SCULLERY OR BUTLER'S PANTRY: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

In modern home design, a scullery or butler’s pantry has become a ‘must-have’ feature for those who like to entertain. But what’s the difference between a scullery and a butler’s pantry?

In general terms, a scullery is another small kitchen in itself. It will have space for food preparation, cleaning and washing. It is great for people who like to entertain and a perfect space for caterers to work from in your home. A key attraction of a scullery or butler’s pantry is that it provides a space to hide all of the dishes and mess while the main kitchen is being used as the entertaining hub for serving food and drinks.

The scullery kitchen will also allow you to increase the capacity of your kitchen to cope with cooking for a crowd. While this is fantastic for entertaining, it is also great for larger families or if you have extended family come over for meals frequently. Alternatively, it can be great for couples where you both like to cook, but need your own zone to work in.

A butler’s pantry tends to be a more modest affair and is smaller than a scullery and is usually more of a storage zone with a small preparation area. Effectively, it is a walk-in pantry that may also have storage for small appliances such as toaster, kettle, microwave and limited bench space for food preparation.

Sometimes a butler’s pantry also includes plumbed facilities such as a sink and a dishwasher. This is where the line between a butler’s pantry and a scullery start to blur.

In practice, the terms scullery and butler’s pantry are often used interchangeably. Basically, they both refer to a space that is used as a mini-kitchen of sorts. The features, appliance, space and storage that are designed into the room are generally governed by how much space is available on the floor-plan, balanced against what the homeowner can afford in their budget.

The inclusion of either a scullery or a butler’s pantry in your home renovation is certainly a modern-day luxury. One thing is certain, those that have them, love them!