Next to the laundry room, the butler’s pantry is arguably a home’s most hardworking bonus room. Historically, butler’s pantries were reserved for entertaining prep, literally the space a butler would use to prepare for large dinner parties or elaborate meals. But these days, they function more like hardworking storage rooms for everything dining- and entertaining-related, which is exactly why they’re a must-have for any prolific entertainers, especially now that separate dining rooms are back. What’s the Difference Between a Butler’s Pantry and a Regular Pantry?Let’s tackle the pantry first. Typically, a pantry is used solely for storing dried goods and shelf-stable vegetables—think onions, potatoes, etc. (In the UK, this area is called a larder.) A butler’s pantry, on the other hand, was historically used for party prep and where entertaining pieces and overflow dishes were stored. Traditionally, butler’s pantries did not have sinks or food storage; however, many modern ones combine now both types of pantries into one and hold both food and dishware. What’s the Difference Between a Butler’s Pantry and a Scullery?A scullery is just a more outfitted butler’s pantry The term ‘scullery’ is more commonly used in the U.K., though it comes from an Old French word, esculerie, which translates literally to “office of the servant in charge of plates”—aka where dishwashing occurred—and is why many contemporary sculleries have dishwashers in them. Today, the terms ‘butler’s pantry’ and ‘scullery’ are often used interchangeably, though some purists might still insist that anything with a sink is not a butler’s pantry but a scullery. It’s worth noting that these two spaces are distinctly different from so-called ‘dirty kitchens,’ which often also have small cook spaces in them, in addition to dishwashers. No actual cooking takes place in a butler’s pantry or scullery. Whether you use a butler’s pantry strictly for storage or have it outfitted more like a scullery with a sink and dishwasher, these bonus spaces are extremely useful in bustling family homes or a vacation homes where guests and large groups frequently gather. Below, I’ve rounded up our best butler’s pantry ideas to help you create a space that is as inspiring as it is functional. Ready to upgrade your space? Check out these bonus room guides: