The history of larders and pantries
Larders are an ancient concept that has been around since at least Roman times. They were used to store foodstuffs such as meat, fish, cheese, bread etc., in order to keep them fresh longer. The word ‘larder’ comes from the Latin word lararium which means “a place where animals are kept”. In fact, this was originally just one room within a larger building – but over time, they became more like small self-contained units.
Pantries are also very old concepts. Pantry refers to any kind of cabinet or shelf for storing foodstuff. These cabinets have existed for centuries and there are many variations of design. Some people prefer wooden ones while others go for integrated ones. You will find some with sliding doors and some without. Most modern kitchens now come equipped with built-in pantries.
Freestanding larder or integrated?
There are two main types of larder: integrated and freestanding. Integrated larder units usually sit under the countertop or between existing kitchen cupboards, while standalone ones fit with a kitchen design, but often look slightly different and have their own unique style.
The advantage of a freestanding kitchen larder is that you can take it with you when you move home. Customers become attached to their freestanding larder and it moves with them from home to home, becoming a constant focal point where ever they may live.
The Return of the Modern Larder
Larder cupboards are great because they can be placed anywhere in your home without taking up too much space. They provide easy access to all kinds of things you need on hand at any given moment. They have plenty of storage space and with flexible shelving, they can be adjusted to fit small and large items easily.
Larders were originally used in the kitchen, but nowadays they can be used in any room of the house. A larder is not only useful for keeping your food safe and organised, but it’s also a beautiful addition to your furniture. It adds character and personality to your home.
What makes a Good Larder?
As a company that have been manufacturing larders for retailers for 60+ years between us, we know a thing or two about what makes an excellent larder.
We believe there are several key factors that should always feature in every larder: It’s something we include in every larder we produce for our customers.
Built from the Finest Materials
When choosing your next larder make sure you take note of the materials it is built from. Are you looking for a larder that will last and stand up to the rigours of modern life? Many cheap larders are built from cheap materials that will bend and warp quickly making the drawers stick and doors catch. Make sure you invest in a larder that can cope with constant use and kids open and closing doors all the time.
Our larders are made from tulipwood to give a beautiful lasting finish, this is framed in MDF to strengthen the wood and to stop it twisting or warping. Giving a long-lasting larder cupboard that can be in your family for generations.
Our products are designed to last so you don’t have to worry about replacing them often.
Construction Quality
Our cabinets come preassembled and are delivered and placed in the room of your choice. You don’t need anyone to help you move it off the drive, unpack it or remove any rubbish – we do it all for you.
All joints are made using mortise and tenon joinery and each cabinet features dovetail drawer slides. These allow drawers to slide smoothly across the surface and lock into position.
Storage
It doesn’t matter whether you choose a single door unit or multiple doors, we ensure that everything inside is easily accessible. With plenty of shelves, drawers and additional spice racks, you won’t ever run out of places to stash away those essential ingredients.
Larder Accessories?
A larder is not just an empty box with drawers and doors. A larder should be practical and flexible to fit the modern home. To make a larder a real asset in your home you can choose from the following to make it personal to you and your lifestyle.
Shelving
All our shelving systems include adjustable shelf brackets allowing you to adjust the height of individual shelves according to their contents. You can even add additional shelves later down the line if you wish.
Spice racks
These spice racks are ideal for storing spices and herbs. Not only do they look stylish, but you can fit all sorts of bottles, tins and even cutlery if you so wish.
Pan drawers
Our pan drawers provide deep drawers to fit your small and large pans together. The sliding mechanism makes it easy to easily and quickly access the right pan and looks stylish at the same time. It saves precious floor space and helps reduce clutter.
Modern Larder Style & Design
Finally, consider the look and feel of your new larder. If you prefer something sleek and modern, then choose a contemporary design. Or perhaps you would rather opt for something traditional looking? We have farmhouse style as well as modern shaker style units available.
Farmhouse style suits older houses and gives a rustic cottage feel. Our shaker style gives a traditional style with a contemporary twist and fits in well in a modern kitchen in a town or city.
A larder can add style and uniqueness to your kitchen. It can blend in or be used as a focal or statement piece. The choice of colours, size, handles and style make the larder personal to you and can say a lot about you. Choose something you will be proud of, as well as practical, for years to come.
A Bespoke Larder Cupboard
If you require a design slightly different to fit in with the rest of your kitchen or you have a slightly unusual space a bespoke larder could provide the storage solution you need. We offer a bespoke kitchen larder pantry design that can be tailored to your requirements.