Coat Closet or Pantry?

I'm going to try and explain this as best as possible so bear with me.

There is a coat closet in the hallway of the house we're in contract with. The back wall of this closet is visible in the kitchen next to the fridge. Right now the current owners just have a picture on it, but I was thinking about maybe turning it into a Pantry instead. I'm not 100% because I don't know the measurements but I have 3 thoughts..

1. Reverse the openings for the closet. I would close up the door in the hallway and make a door in the kitchen instead.

2. If it's long enough, put a wall up straight down the middle so I still have a coat closet in the hall, and a pantry in the kitchen..although both would be small.

3. If it's not long enough, but wide enough, split the closet the opposite way, and have a pull out pantry in the kitchen, and put a smaller door on the closet opening from the hallway.

Thoughts? lol. Does the above even make sense?

Message edited 3/29/2012 4:14:39 PM.

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

I think I get what you are saying.

But it sounds like you would need to cut down the size of your coat closet OR make it much more shallow (unless it's extra deep now, would it really be functional as a coat closet then?).

Personally, I like having a standard size coat closet (wish mine were bigger, not smaller!).

If you absolutely need more storage for pantry items -- is there another closet nearby that could function as one? In my split, there is a huge storage closet in the den (just off the 5 steps that come down from the kitchen), and I keep pantry items and paper goods and less frequently used appliances in there.

Or, you could maybe add a freestanding storage item in your kitchen (a baker's rack or a buffet piece or something?)

I think big closets are always a plus from a value standpoint of a house, and even if you are making 2 out of 1, if they will both be really small, I would say don't do it.

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

Is there anywhere else to conveniently store coats? If there's somewhere else (an area for a couple of hooks for daily coats), then I would convert the closet to a pantry.
We have our coats hanging from hooks in the foyer.

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

Without seeing how much other storage you have, I say split it. My sis has a pantry and I'm always so jealous when we go over there. I'd get hooks for coats since you prob won't be able to use hangers.

Another option would be split it top to bottom but keep the door on both sides.
So on the bottom/lower would be coats and on the top from kitchen would be pantry.

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

i have a pantry, and i love it..i would love to have it even bigger as well

we don't have a coat closet, and we manage just fine

i would say either make it all a pantry, or split it so they're both shallow- you could always put up hooks in the "coat closet" and put baskets on the floor of the closet

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

HMM I am confused on this one.
We have a HUGEEE coat closet and we love it. We didnt have one in our previous house so now that we do I realize how much you need one (well we do).

However we also have a huge pantry next to our fridge and we turned our hall closet into a second pantry (for storage of bulk items, DD's snacks etc) so I would say a pantry is important as well.

Re: Coat Closet or Pantry?

This is the only closet on the first floor and unfortunately, there is no extra space in the kitchen to install a free standing one. There is room in the entry for a coat rack which we'll probably be getting anyway.

I guess when we move in and get settled for awhile we'll see what our needs call for. For resale value we could always convert it back if anything.

Thanks