In with the old… kitchen larder units make a comeback

When you think of a kitchen larder, what comes to mind? Perhaps an old black and white advert from yesteryear, or a memory of summer holidays at your Grandparents house. 

Well, it’s time for a rethink! In recent years, this useful kitchen addition has made a comeback and it’s fast becoming the latest ‘must-have’ in country-style kitchens across the land.

If you’re young enough to be sitting there thinking, “What is a kitchen larder, anyway?” then let us explain.

A larder is something of a hybrid between a kitchen cupboard and storage room. Although they come in a variety of styles, they all have one thing in common; the ability to store a range of foods in/on a variety of drawers, shelves and racks – keeping them cool, dry and fresh.

Kitchen larders – then and now

The word ‘larder’ is taken from the Medieval French ‘lardier’, which refers to the preservation of meat joints for winter by covering them in lard, in huge barrels. As time went on, better access to shops and regular deliveries of food made this storage system unnecessary and eventually the need for a larder fizzled out.

Larders are becoming increasingly popular again for a couple of reasons. One is the trend for a more nostalgic aesthetic. From a practical point of view, larders also provide additional, tidy storage for those who like to shop smart, buy in bulk and store goods in larger quantities – perhaps because they’re trying to be more ‘green’ or economical.

3 benefits of installing a kitchen larder

  • Kitchen larder can ensure you avoid cluttered work surfaces. You can keep lots of items inside and shut the doors to hide the clutter
  • Quick and easy to store away your shopping delivery or items purchased from the local farmer’s market or farm shop
  • Where better to show off your beautifully designed cake tins and rows of classic Kilner jars?  If you want to make your kitchen larder a focal point, our solid wood interiors with ambient lighting can be left open to elegantly present your dinner service and glassware
  • Want to reduce your food waste? Larders can really help. Not only can you store tinned goods in them, they’re the most sensible place to keep foods such as herbs, potatoes, bananas and onions – which last longer if kept out of the light

Whether it be for aesthetic reasons to make your country-style kitchen look more authentic, or you just like the practicality of having somewhere to store your groceries in a way that you can manage them more easily, head over to our Pinterest for some dreamy kitchens featuring kitchen larders and their many benefits…

Call Thatcham Kitchens on 01635 863853 to discuss the best kitchen options for you or visit our showroom on Thatcham Broadway. Also don’t forget to follow our social media accounts for lots of kitchen related inspiration!