Turn an awkward hallway nook into a functional and charming “baby” pantry with this DIY project. See how we reused materials and repurposed the space for our everyday dishes.
You see, behind that cabinet was a narrow, mostly wasted space tucked into the wall. Once the main cabinet was finished, we stood back and thought… what if we could do something with what was left behind?
That’s where the “baby” pantry idea was born.
Reclaiming Space, Vintage Style
Here’s how it started: when we tore out the plate rack during our kitchen update, we knew there was this skinny little channel of wall space just sitting there, doing absolutely nothing since you could not gain much access from the hallway access point. The kind of space that makes you pause and think, “Well, it’s not much, but maybe it’s just enough.”
We reused wood from the original pantry that had once lived in this spot—waste not, want not, right? Mr. Vintage and I don’t shy away from reusing materials when we can. There's something incredibly satisfying about giving old wood a second chance. It not only saves money, but it gives your home that layered, lived-in feeling that’s hard to fake.
So we got to work.
We kept things simple. The interior framing was reused and customized to fit the unusual depth, and we added cut down the long shelves into shallow shelves that allowed us to easily access the contents without anything getting lost in the back. Since the cabinet was so narrow (about 13 inches deep and 12 inches wide), every inch had to count. But that little space came together surprisingly well.
I lovingly dubbed it the “baby pantry,” because it really is the tiniest little pantry I’ve ever seen—but it quickly proved its usefulness.
The First Version: Canned Goods Central
In its original form, the baby pantry became our go-to spot for canned goods. It was so convenient to have soups, beans, sauces, and even a few extra condiments tucked away in one place. Though technically the pantry is located out in the hallway, it was still easier to pop over there than it was to dig through the other five spaces we were housing food in, and our built-in was being used for dishes and all my other kitchen wares.
And let’s be honest—if you’ve ever tried balancing everyday storage with “only-use-on-holidays” pieces, you know it’s a dance that gets old fast.
This little nook gave us a place for our daily staples, freeing up room in the kitchen without making things feel cramped. And it came together using materials we already had. Win-win.
Our Pantry Evolves (Just Like Everything Else Around Here)
Fast forward a bit—and like many spaces in our home—this pantry eventually got a refresh. Once we completed our full DIY pantry project (yes, a real pantry!), we decided it made more sense to store the canned goods there. It just flowed better.
That left the baby pantry open for a new role. After a little back and forth, we realized it would be the perfect home for our everyday dishes.
Plates, bowls, even a few small serving items—all right there, tucked away neatly, but still easily within reach. Yes, we still need to walk across the kitchen to get to the hallway, but it’s a breeze compared to the old setup of shuffling dishes around inside the big built-in cabinet. That cabinet still holds our special pieces, and I’m more than happy to leave them right where they are.
The Charm Is in the Details
Now, let’s talk about the door. This little pantry came with its original door—an old one that’s full of character. The glass knob alone is enough to make me swoon (you know how I feel about glass knobs). When we first moved in, I gave the door a fresh coat of white paint and left everything else untouched. It blended beautifully with the existing trim and kept the vintage charm intact.
More recently, we gave that door a proper update—but I’m keeping that story for another day. If you’d like a peek at how it turned out, I shared the full transformation in this post. Let’s just say, it brought out even more character and charm from a space I already loved.
Real Life, Real Messy
Now before you think I’m over here pretending everything’s always picture-perfect, let me just say this: it’s not. I had every intention of keeping this pantry ultra-organized, maybe even styled a bit. But… life has other plans.
There are days when the dishes aren’t quite stacked right. Sometimes a bowl ends up where a plate should go. But it works. It works for us. And I’ve always believed in showing the real version of our home—not the perfectly curated one.
Because the reality is, most of us are doing our best with what we have. We’re working with small spaces, awkward corners, and reused materials. And when something finally clicks—when a little sliver of wall becomes your new favorite storage solution—it’s worth celebrating.
What’s Next?
You know how these projects go—there’s always a “what if” lingering in the back of our minds. Underneath the kitchen cabinet we built, there’s still some unused space. We’ve tossed around the idea of opening up the wall below to add a bit more hidden storage, but honestly… we’re not quite brave enough to take that one on ourselves.
Mr. Vintage said if we had thought it through earlier, we could have tackled it when we removed the plate rack. But hindsight’s 20/20, right? At this point, we’re thinking it might be best to bring in a carpenter for that job—someone who’s willing to take on a small project with a big payoff. Fingers crossed we find the right person.
Thoughts on the Baby Pantry
This “baby” pantry may be small, but it’s mighty. It started as an afterthought—a leftover space—and turned into one of the most functional little upgrades we’ve done. It holds our dishes, frees up our kitchen, and still makes me smile every time I open that vintage glass knob.
And isn’t that what a well-loved home is all about? Finding ways to make things work, even when space is limited or unconventional?
Whether you’re working with a sprawling farmhouse or a narrow hallway nook, I hope this little story inspires you to look at your home with fresh eyes. There might be more usable space hiding in your walls than you think.
