Measure the things you want to store before choosing the layout of a custom pantry or built-in cabinet. A shelf for cereal boxes has a different job from a space for a mixer, and the outside dimensions alone won't tell you whether either will fit.
I've made built-in and freestanding pantries, along with bookshelves and other cabinetry. You can see examples in the built-ins section of my gallery.
Make a list of what needs storing
Group your belongings by how you use them, then measure the largest items in each group. For a pantry, that might mean everyday food on one shelf and an appliance stored separately. Books, laundry supplies and outdoor clothing each need a different layout.
Include the things that don't fit well in your current storage. A tray that always leans against a wall or a vacuum without a home gives the design a specific problem to solve. Leave some room for changes in what you own, rather than planning every shelf around today's exact contents.
If adjustable shelves would help, mention that in the enquiry. Treat them as a feature to discuss for the design, rather than assuming every part of a cabinet will be adjustable.
Check reach and access
Place the things you use frequently where you can reach them comfortably. Compare your current shelves if you're unsure: measure one that works well and one that is awkward, and explain the difference.
A deep shelf may hold plenty, but an item at the back can be difficult to reach when the front is full. Try the depth you're considering with the things you want to store, and note whether drawers or another arrangement would be worth discussing.
Children's reach and the space someone needs to move around the cabinet can change what works for the household. Include those needs when describing who will use the storage.
Allow room for doors and drawers to open
A cabinet can fit an opening and still be awkward to use. Check the space in front of it with nearby doors open, including appliance doors where relevant.
If a dining chair sits close to the planned pantry, try the chair in use while checking the cabinet's access. For laundry storage, include the room needed to load the machines. Photographs of those arrangements help explain constraints that a sketch might miss.
Photograph the opening and what surrounds it
Send a view of the whole wall, then closer photos of the trim and anything else near the proposed cabinet. Include rough measurements of the opening, with the units marked clearly.
Identify outlets and switches, along with vents or plumbing that could affect the layout, so those constraints are clear in your enquiry. Final build dimensions and site requirements need to be confirmed separately. Discuss installation and any work needed around existing services before agreeing to proceed.
You can also describe whether the storage should stay in place or be movable. A freestanding pantry may suit that second goal better, so mention it even if you first pictured a built-in.
Describe the finished appearance
A room photo helps show how the cabinetry will sit beside the existing surfaces. Include a gallery reference if you like a particular piece, and say which details appeal to you.
Before sending a custom pantry or built-in enquiry from Tignish, gather your storage list and rough measurements together. Tell me about the space and the item that's hardest to store now, so the design can address that problem from the beginning.