Our very first home remodeling project was building a pantry into a weird open area and doing our own DIY double pantry doors on it. I absolutely love how they turned out!
Our home may not be perfect, but it’s exactly what we were looking for at the time. It had nothing wrong with it, but there were definitely things we wanted to do to it cosmetically to make it fit our style and function.
DIY Pantry Makeover:
Turning an Empty Closet Into a Fully Functional Farmhouse Pantry
(Plus Easy DIY Double Pantry Doors!)
Every home has that one awkward space — the spot you walk past and think “One day, I’m going to make something out of this.”
For us, that space turned into our very first home remodeling project: transforming an odd, open closet area into a functional walk-in pantry… and building our own DIY double farmhouse pantry doors to finish the look.
It was messy, a little chaotic, and completely worth it.
We learned as we went, embraced the imperfections, and created a pantry that fits our home and lifestyle beautifully — especially because, as a short person, reaching deep into upper cabinets simply wasn’t cutting it anymore!
So off we went to build a pantry from scratch. And friend… it turned out better than we imagined.
Why We Needed a Pantry Remodel (and Why You Might, Too)
Our home wasn’t broken — it simply didn’t function the way we needed it to.
The open closet-sized nook in our kitchen was catching clutter instead of helping us stay organized.
We wanted:
- A designated food storage space within arm’s reach
- Shelves deep enough for bulk items but organized enough not to lose things
- A farmhouse-inspired look that tied in with the rest of our DIY projects
- A solution that didn’t involve relying on high cabinet shelves I could barely reach
A closet-to-pantry conversion checked every box.
Step 1: Evaluating the Space
The first thing we did was measure the nook and sketch out how many shelves we wanted. You’d be shocked how much usable space you already have — vertical space, especially!
Pro Tip:
✔ Always measure for the biggest container you plan to store before you build shelves.
No one wants to rebuild because a cereal box didn’t fit.
Step 2: Building Custom DIY Pantry Shelves
This was the fun part — and the part where we realized how much difference well-planned shelving makes.
What we used:
- 1×12 or 1×10 pine boards (depending on your preferred depth)
- Simple wall brackets or 1×2 support cleats
- Screws + anchors
- Stain or paint to match your style
How we built the shelves:
-
Cut your boards to size.
We chose a mix of shallow and deep shelves to avoid that “pantry cave” where items disappear forever. -
Install your supports.
If you use cleats, install them into studs or add anchors. -
Lay and secure the shelves.
A simple drill and level go a long way. -
Stain or paint.
We went with a warm, farmhouse-style wood tone — timeless and cozy.
SEO tip woven in: DIY pantry shelving is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to boost kitchen organization without spending thousands.
Step 3: Building Our DIY Double Farmhouse Pantry Doors
These doors might be my favorite project we’ve done. We knew a traditional door wouldn’t work well, so we created farmhouse-style double doors that swing open and instantly elevate the space.
Materials we used:
- Plywood or tongue-and-groove boards
- 1×4 framing trim
- Hinges
- Black hardware for that classic farmhouse touch
- Stain or matte paint
Basic method:
- Build the frame using 1×4s to create the classic farmhouse “X” or “Z” pattern.
- Attach panels to the back to form the door face.
- Sand everything until smooth.
- Finish with paint or stain — white, espresso, or natural wood are classic farmhouse choices.
- Hang the doors using simple hinges and your favorite rustic hardware.
These doors instantly transformed the entire kitchen. They look custom, feel sturdy, and cost a fraction of what pre-made double doors run.
Step 4: Organizing the New Pantry
Once the dust settled (literally), it was time to organize.
Here’s what we used and loved:
- Clear airtight bins for snacks
- Lazy Susans for oils and condiments
- Wire baskets for potatoes and onions
- Labels — because if it’s not labeled, someone will open every bin to find the pasta
- A “quick grab” shelf at eye level for daily must-haves
This setup keeps everything visible, reachable, and tidy.
Why DIYing Your Closet Pantry Is Worth It
This project wasn’t just about building shelves. It was about creating a kitchen that works for the way we actually live.
If you have:
✔ A weird unused nook
✔ A coat closet you never use
✔ A tiny kitchen with nowhere to store anything
…a DIY pantry might be exactly what brings functionality (and beauty!) back into your space.
And the best part?
You don’t need to be a professional carpenter to do it. You just need a weekend, some grit, and a willingness to try.
If you’re interested in looking at the home in its purest state when we bought it, you can visit this before our home was our home.
Some of the projects on our list:
- pantry & pantry doors √ Done!
- sliding glass doors in the foyer √ Done!
- add carpet to basement stairs √ Done!
- add a pool √ Done!
- open up the kitchen, rearrange, and add an island √ In Process
- update cabinets √ In Process
- paint siding
- new fence around the property
- add a back deck or patio
- carpet and finish the basement
As you can see, our eyes were really big with ideas. But, we found we were so comfortable with our home as is that a lot of these projects, just kinda….. well…. sat there and didn’t get done!
But, we somehow managed to get some grit and get this pantry done because let me tell you, I am a short person and trying to find anything in upper cabinets just wasn’t working for me at all!
Before
Here’s the before and after:
~~ And as always friends, take care, be kind to yourself and others, and always keep learning to be better and do better.
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