The Scullery Comeback: Why Modern Kitchens Are Splitting In Two

Was the sound of your spouse’s morning smoothie mix in the blender not quite the 5:30am wakeup call you were expecting? Are small appliances taking over your countertops? You’re not alone and that’s why more and more modern home designs feature butler’s pantries and sculleries adjacent to the main kitchen.

The extra kitchen that once seemed a luxury has become more practical. Families entertain more at home, often in the kitchen, while advances in the technology of small appliances are changing living spaces and design. A scullery, or work kitchen, provides a space for meal prep and cleaning, while a butler’s pantry serves more for storing and staging. Both offer added function for day-to-day living and distinctive hosting.

Whether you need a pantry or scullery, both offer additional storage. The best layout will include both open and closed storage, with rollout trays for heavy items, drawers for convenient access, and space for countertop appliances. That KitchenAid mixer finds a home, the bulk snacks are tucked away in a drawer, and your sheet pans are finally at arm’s reach rather than buried in a bottom cabinet. The toaster oven that you can’t live without now rests above the bread drawer. The butler’s pantry is also a perfect place to store serving platters, extra glassware, and items that you only use on special occasions. Open shelves are a smart addition to the pantry for everyday items like coffee, supplements or even a favorite family photo.

The hosting house loves a scullery, and you don’t have to live at Downton Abbey to have one. The ideal scullery includes a prep sink, extra dishwasher, glass rinser, beverage refrigerator, icemaker and sometimes an additional oven. While employing home kitchen staff is mostly a thing of the past, the resurgence of traditional design combined with home entertaining gives sculleries a nostalgic feel.

Most families are not using a formal dining room, opting instead for in-kitchen dining at an island or table. This lends additional unused space to add a scullery while catering to the more modern style of hosting. Furthermore, the bonus space invites playful design choices like moody cabinetry, eclectic wallpaper and patterned floor tile. Statement lighting and arched or half-moon pocket doors add personality and charm.

Modern home designs with butler’s pantries and sculleries maximize kitchen functionality by separating prep work, appliance storage and cleaning from main living areas. These spaces offer essential storage solutions - including drawers for heavy appliances and shelving for staging - while allowing for creative, playful design choices that enhance home entertaining. So, the next time you are planning a gathering, consider how these additions could transform daily routines and hosting into a more organized, aesthetic experience for your family and guests.