Get Ready for the ‘Costco Door,’ The Next Mormon Trend Is Set to Sweep the US
We already have Mormon moms to thank for the resurgence of Stanley cups, and now they’re putting another trend on the map — the Costco department. The Costco door is a 3×3-foot ground-level door that connects the garage to the pantry.
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We already have Mormon moms to thank for the resurgence of Stanley cups, and now they’re putting another trend on the map — the Costco department.
The Costco door is a 3-by-3-foot ground-level door that connects the home’s garage and pantry. After a day of shopping and running errands at Tar-zhay (those in the know, in the know), TJ Maxx and, of course, Costco, the door makes it easy to drop grocery bags and other goods into the rack without a lot of travel. Just open the door, slide the bags in, and worry about organizing once you’re settled in the house.
Sold with SLC stars Matt Jones and Kenny Sperry explained the trend to Realtor.com on Thursday, noting that the Mormon community prioritizes confidence and smart planning. That attitude has also spilled over into Utah’s housing market, where many homes come with large mortgages.
Matt Jones | Credit: Matt Jones Group Facebook
“A 3-ft-by-3-foot garage door. The way these builders build houses they like to have one of the walls in the garage share a wall with the pantry – and pantries in Utah are not coat closets,” Jones told the portal’s news arm. “A good pantry in Utah is the size of a walk-in closet , so 15 to 20 feet by 8 feet.”
Jones and Sperry say Utahans’ association with Costco’s door and cold storage rooms comes from Mormon culture, which teaches followers to prepare for emergencies, whether they’re public — like widespread panic buying — or personal — like a sudden job loss. Regardless of the situation, Mormon families are expected to weather the storm.
Kenny Sperry | Credit: Sperry Group Facebook
“The Costco door [and] cold storage area [are not] it’s a very well-known thing outside of Utah, but it’s a really big thing because [Church of Latter Day Saints] culture and everything about preserving food,” said Sperry.
“In the Mormon religion, there is a big part of the religion that teaches self-confidence,” added Jones. “Part of that confidence is in an emergency, job loss, or any situation where food distribution is cut off, can you have confidence? When that’s run by a religious organization, people catch that.”
Costco’s door follows some of the leading design trends in favor of functionality and flexibility.
LA-based designer and Elite Home Staging and Elite Maison CEO Samantha Senia told Inman in November about the rise of standard shelving, floating shelves and side tables — three elements that maximize small spaces.
“Luxury consumers want flexibility without compromising on style. Modular shelves allow for this – they are versatile, customizable and perfect for displaying a mix of personal items and art,” Senia told Inman contributor Chris Pollinger. “We can position the shelves differently depending on the customer’s needs, which shows the flexibility of the space. It’s the ultimate combination of functionality and style, something every high-end client appreciates.”
“[Floating nightstands and side tables] they are perfect for creating a clean look that doesn’t overwhelm the room,” he added. These wall-mounted pieces save floor space and come with hidden storage options, appealing to a taste for sleek yet functional design among luxury consumers. There is beauty in minimalism. With floating tables, the space feels big and airy, something that many luxury customers want.”
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