By LINDA PARKER

It’s highly likely that anyone planning a new kitchen at the moment is going to have at least one of two things – a large island (space permitting) and a fabulous, all-encompassing larder or pantry cupboard. Both are invaluable, needless to say. But not all kitchen spaces can accommodate an island, whereas I can’t really imagine a kitchen area that couldn’t accommodate a larder cabinet. So this time, we thought we would highlight some of a favourites to inspire designers, planners and DIYers alike.

My goodness this wonderful example of a breakfast cupboards ticks all possible boxes, and just look at that bench seating and storage too! This sophisticated Shaker-style design is from Life Kitchens and is, in their very own words, ‘an up-to-the-minute expression of the traditional working kitchen’. The whole design features a central island and sharp, geometric lines. The breakfast cupboard shown here has bi-fold doors and houses a built-in coffee machine. This is the place that will hold everyone’s attention first thing in the morning for that first shot of espresso, and perhaps last thing at night for a hot chocolate with frothed milk. All the other breakfast and drinks paraphernalia can also live here too … 

More clever storage ideas from Life Kitchens, this time it’s been dubbed the Refined look, combining in-frame slab doors with dark and pastel paint finishes. We love the open shelving, here shown used for crockery, but it could just as easily be put to use for everyday groceries, condiments and dried goods. Easy-access storage is a must-have in all kitchens, and having things on display is also a very good reason to keep it all neat and tidy too – there’s nowhere to hide! 

We couldn’t resist just one more beautiful storage suggestion from Life Kitchens, this time it’s the Eclectic look, and this is just the larder cupboard – with beautiful natural timber internal fittings and plenty of logical space for all those small jars and packets that need to be corralled into order. 

This classic bi-fold breakfast/appliance cupboard from Martin Moore is one of our favourite kitchens, and we have also featured it as a case study too, so you can read more about it here. This useful space means that appliances can be brought forward to use as needed, with a ready-made space available when in use – and enclosed storage to keep everything neat and clean when not in use. 

The dark interior of this Brayer bespoke kitchen is a lovely detail that makes the interior look focussed and interesting. The breakfasts cupboard itself has plenty of shelf space and includes a custom-made Nespresso pod drawer, what a luxury! See more ideas and completed kitchens from the Brayer Design team here. 

There’s something about a pantry that makes me want to start bottling fruit and pickling vegetables, and generally stockpiling dried goods in gorgeous glass jars and containers. And of course I would need a super-duper pantry, along the lines of those designed by the team at Humphrey Munson. This is the Longford pantry, which as far as I can see, is pretty perfect. 

This is a simple Breakfast Pantry, one that features within a Wimbledon project from Brayer Design. Finishes are in Signal White Matt Lacquer and Dark Stained Oak, a chic combination that works very well indeed for a kitchen that stretches into a family living space with secret doors to a home gym and garage space too. The rest of the kitchen includes features such as a mixer lift and yes, another Nespresso pod drawer (beneath the bread bin).

The fabulous Spenlow kitchen by Humphrey Munson shows how a natural wood finish can also work the look for a breakfast station or coffee cupboard. 

Now of course, we couldn’t even think about beautiful storage, pantry and larder options without mentioning SPACE TOWER. The system is perfect for tailoring storage to fit your needs, with fully extendible drawers allowing accesses from either side (and the front, of course) and full visibility. Not forgetting the maximum use of all the available space, as you don’t need to leave a ‘void’ above each drawer. 

We realise that not everyone may be in the position of choosing and specifying a new fitted kitchen, so within the context of pantries and larders, we thought it useful to make some freestanding suggestions here, which could either provide a quick solution to lack of storage space, or a welcome addition to an existing kitchen. From left; Rustic Mesh Storage Cupboard from Vincent & Barn, in mango wood with a distressed painted finish. The  Newbury Larder Unit in oak from Made.com which could be a smart larder addition to a kitchen that just needs a few more shelves and cupboards. The Industrial Mesh Metal Cupboard in grey, another little gem from Vincent & Barn, is another practical and just-the-job option to add space and storage.  

And finally … we just absolutely had to include this wonderful Jade Marble from Gerald Cullifords. The idea of teaming it with shades of pink (or copper, blush or gold) is simply too much to resist. It’s from around £280 per sq m, but quite frankly, it’s worth it. Just right for a tweak of colour as a splashback, upstand or breakfast bar base.

The Great British Bake Off and really finally … who is looking forward to the new series of GBBO? I don’t always follow it, but having been entranced by the success of Rahul and enjoying his writing and recipes in various magazines, I have decided that this year I’m going to try a bit harder with my baking, and might even try to build a ‘showstopper’ of my own!