This just in: according to Martha Stewart, sculleries are on their way back in style. What used to be a sign of wealth, sculleries are basically overflow kitchens used for food prep and storage so that the primary kitchen stays mess-free for entertaining. In the days of open concept everything, sculleries phased out of style in favor of wide open space and minimalist design. But today, increased storage, prep space, and functionality are back in the forefront.
We’ve worked on our fair share of butlers' pantries and mudrooms, and recently completed a scullery build-out that sparked joy for our functionality-loving team. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Build a Scullery?
In this client project, the family was eager to entertain in their refreshed home. But any frequent entertainer knows the challenges associated with balancing bites on the table and keeping a tidy kitchen. We decided to transform an unused portion of our client’s laundry room into a stunning and functional scullery.
If your home has the space for a tucked-away nook near the kitchen, a scullery offers an excellent opportunity to handle all of the chopping, dirty dishes, and food storage so the kitchen and common spaces remain mess-free.
What to Include
In this client project, counter space and storage were equally important considerations. We added plenty of concealed storage through upper and lower cabinets, and covered them with pretty quartz countertops perfect for prep work.
To maximize the functionality of a scullery, consider adding kitchen essentials like a sink and dishwasher, or go for the full effect like we did here with a second fridge, microwave, and oven to store extra bottles of bubbly and ensure appetizers are always ready to be restocked.
The Design
Despite the scullery being out of the home’s primary focal point, we still took care to design the spaces beautifully. We kept elements like flooring and backsplash neutral and seamless with the rest of the home, while adding a pop of green to cabinetry. Gold hardware and fixtures also added intrigue and elegance throughout the space. Lastly, we sought to display our client’s servingware and collectables on floating shelves and exposed cabinets.
Ready to turn an unused space in your home into a party-ready scullery? Let’s do it.