What’s The Difference Between A Butler’s Pantry & Scullery?
As kitchens evolve into true multipurpose spaces—places where we cook, host, gather, and live—support areas like butler’s pantries and sculleries have become essential tools for creating calm, functional, and beautifully organized homes. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, each space serves a distinct purpose. Knowing the difference can help you choose what best fits your lifestyle.
What Is a Butler’s Pantry?
A butler’s pantry traditionally sits between the kitchen and dining room and is designed to support hosting and presentation.
Modern butler’s pantries often include:
- Serving and staging space for meals and gatherings
- A beverage center or secondary refrigeration
- Glassware and dishware storage
- A dedicated prep area for cocktails, coffee, or hors d’oeuvres
This is the space that lets you entertain gracefully—everything you need is within reach, but the “work” remains behind the scenes.
What Is a Scullery?
A scullery is the hard-working engine room of the kitchen; often just off the kitchen in a supporting role—perfect for busy families, avid cooks, and anyone who prefers a clutter-free main kitchen.
Many of our clients describe it as transformational.
One homeowner told us: “Our scullery is our secret ingredient! We love using it every day and can’t imagine our kitchen flow without it.”
A well-designed scullery can include:
- A secondary sink or dishwasher
- Storage for bulk items, appliances, and cookware
- Space for messy prep
- Closed-off zones that keep cleanup out of sight
“It has streamlined how we use our home and we have a place for every kitchen item! No more basement storage! Having the scullery has freed up our kitchen island for socializing and clean countertops!”
And for homes where the kitchen opens directly into living spaces, a scullery can be an invaluable buffer:
“Our main kitchen is wide-open to our living room and front bay window, so it’s an area we prefer to keep neat and presentable. Our scullery is out of the main sight lines and can be closed off with a pocket door… We even have a spot for feeding the dogs! In short, our scullery makes it much easier to keep our main kitchen looking the way we want it to look.”
How Vujovich Helps You Choose
Because every family cooks, entertains, and lives differently, what works beautifully for one home may not be the right fit for another. Our design team guides you through the possibilities so you can decide whether your home would benefit most from:
- A hosting-focused butler’s pantry
- A function-first scullery
- Or a hybrid that blends both roles seamlessly
Through collaborative design and thoughtful craftsmanship, we create spaces—like the ones pictured—that enhance daily life and support the way you use your home.
“Designing personalized cooking and entertaining spaces is a central piece to a home’s harmony,” notes Vujovich Senior Design Director Christina Rymer. “Listening to our clients and how they want to live and to host family and friends helps us create remarkable spaces.”
Exploring The Right Solution
If you’re imagining a kitchen that feels calmer, more functional, and more tailored to your lifestyle, we’d love to help you explore the right solution.
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