Pantries have been the ‘it’ interior design choice for the last few years, but in 2026, we’re seeing an updated version of the pantry which feels elevated, fun, and it brings a softer approach to a kitchen.
It’s all about the “bantry” – a multi purpose space that takes the well loved elements from a pantry, and blends them with beverage stations, creating a more social affair, that works.
Don’t worry if you’ve recently renovated, there are easy, up to date changes you can make to your existing pantry, to get onboard with this new rising trend in the interior world.
What Is The “Bantry” Kitchen Trend?
In a nutshell, a “bantry” comprises of the bones of a well known pantry, but with the addition of drink making facilities – be it for your morning coffee, hot chocolate break or a more elevated setup for cocktails in the evening. It’s no longer just a store cupboard, it’s a workable space that’s an extension from your kitchen.
Kiya Kelly-Paine, home design expert, Houzz shared, “We’re seeing growing interest in dedicated drinks and coffee areas within the kitchen, as homeowners look to create spaces that better support everyday routines and entertaining. In our latest UK Kitchen Trends Study, 82% of renovating homeowners are incorporating speciality built-ins, including beverage stations, reflecting this shift towards more tailored, multifunctional layouts.
This aligns with what we identified in our 2025 Emerging Trends Report, where searches on Houzz for terms like ‘coffee station’ and ‘drinks cabinet’ rose significantly year on year, highlighting early demand for these types of features.
While terms like ‘bantry’ are beginning to emerge, the underlying trend is really about designing kitchens around how people live day to day — creating dedicated zones for both practical use and socialising.”
How To Execute The Bantry Trend
The idea of the “bantry” is luckily one that can easily be incorporated into an existing pantry, but if you’re in the midst of designing a kitchen right now, this might be the inspiration you need to switch a few things around with the existing design plans.
A common issue which happens during any renovation, pantry aside is not getting enough plugs installed, and lighting options.
The one thing that might hold you back with adapting an existing pantry is not having any plugs installed for items such as a coffee machine, which can be a costly, and messy installation post initial design work.
When planning a bantry space, lighting choices and plug locations are actually one of the first decisions you need to make. Consider how many appliances you may need to run at a time and let that guide you. It’s almost always better to have more than you need. Plugs are likely to be on show, so do spend the extra money on gorgeous sockets, Corston and The Soho Lighting Co. are my go to.
Lighting doesn’t cause as many problems as it once did, as you can now get lots of stylish lighting options that are battery operated (such as Pooky), both wall lights and table lamps. Both, which I would insist on when creating an ambient bantry space.
Your bantry space should ultimately mirror what you need from it, if you’re a morning person who loves their daily coffee fix then creating an area for your coffee machine and pods will form your element of the ‘bantry’. If you love to entertain and create cocktails, add an area that can house your spirits, fancy glasses, and cocktail menu!
But of course, if you like the best of both worlds, create a section so both of these habits can be enjoyed in your pantry. Larger pantries may feel easier to play around with, but you can have just as much fun in a small pantry cupboard. Organise with bottles, glasses, and use jars to store syrups, fruits and tea bags so everything is visually easy to see.
Perhaps, the key design aspect to nail in a well stocked bantry is organisation, and there’s creative ways to do it well, no matter your drink of choice.
Make like the below, and create a well stocked tea library from a drawer. Or if you prefer the visual aesthetic, label wooden jars and hang a set of mini tongs with them.
The art of a well stocked and organised pantry taps into something within all of us, a well ordered, working space, its visually exciting and romanticises some of our everyday habits, to lead to even more enjoyment in our kitchen.
I think a “bantry” does just that, what’s not to love about it?!
