Scroll through Pinterest or a glossy home magazine and it’s hard not to linger on those picture-perfect pantry ideas with their ordered shelves and hidden appliances, all tucked neatly away from view.

In a compact kitchen, storage can often feel like a bit of a negotiation. Worktops get cluttered, cupboards overflow, and the idea of squeezing in a pantry can seem wildly optimistic. But the truth is ...