POLL: Pantry doors....

[simpsongal]

I haven't posted much about our kitchen reno.  We're in the middle and I'm hitting cost/decision fatigue. 

I had planned to put 14" outswing french doors on the pantry.  Pantry is quite visible from many points, so I'd like to make it look decent.   But I have a pre-hung 24" door I could reuse for free from our old pantry.  If I did the 24" door I'd make it swing into the pantry and the door opening would obviously be a little smaller. I expect we'd have the pantry door(s) open 95% of the time....

Cost of the french doors is about $1300.  They'd look something to this: www.etsy.com/listing/723451039/custom-french-pantry-doors-double-french  For reference, cabinets are a mix of stained walnut and painted maple.

ETA: excuse all the typos...feels apropos for a reno post

ETA2: Pantry dimension is a little less than 5 ft wide, and less than 7 ft deep (though one side in the back has the fridge recessed into it, so that makes it a slightly odd shape. 

[mala]

How big is the pantry?

[Susie]

In the grand scheme of what you are probably spending on this kitchen, using the old door, with a different size opening that you can't readily convert later, will drive you bananas within a very short period.  

I would build it to receive the French doors and leave it doorless, sooner than build it to take a hand-me-down door that isn't what you want.  You can add the French doors later if it's a budget issue.

ETA:  I'm assuming part of the advantage of the French doors vs. single door is that the out swing is minimized so it doesn't impact traffic as much, which is valid.  But I think in swing would be annoying unless the pantry is huuuuge.

[dexteroni]

I would reuse the single door. The double door you linked is really pretty, but opening two tiny doors every time you need something is going to get old real fast. Plus I’m assuming the door you already have is a solid door, and I wouldn’t want my pantry on display at all times. Get a pretty wreath and it’ll look great.

[dancingirl21]

I would do the French doors since you will see them. They are beautiful! My SIL has a pantry with a door that swings in and she hates it. It blocks that whole side the door swings into.

[dexteroni]

Nov 29, 2023 15:23:59 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I expect we'd have the pantry door(s) open 95% of the time....

Just noticed this, and IMO it’s another check in the single inswing door column. You won’t want doors opened out into your kitchen all the time.

[Roc A Bee]

I would hate a door that would swing into the pantry. I also hate my pantry doors being open all the time. It’s so messy. I think you should do the doors as linked.

[followyourarrow]

A door swinging in would make me crazy, you'll lose useability that way. The windows on the french doors are gorgeous, but I'd hate anyone seeing into my pantry, but mine is small and a disaster despite best efforts. I'd probably do as Susie suggests and wait and get the doors you want.

[k3am]

If the doors are going to be open all the time, why not just build a cased opening and call it a day?

(I don't have pantry issues, pantries like this don't exist in my world)

[mel]

Is a pocket door an option? If not, I'd do the French doors. Get the windows frosted so you can't see into the pantry and try to get into the habit of leaving the doors closed (I'm not being snarky at all, but why are they always open?). An in-swing pantry door would drive me bonkers.

[simpsongal]

mel, no - too electrical in the walls.....

I'm just burning out on envisioning and planning things. Maybe I should try to keep the doors closed more often.

[expectantsteelerfan]

Why would the pantry door be open so much? Pic of the door you already have? We have a walk-in pantry, and we just have a normal door on it that looks the same as the door to the hall closet, the hall bathroom, the laundry room, etc., but it is closed except when someone is getting food from it. It opens out though, and I think it would impede getting a lot of the stuff from it if it opened in.

[ECB]

I voted to go with the French. My first thought to a swing in door was “but won’t that block one side of the pantry?”, and others addresses that.

Redoing your kitchen is a big deal. This is what you wanted - i say see it through.

[lilac05]

If you are accustomed to keeping the pantry doors open, I’d have them make a doorway large enough to host the French doors, but hold off on install, if budget is an issue.

I would hate having a swing-in door…to get anything behind it, you have to shut yourself in the pantry. This would be my last choice.

Another option is to do the 24” swing out, and just keep it closed. Our pantry door completely blocks another door when opened, so…we just keep it shut.

[mcsangel2]

I would absolutely not get doors that swing inward, and I think double doors are going to be more annoying than a single door will be.

[momin2013]

I would re-use the single door, definitely NOT have it swing into the pantry, and keep it closed. I only open our pantry door (which swings outward) when I go into the pantry, otherwise it’s closed at all times.

[jlt19]

Is there potential room for a double hung door on rollers? That would alleviate impeding traffic and looks nice when left open.

Something like this?

www.etsy.com/listing/1220232567/

[UMaineTeach]

Swing in sounds like a bad idea.

I would probably cruise the internet for attractive bi-fold door two panel doors (so one door, I’m seeing many double door, four panel ones, that would be too much)

We have an un-attractive bi-fold door on our pantry that is easy open/close and doesn’t take up space when open. But I’m sure there are nice options.

[sonrisa]

Nov 29, 2023 19:13:06 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

Is there potential room for a double hung door on rollers? That would alleviate impeding traffic and looks nice when left open.

Something like this?

www.etsy.com/listing/1220232567/

I'm not usually big on barn door style doors, but I agree with jlt that is the perfect option if you have room. They look nice when left open, aren't in the way, and also nice when closed.(If there is something out there at an okay price point). 

[heygrey]

I would reuse the 24" door, but have it swing out.

Why do you think you'll keep the door open most of the time? We have a large pantry cupboard with double doors that are each 15" wide. I can't imagine keeping them open. It would take up too much space in our walking area and, despite being very organized, it always looks a little bit cluttered. Even if you're family isn't great at closing and latching the door, I'd much prefer the look of a single, nearly closed door. Two doors that are sort of haphazardly open would bother me visually.

[sonrisa]

I'm amused that instead of assuming you know your family and have a reason for saying the doors will be open, so many people are arguing with you that it won't or shouldn't be.

[mrsukyankee]

Is it possible to have it build to use a pocket door instead? That way you don't have to worry about the door swinging in or out, which allows you to use all the spaces in and around the doorway.

[simpsongal]

Nov 29, 2023 22:32:10 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

I'm amused that instead of assuming you know your family and have a reason for saying the doors will be open, so many people are arguing with you that it won't or shouldn't be.

haha, honestly this thread is just reinforcing that it’s a tricky decision. 🤪

I think I’m leaning 24” in swing. I’m probably being a little unrealistic re how pretty my pantry will be to have it on display. I want my stand mixer on a rolling cart, so I’d probably keep that behind the door along with less frequently used baking items.

I could always change it one day….

[simpsongal]

Nov 30, 2023 3:06:47 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Is it possible to have it build to use a pocket door instead? That way you don't have to worry about the door swinging in or out, which allows you to use all the spaces in and around the doorway.

nah, too much electrical in the walls on both sides. Good thought though.

A couple folks suggested barn doors but they’re nms and wouldn’t match the house well.