What Is a Scullery Kitchen? This Historic Home Layout Is Making a Comeback (2024)

For those who love to entertain, a scullery kitchen can be a huge help. When space allows, this smaller, fully functional secondary kitchen helps keep kitchen messes out of sight. What was once an outdated design element has made a major comeback over the last few years, and scullery kitchens are on the rise again.

According to a recent kitchen trends study by Houzz, searches for “scullery kitchen” grew 38% over the last year, and many homeowners are implementing the historic layout into their kitchen renovations. “Nearly 3 in 5 homeowners use their kitchen for entertaining following a renovation,” says Mitchell Parker, senior editor at Houzz. “That motivation may be influencing the rise we’ve seen in searches for ‘scullery kitchen,’ which provides a room for cleaning and doing messy kitchen work away from guests.”

To inspire your next kitchen refresh, learn what a scullery kitchen is and how it can make your space more functional.

What Is a Scullery Kitchen?

A scullery kitchen is essentially a smaller, secondary kitchen space that can help handle the extra dirty kitchen tasks or the overflow from your main kitchen. A scullery often has plenty of storage for appliances or fancy dishes that don't fit in your main kitchen cabinets, but don't necessarily belong in the pantry.

If the function of a scullery sounds an awful lot like your primary kitchen, you’re not far off. The term is a holdover from a time when well-to-do homeowners had hired help to do the kitchen work. As such, traditional scullery kitchens were small but highly efficient spaces, frequently tucked away towards the rear of the home.

What's the Difference Between a Scullery Kitchen and a Butler's Pantry?

A butler's pantry is another small but functional space adjacent to the kitchen or dining area. While a scullery kitchen and a butler's pantry do sound similar (and some folks use the two terms interchangeably), the two spaces serve different purposes.

“The original distinctions were based on the roles of both butler's and scullery maids as well as concerns with sanitation and household management in wealthy homes starting in the Victorian era,” says Mindy O’Connor of Melinda Kelson O'Connor Architecture & Interiors. “While these concerns are no longer prevalent, any home with the luxury of the space and budget to consider these can adapt the ideas for a very useful and beautiful way to organize kitchen spaces.”

Think of a scullery kitchen as a space ideal for food preparation and cleanup, and a butler's pantry as a space better suited for entertaining and serving. If you’re trying to decide what type of supplemental kitchen space would be most helpful in your home, designer Ginger Curtis, president of Urbanology Designs, suggests evaluating your specific needs and lifestyle preferences. Think about what purpose you want the room to serve, how much space is available, and what your entertaining habits are.

“A scullery kitchen typically requires a larger area compared to a butler's pantry. If there is ample space to accommodate a secondary kitchen with extra countertop and storage, a scullery kitchen might be the preferred choice," she says. "However, if space is limited, a butler's pantry can still provide valuable storage and serving capabilities without the need for a full kitchen setup."

Scullery Kitchen Design Elements to Consider

If you're planning a full kitchen remodel or building a home, it's easy to add a small space for a scullery kitchen. If a large-scale project isn't in your budget, you can still incorporate some of the more helpful design elements into another space, such as a walk-in pantry or hall closet off the kitchen. If you like the idea of adding a scullery kitchen into your space, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Storage Solutions

Some homeowners may choose to keep bulky countertop appliances like toasters and mixers in the scullery. “First and foremost, prioritize storage,” recommends designer Victoria Holly of Victoria Holly Interiors. “We like to install a good amount of cabinets in a scullery kitchen to accommodate all necessary kitchenware, appliances, and pantry items.”

Practical Features

Another must-have? Ample counter space for prepping. Beyond that, other items that can be useful in a scullery can include anything the primary kitchen has, including a sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, or freezer. It may also be helpful to include more entertaining-focused features like a warming drawer, beverage cooler, or coffee station.

Consider Function

How the small space functions is an important consideration as well. “Design the scullery kitchen with an efficient layout that promotes smooth workflow," Curtis suggests. “Ensure that the workstations, appliances, and storage areas are well-organized and easily accessible, minimizing unnecessary steps and maximizing efficiency.”

Have Fun with Design

O’Connor, who likes to refer to the space as a working pantry, recommends the scullery be directly connected to the kitchen. Since it's no longer taboo to see the inner workings of a kitchen, you can choose to keep the space partially or entirely closed off, or even completely open to the primary kitchen.

Depending on how open the scullery is to your main kitchen, you may choose to have the look and feel of the primary space carry over, or perhaps choose to be more playful and imaginative to give the small space a distinct look. “Think of either the scullery as a great design opportunity to add color, another finish material, unexpected decorative lighting, hardware or partially glazed doors that can elevate the overall design to include a more layered and interesting look, while still focusing on function,” she says.