Pantry cabinets are king
Pantry cabinets have become the most coveted built‑in in U.S. kitchens—designers say homeowners now prioritize strategic storage and walk‑in pantries to match how they cook and entertain []. In tight urban renos, over 68% of Toronto condo and townhome projects now use RTA flat‑pack cabinet systems, signaling big demand for flexible, install‑friendly cabinetry [].
Houzz’s 2026 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study surveyed nearly 1,800 homeowners and reports 76% added specialty built‑ins during renovations; pantry cabinets were selected by 47% of respondents, walk‑in pantries by 16%, and 68% of renovators replaced all cabinets — the study also lists a median major remodel spend of $55,000 (larger kitchens $75,000) and $20,000 for minor projects. (st.hzcdn.com) Forbes’ March 13, 2026 coverage by R. Daniel Foster highlights designers’ move toward floor‑to‑ceiling pantry walls and furniture‑style pantry cabinetry as solutions tailored to how homeowners entertain and stage kitchens for resale. (forbes.com) Major retailers and RTA wholesalers are expanding pantry‑specific quick‑ship lines: IKEA’s U.S. site lists SEKTION tall pantry frames, Home Depot’s inventory shows hundreds of pantry and RTA pantry units and pull‑out pantry products, and several RTA suppliers advertise two‑business‑day quick‑ship options on select cabinet lines. (ikea.com) Canadian trade guides and supplier roundups document rising RTA use in Canada and a growing list of local wholesalers and showrooms (including listings for RTA Depot in the GTA), but a publicly available industry or municipal report confirming the specific “over 68% of Toronto condo and townhome projects” figure could not be located in this search. (oppeingroup.ca)
