Tiffany Haney
Pots and pans can be notoriously hard to store, especially in a small kitchen. They come in various shapes and sizes, and you'll probably want to keep them close to the stove. If you're looking for ways to store your pots and pans efficiently, there are plenty of creative storage solutions to consider. From utilising wall and ceiling space to making the most of drawers and cabinets, here are some ideas to get you started on organising your kitchen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Above the stove, in a cabinet, on a wall, in a pantry, on a kitchen island, in a drawer, in an oven, in a closet, in front of a window, under a cabinet, on a ceiling, in a sink, on a shelf, in a coat closet, on a rolling cart, in a pull-out cabinet, on a floating shelf, in a toe-kick drawer, on a pegboard, in a deep drawer |
| Items | Pots, pans, lids, spatulas, utensils, baking sheets, cutting boards, copper cookware, sheet pans, muffin tins, pizza pans, etc. |
| Accessories | Hooks, rails, racks, dividers, organisers, pegboards, wire baskets, rods, S-hooks, ladder, cart, rolling island, floating shelves, etc. |
| Considerations | Weight limit, ceiling height, accessibility, frequency of use, space, stacking, protection, style, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Use a designated cabinet
If you have the cabinet space to spare, using a designated cabinet to store your pots and pans is a great way to keep them organised and easily accessible. Here are some tips for making the most of your cabinet storage:
Organisation is Key
Pots and pans come in various shapes and sizes, and stacking them inside a cabinet can lead to scratches and a frustrating rummage every time you need to retrieve one. To avoid this, stack your pots and pans in size order and use a cookware rack or shelf liner as a divider to keep them organised and scratch-free. You could also use old pot holders, cut-to-size drawer liners, or another type of lightly padded material to act as a buffer between your stacked pans.
Make Use of Vertical Space
Cabinets with pull-out drawers or sliding shelves can help you make the most of the vertical space inside. These can be purchased and installed, or you could make use of existing drawers by dividing them with plywood to create cubbies for your pots and pans. If you don't have pull-out drawers, consider using a sliding or rolling cabinet organiser, which can be purchased and installed to help you reach items at the back of the cabinet more easily.
Keep Lids Close by
Storing lids inside pots is a great way to save space, but it can be frustrating when you need to find a specific lid. Keep lids close by, either by storing them upside down inside the correct pot or by using a lid organiser inside the cabinet or attached to the back of the cabinet door.
Only Keep What You Need
Finally, when space is limited, it's important to be selective about what you keep in your cabinet. Only store pots and pans that you use regularly, and consider storing special-occasion items elsewhere until you need them.
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Install a hanging rack
Hanging racks are a great way to save space and keep your pots and pans within easy reach. They can also add a decorative element to your kitchen, especially if you have a collection of attractive cookware. Here are some tips for installing a hanging rack:
First, consider the location of your hanging rack. A popular option is to install it near the stove, as this keeps your cookware within easy reach while cooking. You could also hang it over a kitchen island, but this generally works better in kitchens with high ceilings. If you don't have much wall space, you could try hanging a few pot rails across a window, adding a decorative touch without blocking too much light.
Next, think about what type of hanging rack you want. You could go for a simple metal rack with hooks for hanging your pots and pans, or a more elaborate design with tiers for vertical storage. If you have high ceilings, consider adding length to the fixture's chain or attaching the rack to a beam to ensure you can easily reach your cookware. For extra sturdiness, mount a metal rack directly to a ceiling beam instead of drywall.
When installing your hanging rack, always check the weight limit and ensure your ceiling can handle the weight. If you're mounting the rack on a wall, make sure it's sturdy enough to support the weight of your cookware.
Finally, don't forget to consider storage for your pot and pan lids. You could store them separately in a cabinet or drawer, or hang them on the rack itself. One creative idea is to hang the lids from the handles of their corresponding pots and pans.
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Stack and store lids separately
Stacking pots and pans is a precarious activity due to their varying shapes and sizes. If you're working with a small kitchen, you can save space by stacking your pots and pans and storing the lids separately. Here are some ideas for storing your lids:
Command Hooks
Use Command hooks to store lids on cabinet doors. You'll need two hooks per lid, placed at an angle that matches the circumference of the lid. This allows the lid to slot down and stay in place. Alternatively, you can place the hooks regularly and hook the pan lid handles over them.
Magnetic Knife Strip
If your lids are magnetic, you can hang them on a magnetic knife strip. Most lids have a raised lip that a hook can grab onto.
Wire Shelf
Make use of the slats on the top of a wire shelf to stack your lids.
Pot Lid Organizer
Purchase an adjustable and expandable pot lid organizer that fits inside your cabinet or drawer.
Cabinet Bar or Rod
Install a towel bar or tension rod inside a cabinet or behind a pantry door. Slide the lids between the bar so their knobs hold them in place.
Ceiling or Wall-Mounted Rack
Hang a ceiling or wall-mounted rack and place the lids on top.
Pull-Out Shelf
Install a pull-out rack or shelf in a kitchen cabinet.
Drawer Dividers
Cut plywood pieces slightly shorter than the length of a kitchen drawer and use them as drawer dividers to separate your lids.
Plate Rack
Repurpose a draining rack or plate rack inside a cupboard to hold your lids.
Peg Board
Use a wooden peg board to store and display your lids. Place two pegs on the board, one on either side of the lid, to keep it in place.
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Store large pots in the pantry
Storing large pots in the pantry is a great way to keep your kitchen organised, especially if you have limited cabinet or drawer space. Here are some tips to maximise your pantry storage:
Utilise Height
Make the most of the vertical space in your pantry by installing wire shelves or racks. These can be placed at different heights to accommodate pots of various sizes, ensuring easy access and efficient use of space.
Stacking and Nesting
Nesting your pots can save a lot of space, but it can also be tricky, especially with larger pots. To protect your cookware and prevent scratches, use paper towels or felt protectors between each pot. Stacking pots with their lids on can also save space, but if that's not possible, store the lids separately. Command hooks on the pantry walls or doors can be a clever way to keep lids organised and accessible.
Pantry Organisation
Keep your pantry well-organised by grouping similar items together. For example, you could dedicate a section of your pantry specifically for cookware, with large pots on the bottom shelves and smaller, frequently used items at eye level. This will ensure that you can easily find what you need and make the most of your pantry storage.
Creative Solutions
If you're feeling creative, there are plenty of DIY options for storing large pots in your pantry. Pegboards, for instance, can be customised with hooks to hang your pots and pans. You could also try mounting a ladder-like trellis or using S-hooks to hang pots from the ceiling or inside pantry doors.
Consider Accessibility
While storing large pots in the pantry is a great solution, consider how often you use these items. It's best to keep frequently used pots and pans closer to the stove or in a more easily accessible location. Reserve pantry storage for larger, less-used items like soup pots or special-occasion cookware.
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Hang pots and pans on a pegboard
If you're working with limited space in your kitchen, hanging pots and pans on a pegboard is a great storage solution. Pegboards are completely customisable and can be installed on any stretch of wall. They also allow you to rearrange pots and pans as you see fit.
To hang your pots and pans on a pegboard, simply install the pegboard on your wall and use an assortment of hooks to hang them by their handles. You can also get creative with accessories, such as using a file sorter to hold lids.
Pegboards come in a variety of colours, including black chalkboard, light blue, vibrant red, and soft yellow. You can also paint it to match your kitchen's style or leave it as a blank canvas.
If you don't have much wall space, you can also install a pegboard on the inside of a pantry door or on the wall of a breakfast nook. This is a great way to utilise vertical space and keep your cookware within easy reach.
Pegboards are a simple and effective way to store your pots and pans, offering both functionality and style.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're limited on space, you can use acrylic shelf dividers to separate pots and pans. You can also hang them from pot rails on a wall, across a window, or from the ceiling.
You can stack them and store lids separately, or nest them with protectors. If you have an island, you can use that for storage, or use a rolling cart.
You can mount a ladder and use S hooks to hang pans, or use a pegboard with hooks to hang pots and pans.
