimed door can give your pantry a rustic or vintage feel.

11 Pantry Door Design Ideas and Styles

You’re redoing your kitchen, and you’ve forgotten one crucial element, the pantry door. It may seem like just another door in your home, but it’s so much more than that.

Because its located in the kitchen, this door will get significantly more use than any other door in the house. It’s also an opportunity to add a personal touch to your home because it’s in a common area of the home.

These pantry door ideas will help you say goodbye to that boring white builder-grade door and upgrade it to something better.

1. Barn Door

A sliding barn door is a hallmark design element of the farmhouse style. These doors aren’t great if you want to create privacy, but they work just fine for a pantry. Barn doors are similar to pocket sliding doors, but they sit on the outside of the wall.

Wooden sliding door revealing shelves with drinks and decor items, two framed pictures on the wall, light wood flooring — Source: @kkddesignco via Instagram

Rustic wooden sliding barn doors open to reveal a pantry filled with various groceries and household items — Source: @marcottesdesign via Instagram

Pantry with a sliding barn door labeled "Grocery and Dry Goods," tile floor, wicker baskets, and a large "Bread" container — Source: @rustyrosefarm via Instagram

Kitchen with a granite island, white cabinets, a sign reading "Mom's Kitchen," flowers, and a sliding barn door marked "Pantry — Source: @the_decorating_chambers via Instagram

Modern kitchen with dark cabinets, marble floor, and a wooden sliding pantry door; three rustic cutting boards hang on the side wall — Source: @statuswood via Instagram

Modern kitchen with a white island, wooden bar stools, sliding pantry door, stainless steel stove, and open shelves with baskets — Source: @heather_bright629 via Instagram

Kitchen with white barn door, stainless steel fridge, and checked tablecloth. Plaque labeled "Kitchen" above doorway — Source: @vintage316studio via Instagram

A white sliding barn door opens to a pantry with white cabinets, jars, and a pot on a wooden counter — Source: @wainwrighthousetohome via Instagram

These doors immediately create a rustic and farmhouse feel, making them great if this is the look you are going for. However, they aren’t suitable for every home.

You need to have enough empty wall space for the door to slide open and out of the way. If you decide that this door style works for your pantry, you can add a DIY barn door. Purchase a reclaimed or salvaged door and mount the tracks on the wall. Then you can hang the door on the track, and you’re ready to go.

2. Blue

Adding color is a big trend in kitchen design. You don’t have to stop with your cabinet doors. Blue is a popular color for kitchen cabinets. Both light and dark blue shades are great choices.

Cozy kitchen corner with light blue pantry door, autumn wreath, and colorful rug featuring an oven, clock, and visible kitchenware — Source: @kimpossibles317 via Instagram

Dark blue pantry and cabinets with gold knobs, frosted glass doors, and wood shelves and countertop in a kitchen setting — Source: @new_oldfarmhouse via Instagram

Dining area with blue barn door, wooden table, red placemats, black chairs, and a built-in kitchen nook with navy cabinets and a microwave — Source: @paintandcheerinteriors via Instagram

Once you choose this color, it’s time to turn towards your pantry door. Paint this door too for an additional accent that will balance the look of your kitchen. Now that you have this base color down, you can add home decor that accents this color. If your current pantry door is a standard wood door, then you can tackle painting the door as a DIY home project.

3. Chalkboard Door

Adding a chalkboard to your laundry room or home office makes sense. However, it can also be a perfect addition to your pantry for kitchen organization.

Kitchen pantry doors with chalkboard surfaces feature drawings and a sangria recipe; a dining table is visible in the background — Source: @basilandtate via Instagram

Cozy kitchen with white cabinets, floral towel, blue hydrangeas, and a chalkboard door saying "Welcome to the Ponds — Source: @rachel_thepondsfarmhouse via Instagram

Kitchen with a blackboard door listing names for an egg hunt; a "Happy Easter" sign stands on the counter — Source: @ravenwoodsfarm via Instagram

While you could paint your entire pantry door, this is a bit excessive. Instead, tape out a square or rectangle on the door. Then add a picture frame to finish the look.

You should also add a shelf or cup to hold chalk. Use your chalkboard to add notes or make a grocery list. If you don’t want this to be visible outside your pantry door, you could put it on the inside. Then you can close the door and hide it when guests come over.

4. Contemporary

For a contemporary kitchen, you have more options. You could have a pocket door that neatly tucks away into the wall. This unique interior door hides away and is ideal for kitchens that don’t have a lot of floor space.

Modern kitchen with a glass pantry door, wooden shelves, black wall lamp, white cabinets, and a stainless steel stove and range hood — Source: @blacksuburbanfarmhouse via Instagram

Modern kitchen with stainless steel fridge, double ovens, wooden door, white cabinets, and a teal kettle on the stove — Source: @the.cambridge.whitehouse via Instagram

Bright kitchen with arched black door, white cabinets, marble countertops, black range hood, and potted plants; fireplace in background — Source: @kristanandcompany via Instagram

Because sliding doors stay inside or next to the wall, you don’t have to make room for it to swing out. This means you can have more storage space inside the pantry because you don’t need the room on the outside. Choose a door with a bit of design, such as raised or sunken panels.

5. Double Door

A kitchen features gray cabinetry with glass doors displaying glassware and crockery, and a doorway opens to a pantry with a sink — Source: @hillfarmfurniture via Instagram

Wooden double doors lead to a pantry with dishes on shelves. A person stands inside, partially visible through the open door — Source: @martin_custom_woodworking via Instagram

Rustic wooden double doors with glass panels partially open, dividing a bright kitchen and another room with a large window view — Source: @martin_custom_woodworking via Instagram

Wooden double doors with glass panes in a partially constructed room, surrounded by unfinished cabinets and building materials — Source: @teamskyxo via Instagram

Using French doors for your pantry means you have to have a wide opening. This is much bigger than the standard pantry opening. It also means you need a lot of floor space for both doors to swing open.

An alternative is to have bi-fold doors. These doors slide on a track to open and close. They also fold in half vertically. This means you can have double doors without them taking up too much room.

6. Farmhouse

Instead of having thee over-done sliding barn door, consider another style of farmhouse door. A split door will give you a farmhouse look and be unique.

A barn-style door with a "Farm Fresh" sign above it, in a hallway with a mirror and wooden flooring — Source: @heidischnellercook_ via Instagram

Rustic kitchen with a "Farmhouse" sign, wooden pantry door, window with a view, and mobile cart holding pots and baskets — Source: @our_home_on_the_ridge via Instagram

A frosted glass pantry door with a wooden X design, set between dark kitchen cabinets and a marbled countertop — Source: @rusticbutterfly via Instagram

When closed, these doors look like any other typical door. There’s a latch that holds the top and bottom half of the doors together on the inside. This allows you to open and close the door like any other in your house.

However, you can undo the latch and move the top and bottom half of the door separately. This lets you open just the top half or the bottom half of the door. With the top open, you can quickly lean over the bottom half and put something on the bottom shelf.

7. Frosted Glass

Replacing your wood door with a frosted glass door upgrades the look of your kitchen. This door style gives your pantry a modern feel without letting people see into your pantry. The benefit of this is that you don’t have to have an organized pantry all of the time.

Open pantry with shelves of jars, baskets, and canned goods; wooden door ajar next to a stainless steel fridge and white cabinets — Source: @happilyeverafterinrosharon via Instagram

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, gray patterned backsplash, and wooden floor; marble island with gray stools and a glass pendant light — Source: @homeonparkssummit via Instagram

Frosted glass pantry door with a vintage-style illustration and the word "Pantry" etched on it, set in a white frame — Source: @on.point.improvements via Instagram

A white door with frosted glass labeled "Pantry" next to a small green plant. Wall sign reads "Coffee Makes It Better — Source: @riverwoodliving via Instagram

A modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel fridge, and a pantry door adorned with wreaths; brown countertops and a white rug — Source: @silveirasfarmhouse13 via Instagram

While the entire door could be frosted, you could also choose one with a design, such as a framework, scrollwork, or custom design. Frosted glass has an advantage over transparent because it won’t show fingerprints.

8. Modern

Modern interior design is all about clean lines and opening a space up. There’s no better way to do this with your pantry door than replacing the solid flat panel door with one that has glass panels. Glass doors put your pantry on full display, kind of like the showpiece in your modern kitchen.

Modern kitchen with a black-framed glass pantry door, white cabinets, and a glass-front cabinet displaying glassware — Source: @ghellermetalworks via Instagram

You could keep the design minimal with a frameless setup or give it a bit of structure with a black frame on it. Be aware that a glass door on your pantry may not be a good option if you have little ones living in your home. You will have to accept the smear marks and fingerprints or constantly clean the door.

9. Rustic

You can have a rustic door on your pantry to add to the overall rustic or farmhouse aesthetic in your kitchen. Look at closet door ideas to get inspired for something different.

Kitchen corner with a wooden pantry door, wall clock, calendar, and herringbone-patterned floor, hooks with a sign above — Source: @cammiscountry via Instagram

A rustic pantry door with white lettering, a checkered clock, a chalkboard menu, and the word "eat" on the wall — Source: @fromtrialtostyle via Instagram

Rustic pantry door with a blackboard design, labeled "Pantry," set in a white kitchen with shiplap walls and a patterned backsplash — Source: @rachel_thepondsfarmhouse via Instagram

White kitchen with a wooden pantry door, black "pantry" sign above, black lamp, white cabinets, and coffee maker on counter — Source: @thelifeoftheposeys via Instagram

Wooden pantry door with glass panes and a "PANTRY" sign, set in a bright kitchen with wood flooring and white walls — Source: @west_and_co via Instagram

Head to your local antique or salvage shop and look for a reclaimed door. These are wood doors that were taken from other buildings. They have a vintage charm to them and show the wear and tear that happens over the useful life of the door. Embrace these imperfections as they will give your kitchen an authentic feel.

10. Vintage

A vintage door can give your kitchen personality and character. There are doors with unique carvings, inlays, or even a painted design.

Antique double wooden doors with ornate wrought iron designs set against a plain wall; trim and flooring are unfinished — Source: @fwheritage via Instagram

Vintage door with frosted glass, adorned with a wreath. Wooden sign above reads, "In the morning when I rise give me Jesus — Source: @wifemompainter via Instagram

What’s nice about vintage doors is that you can find them for any interior design style you want to have. There are stunning art deco doors that have intricate metal geometric shapes.

American craftsman doors have beautiful artistry in their construction. An art nouveau door will have beautiful stained glass set into the wood door. Vintage Chinese doors will have intricate carvings with holes throughout, making them good for a pantry where you need airflow.

11. White

If you have an existing door on your pantry, you may not want to make any changes. You know the door works in your small space, and you don’t want to mess with something that already works.

Modern kitchen with gray cabinets, island, and black chairs; stainless appliances, wood floor, white countertops, and wreath decor — Source: @brickhausdesignco via Instagram

White sliding barn doors with metal handles on a rail, adjacent to a kitchen with white cabinets and an oven, electric drill in view — Source: @creative_sights_n_sounds via Instagram

White pantry door with a black chalkboard labeled "menu" listing days of the week; a grocery list section is below, and decor hangs beside it — Source: @designedwithgraceandjoy via Instagram

White double doors with black handles in a room with light gray walls and wood flooring — Source: @ourfarmhouseinparadise via Instagram

Chic kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel fridge, two stools, and a door with a wreath and "Pantry" sign — Source: @truemanstreasures via Instagram

Instead of trying to get overly creative, head to your local Home Depot or other home improvement store and buy some bright white paint. Then paint your kitchen pantry door and give it a fresh and clean feel. This will make your entire kitchen look and feel brighter because the bright white reflects more light and looks cleaner.

Over time, white paint yellows, so even if you think your pantry door is white, if it has been a few years, it probably isn’t as white as you think it is.