Chatham County Custom Homes | Kitchen Pantry

How to Add Stock Up Space and Big Pantries to your New Home (Without Adding Sq Ft)

Posted by Travars Built Homes on December 29, 2020

Customizing stock up space and big pantries starts with analyzing what you want to store – and the places you have to work with – in new custom homes in Chatham County, North Carolina.

Kitchens with big walk in pantries are high in “must haves.” Get clever when you go custom, with just-right spaces for everything you store, like these creative cubbies, shelves and racks in Travars Built Homes.

Custom built-ins

Every inch here was designed for a specific purpose. From pull out racks to built ins sized for each item to be placed there, this is what “totally custom” can look like, when you expand your kitchen into the walk in pantry.

Custom shelf height

Your NC custom home builder can use the measurements you give him to build custom shelving at the height you need, to accommodate everything from stock up Costco size packaging to cans and spices in your walk in pantry.

Custom shelf width and depth

Chatham County New Homes | Kitchen Pantry

Shelf width is another important consideration to talk through with your NC custom home builder. How many cans do you want to stack in a row? How big are the bags of rice or flour? How long are the cereal boxes?

Pantries with other built in storage nearby

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Built In Storage

Avoid overstuffing your pantry or closets, by adding additional cubbies and storage spaces nearby. A drop zone only needs 12-18 inches of depth, and can be designed for whatever you want to put there.

Windows and lighting

Consider inset or spot lighting in addition to the usual ceiling fixture, to light up your closet or pantry. Choose between more shelves or a window to add natural light. Talk with your Chatham County new home builder about the impact on your home’s exterior.

Pantry location

How much pantry space do you need? A design build custom home builder in NC can create space for a bigger pantry (or second pantry) in a kitchen corner, hallway, mud room, breakfast room or under the stairway.

Secret pantries

Want special storage that’s even more tucked away? A custom design builder can add secret pantries and passageways to your floor plan during the early planning stages.

Butler’s pantry

A butlers pantry typically reflects the cabinetry and countertops of the kitchen, with a dedicated space all its own for items you want to easily access from eating and gathering areas, like this custom designed butlers pantry and wine bar.

Chatham County New Homes | Kitchen Wine Bar

Your design build custom home builder can work with you to create storage space for everything you want to have on hand in your new home.

Have any Questions? Get in Touch Today!

9 Big Kitchen Island Styles

Posted by Travars Built Homes on December 20, 2020

Large kitchen islands are a great place for gatherings: Food. Hobbies. Homeschool. Projects. Here are 9 photos of popular NC 2021 home design trends to help choose your next kitchen island.

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Reasons to Build with TBH

Kitchen Island Design Tip #1: Placement

This Chef’s Kitchen designed by Chatham County new home builder Travars Built Homes is designed to provide as much working space as possible, with a massive kitchen island, cabinetry and countertops.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #2: Size

Island kitchen floor plans separate countertop space from the rest of the kitchen, to increase its potential to be used for a variety of purposes.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen | Mebane NC New Homes

Kitchen Island Design Tip #3: Design

This kitchen island was designed to be noticed, with a look all its own as the focal point of the room. The ability to create the look you’d like is a great benefit of working with a creative team in design build custom homes.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #4: Style

Your sink choice can make a big difference in the appeal of your kitchen island. Apron sinks (also known as Farmhouse sinks) are especially popular in 2021 new home design trends.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #5: Lighting

The pendants you choose for your lighting are especially important over the island. They serve as a punctuation of your architectural style and highlight everything in your design build new home.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #6: Seating

Tuck under seating is the choice made most often for big kitchen islands in 2021 home design trends. The ability to place bar stools out of the way when not in use provides a feeling of functionality and great use of space.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #7: Purpose

This formal kitchen island exudes elegance in design build custom homes, with a furniture look that draws the living area further into the kitchen – an inviting look of luxury that increases importance.

Chapel Hill Modern Farmhouse | White Kitchen

Kitchen Island Design Tip #8: Color

This kitchen island blends beautifully into extended gathering areas with its muted tones that create a sense of comfortable informality. It’s one of the most requested styles in island kitchen floor plans.

Chatham County New Homes | Kitchen Open to Living Room

Kitchen Island Design Tip #9: Surface

The surface material you choose for your kitchen island can be just about anything in a design build custom home. Granite. Quartz. Marble. Tile. Wood. Recycled glass. Cement. There are a lot of possibilities to explore in 2021 home design trends.

Have any Questions? Get in Touch Today!

Saddlebrook Farmhouse

2738 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | One Story | 2 Car Garage

Thinking about building something like this?

Let’s walk through how this plan could fit your lot, budget, and goals.

Features of the “Saddlebrook Farmhouse” include:

4 Beds + optional office on first floor
Massive walk-in pantry
Oversized garage
Build on your lot or ours

White and Black Modern Farmhouses | Mebane NC New Homes

Built to Last. Designed for You.

At Travars Built Homes, “Building with Strength and Integrity” means more than high standards—it means listening, customizing, and guiding you with clarity.

These photos show what’s possible when that approach comes to life. Explore, get inspired, and let’s talk about how we can make it yours.

Start the Conversation

Browse Floor Plans

*Every home we build is unique. Images may reflect customized layouts, finishes, or features. Photographed homes may have been modified from the construction documents to comply with site conditions and/or builder or homeowner preferences. A full specifications package is available upon request. Floorplans are copyright architect.

Inara

3470 sq ft | 5 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Master | 3 Car Garage

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Two Story Kitchen. Travars Built Homes can build on your lot or in neighborhoods throughout the greater Triangle area, across Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Johnson, Orange, Wake and surrounding counties.

Get the Inara Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Inara” plan include:

One-of-a-kind custom home design: colonial exterior, modern interior
Soaring two story kitchen with wall of windows
Centerpiece woodburning fireplace with full brick surround
Build on your lot or ours

Built to Last. Designed for You.

At Travars Built Homes, “Building with Strength and Integrity” means more than high standards—it means listening, customizing, and guiding you with clarity.

These photos show what’s possible when that approach comes to life. Explore, get inspired, and let’s talk about how we can make it yours.

Start the Conversation

Browse Floor Plans

Photo Tours

What does “custom” mean to you?

Let’s build that!

These photos showcase the kind of truly custom results we create with homebuyers. From simple to spectacular, every home we create is shaped by listening, personalizing, and guiding you through a meaningful build experience. Take a look, find inspiration, and let’s connect.

Saddlebrook Farmhouse

2738 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | One Story

Aster Park

2709 sq ft | 3 – 4 Beds | 2.5 – 3.5 Baths | One Story

Fox Riverstone

3055 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Becton Park

3006 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Looking for guidance on cost effectiveness and customization? Start the conversation today to get started with transparent custom home pricing:

Danbury Springs

3020 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Hillsborough Danbury Springs

3020 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Settlers Ridge

4674 sq ft | 4-5 Beds | 4.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Amherst Fassinger

2686 Sq Ft | 3-4 Beds | 2.5-3.5 Baths | One Story

La Puente

2525 Sq Ft | 3-4 Beds | 2 Baths | One Story

Weston

2850 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Two Story

Southern Farmhouse

4158 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | One Story

Teesdale

3188 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Woodland

2231 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Two Story

Longview

2587 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Annecy

2373 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Noni Cottage

1904 Sq Ft | 2 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Gold Winner for Chatham County Parade of Homes

Grace

3237-3637 Sq Ft | 4-5 Beds | 4 Baths | Two Story

Gregory

4600 Sq Ft | 5 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Westbrook

3159 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

East Haven

3097 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | One Story

Mulberry Farm

2852 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | One Story

Oliver

2525 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 2 Baths | One Story

Applewood

3319 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Chapel Hill New Home Builder | New Homes Chapel Hill NC

Ivy Ridge

3204 Sq Ft | 5 Beds | 3.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Chatham Farmhouse

2438 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Drifting Leaf

2702 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

White Farmhouse | Chatham County Local Home Builders

Ginger Hill Forest

2602 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 3.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite | Basement

Holly Fern

2466 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Victoria

3043 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | Two Story

Bend

2578 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Two Story

Riverstone B

3070 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Two Story

Pamlico Sound

2414 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Wendell

2390 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Abbie

2702 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Cooper

2758 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Rodanthe

2328 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Rodanthe B

2328 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

River Bluff

2381 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Inara

3470 Sq Ft | 5 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Greenfield Cottage

1961 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 2 Baths | One Story with Bonus Room

Chestnut Lodge

2590 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | Two Story

Fremont

2309 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Two Story

Quail Ridge

2416 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Two Story

Davis

1421 Sq Ft | 3 Beds | 2 Baths | One Story

Bethel Farm

2426 Sq Ft | 3-4 Beds | 2-3 Baths | One Story

Tyrrell Place

2466 Sq Ft | 3-4 Beds | 2-3 Baths | One Story

Bluestone

Highland Point

2731 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Holton Manor

3365 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Amherst

2686 Sq Ft | 3-4 Beds | 2.5-3.5 Baths | One Story

Avonmore

2466 Sq Ft | 3-4 Beds | 2-3 Baths | One Story

Chestnut Pointe

3172 Sq Ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Primary Suite

Start the conversation today to find out what it takes to build a new custom home in Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, or the surrounding region:

Pamlico Sound

2414 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary | 2 Car Garage

Get the Pamlico Sound Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Pamlico Sound” plan include:

Build on our lot or yours
Modern farmhouse with extensive detailing
First floor owners suite and First floor office
Loft and three additional beds upstairs

Travars Built Homes can build on your lot or in neighborhoods throughout the greater Triangle area, across Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Johnson, Orange, Wake and surrounding counties.

Where Strength Meets Style—And Integrity Shapes Every Step

These homes were built through collaboration, thoughtful design, and hands-on builder involvement—hallmarks of the Travars Built experience.

Everything we do is rooted in transparency and trust. Let these photos spark ideas—and we’ll help shape what comes next.

Start the Conversation

Browse Floor Plans

Wendell

2390 sq ft | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

Get the Wendell Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Wendell” plan include:

First-floor owner’s suite with spacious en suite bath
Dedicated first-floor home office
Open-concept kitchen, dining, and great room with strong sightlines
Upstairs loft with three additional bedrooms

Built to Last. Designed for You.

At Travars Built Homes, “Building with Strength and Integrity” means more than high standards—it means listening, customizing, and guiding you with clarity.

These photos show what’s possible when that approach comes to life. Explore, get inspired, and let’s talk about how we can make it yours.

Start the Conversation

Browse Floor Plans

Cooper

2758 sq ft | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

Get the Cooper Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Cooper” plan include:

Customized version of Frank Betz’ “Beaufort” plan
First floor master and first floor guest suite
Bonus room, plus optional game room
Build on our lot or yours

Raleigh Custom Homes | White Granite Kitchen

Raleigh Custom Homes | White and Gray Kitchen

Where Strength Meets Style—And Integrity Shapes Every Step

These homes were built through collaboration, thoughtful design, and hands-on builder involvement—hallmarks of the Travars Built experience.

Everything we do is rooted in transparency and trust. Let these photos spark ideas—and we’ll help shape what comes next.

Start the Conversation

Browse Floor Plans

Abbie

2702 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

Chatham County New Homes | Vaulted Great Room Ceiling. Travars Built Homes can build on your lot or in neighborhoods throughout the greater Triangle area, across Alamance, Chatham, Durham, Johnson, Orange, Wake and surrounding counties.

Get the Abbie Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Abbie” plan include:

First-floor owner’s suite with spa-style bath
Dedicated first-floor home office
Vaulted great room with open-concept living and dining
Upstairs loft with three additional bedrooms

Chatham County New Homes | Island Kitchen

Building with Strength and Integrity—One Home at a Time

Every photo here tells the story of a home built with care, transparency, and purpose. At Travars Built Homes, we don’t just build to plans—we build to fit your life.

Any design you see can be tailored, adjusted, or completely reimagined with your goals in mind. Let’s get started!

Start the Conversation

Browse Floor Plans

Wendell North Carolina New Homes | Built In Storage Benches

Chatham County New Home Checklist – Built in Storage Ideas For Every Room

Posted by Travars Built Homes on September 15, 2020

Built in bookcases, open shelving, cubbies, kitchen pantries

Get ideas for custom home built in bookcases, open shelving, cubbies, kitchen pantries, and storage spaces for every room from Chatham County new home builder Travars Built Homes:

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #1: Built in Bookcases Alongside a Fireplace

Built in bookshelves next to the fireplace are a popular choice in new homes by custom builders in Chatham County and across central NC. [Get floor plan ideas here.]

Bookcases can be set into the wall with open shelving, cabinets, specialty trim, and other features. Nearly all fireplace surround bookcases are built with a standard height between shelves (similar to when you buy a furniture bookcase). Just give us a picture – we can build it! Travars Built Homes can space shelves at custom heights that you ask for at one of your meetings with the builder on site. It’s part of our standard design/build process!

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #2: Open Shelves Above a Kitchen Serving Bar

Looking for something more unique in your built-ins? Ask your new home builder how much flexibility you can have for touches like this throughout your home – and what materials they offer for open shelving, such as the Cedar above this kitchen bar and master bedroom beam ceiling.

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #3: Built In Drop Zone by the Garage

Drop zones with shelves, cubbies, cabinets, and drawers are a very popular addition to new Chatham County homes. We can build them anywhere in your home, with the most common choices between the garage and laundry room or kitchen. This drop zone has a built in bench, shoe cubbies, and bead board trim. Send us a link to a look you like – we can build that, too.

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #4: Large Pantry with Custom Shelving

A U-shaped pantry is great for “at a glance” storage. A U-shaped pantry requires more depth (and less width) than an L-shaped pantry – so ask your builder what can fit into your floor plan. Adding more pantry shelving at different widths and heights is a popular request.

In this example, one wall of shelving is designed with thin shelves for spices and specialty items, while the other two walls are deeper for cans, boxes, and paper goods:

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #5: Built in Benches

Add hidden storage to your breakfast room, mudroom, hallway, or nook with built in benches.

Chatham County New Home Builders

At Travars Built Homes, our design build capabilities offer you the opportunity to modify your floor plan to fit your lifestyle. Let us know if you want to plan for extra storage spaces after building your home.

We can modify your floor plan with things like a prepared alcove with the dimensions you’ll need later on.

In this Chatham County custom home, the upstairs loft includes a stretch of half wall (instead of more open railing) designed to accommodate future storage built-ins:

Tag: Design Build Custom Homes

Customizing stock up space and big pantries starts with analyzing what you want to store – and the places you have to work with – in new custom homes in Chatham County, North Carolina.

Kitchens with big walk in pantries are high in “must haves.” Get clever when you go custom, with just-right spaces for everything you store, like these creative cubbies, shelves and racks in Travars Built Homes.

Custom built-ins

Every inch here was designed for a specific purpose. From pull out racks to built ins sized for each item to be placed there, this is what “totally custom” can look like, when you expand your kitchen into the walk in pantry.

Custom shelf height

Your NC custom home builder can use the measurements you give him to build custom shelving at the height you need, to accommodate everything from stock up Costco size packaging to cans and spices in your walk in pantry.

Custom shelf width and depth

Shelf width is another important consideration to talk through with your NC custom home builder. How many cans do you want to stack in a row? How big are the bags of rice or flour? How long are the cereal boxes?

Pantries with other built in storage nearby

Avoid overstuffing your pantry or closets, by adding additional cubbies and storage spaces nearby. A drop zone only needs 12-18 inches of depth, and can be designed for whatever you want to put there.

Windows and lighting

Consider inset or spot lighting in addition to the usual ceiling fixture, to light up your closet or pantry. Choose between more shelves or a window to add natural light. Talk with your Chatham County new home builder about the impact on your home’s exterior.

Pantry location

How much pantry space do you need? A design build custom home builder in NC can create space for a bigger pantry (or second pantry) in a kitchen corner, hallway, mud room, breakfast room or under the stairway.

Secret pantries

Want special storage that’s even more tucked away? A custom design builder can add secret pantries and passageways to your floor plan during the early planning stages.

Butler’s pantry

A butlers pantry typically reflects the cabinetry and countertops of the kitchen, with a dedicated space all its own for items you want to easily access from eating and gathering areas, like this custom designed butlers pantry and wine bar.

Your design build custom home builder can work with you to create storage space for everything you want to have on hand in your new home.

Have any Questions? Get in Touch Today!

Large kitchen islands are a great place for gatherings: Food. Hobbies. Homeschool. Projects. Here are 9 photos of popular NC 2021 home design trends to help choose your next kitchen island.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #1: Placement

This Chef’s Kitchen designed by Chatham County new home builder Travars Built Homes is designed to provide as much working space as possible, with a massive kitchen island, cabinetry and countertops.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #2: Size

Island kitchen floor plans separate countertop space from the rest of the kitchen, to increase its potential to be used for a variety of purposes.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #3: Design

This kitchen island was designed to be noticed, with a look all its own as the focal point of the room. The ability to create the look you’d like is a great benefit of working with a creative team in design build custom homes.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #4: Style

Your sink choice can make a big difference in the appeal of your kitchen island. Apron sinks (also known as Farmhouse sinks) are especially popular in 2021 new home design trends.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #5: Lighting

The pendants you choose for your lighting are especially important over the island. They serve as a punctuation of your architectural style and highlight everything in your design build new home.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #6: Seating

Tuck under seating is the choice made most often for big kitchen islands in 2021 home design trends. The ability to place bar stools out of the way when not in use provides a feeling of functionality and great use of space.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #7: Purpose

This formal kitchen island exudes elegance in design build custom homes, with a furniture look that draws the living area further into the kitchen – an inviting look of luxury that increases importance.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #8: Color

This kitchen island blends beautifully into extended gathering areas with its muted tones that create a sense of comfortable informality. It’s one of the most requested styles in island kitchen floor plans.

Kitchen Island Design Tip #9: Surface

The surface material you choose for your kitchen island can be just about anything in a design build custom home. Granite. Quartz. Marble. Tile. Wood. Recycled glass. Cement. There are a lot of possibilities to explore in 2021 home design trends.

Have any Questions? Get in Touch Today!

2738 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | One Story | 2 Car Garage

Thinking about building something like this?

Features of the “Saddlebrook Farmhouse” include:

Built to Last. Designed for You.

3470 sq ft | 5 Beds | 4 Baths | First Floor Master | 3 Car Garage

Get the Inara Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Inara” plan include:

Built to Last. Designed for You.

What does “custom” mean to you?

Looking for guidance on cost effectiveness and customization? Start the conversation today to get started with transparent custom home pricing:

Gold Winner for Chatham County Parade of Homes

Start the conversation today to find out what it takes to build a new custom home in Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, or the surrounding region:

2414 sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Primary | 2 Car Garage

Get the Pamlico Sound Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Pamlico Sound” plan include:

Where Strength Meets Style—And Integrity Shapes Every Step

2390 sq ft | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

Get the Wendell Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Wendell” plan include:

Built to Last. Designed for You.

2758 sq ft | 3 Beds | 2.5 Baths | First Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

Get the Cooper Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Cooper” plan include:

Where Strength Meets Style—And Integrity Shapes Every Step

2702 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First Floor Master | 2 Car Garage

Get the Abbie Floor Plan Flyer:

Features of the “Abbie” plan include:

Building with Strength and Integrity—One Home at a Time

Built in bookcases, open shelving, cubbies, kitchen pantries

Get ideas for custom home built in bookcases, open shelving, cubbies, kitchen pantries, and storage spaces for every room from Chatham County new home builder Travars Built Homes:

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #1: Built in Bookcases Alongside a Fireplace

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #2: Open Shelves Above a Kitchen Serving Bar

Looking for something more unique in your built-ins? Ask your new home builder how much flexibility you can have for touches like this throughout your home – and what materials they offer for open shelving, such as the Cedar above this kitchen bar and master bedroom beam ceiling.

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #3: Built In Drop Zone by the Garage

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #4: Large Pantry with Custom Shelving

Chatham County New Home Storage Idea #5: Built in Benches

Add hidden storage to your breakfast room, mudroom, hallway, or nook with built in benches.

Chatham County New Home Builders

Have any Questions? Get in Touch Today!