Emilie Meyer
Pots and pans are essential in every kitchen, but they can be tricky to store. They're often too big for drawers, and you might not want to give up precious counter space. Plus, with their various shapes and sizes, finding a place for them can feel like a puzzle. Here are some ideas for where to keep your pots and pans in the kitchen:
- Designated cabinet: Keep your pots and pans in a specific cabinet, organised by size, with a cookware rack to divide and protect them.
- Hanging rack: Install a hanging rack on the ceiling or wall to display your pots and pans. This works well if you have limited cabinet space but plenty of wall space or high ceilings.
- Pantry: If you have a pantry, use it to store larger, less frequently used pots and pans, freeing up space in your kitchen.
- Above the stove: Mount a rack on the wall behind the stove or on the underside of upper cabinetry to keep your most-used pots and pans within arm's reach.
- Pull-out shelf: Install a pull-out shelf in a corner cabinet to make use of the awkward space and make it more accessible.
- Pegboard: Hang a decorative pegboard on the wall and use it to hang your pans, keeping them within easy reach.
- Oven: Store your most commonly used pots and pans inside the oven when you're not using it. Just remember to take them out before turning it on!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | In a designated cabinet, hanging from the ceiling, on a wall-mounted rack, in a pantry, above the stove, in the oven, in a drawer, on a shelf, in a corner cabinet, in a closet, on a floating island, in a basket, in a bin, in a cupboard, in a basement, in a custom-built cabinet, in a dresser, in a lazy susan, in a pull-out drawer, in a basket, in a bin, in a closet, in a locker, on a shelf, in a toe-kick drawer, on a wall-mounted rack, in a kitchen cart, in an island, in a built-in island, in a kitchen cart, in a pull-out drawer, in a basket, in a bin, in a closet, in a locker, on a shelf, in a toe-kick drawer |
| Organisation | Stacked in size order, with protective covers between, lids stored separately on the backs of cabinet doors, in a lid organiser, in a pull-out drawer, in a basket, in a bin, in a drawer, in a lid organiser, in a pan lid holder, in a pan lid bracket, in a pan lid organiser, in a flat peg organiser, with lids flipped upside down, in a toe-kick drawer, with dividers, in a basket, in a bin, in a drawer, in a lid organiser, in a pan lid holder, in a pan lid bracket, in a pan lid organiser, in a flat peg organiser, with lids stored separately, with lids flipped upside down |
Hanging racks
If you have limited space in your kitchen, consider a hanging rack that can be mounted on the wall or hung from the ceiling. These racks usually come with multiple hooks or bars that can hold various pots and pans of different shapes and sizes. For example, the OROPY 38-inch Pot Bar Rack is wall-mounted and comes with 14 S hooks for hanging pots and pans.
When choosing a hanging rack, consider the size of your kitchen, the number of pots you need to hang, and the style of your kitchen. If you have a small kitchen, look for a compact design that can efficiently use the space available. For instance, the KES Kitchen Pan Pot Rack can hold up to 44 pounds of cookware and can be hung upside down to prevent saucepans from accidentally falling.
If you have a large collection of cookware, you may want to consider a hanging rack with a higher weight capacity, such as the VEVOR 32-inch Black Carbon Steel Ceiling Mounted Pot Rack, which can hold up to 80 lbs.
Additionally, if you want to display your cookware as a decorative element in your kitchen, choose a hanging rack that complements your kitchen's style and decor. For a rustic or industrial look, consider a hanging rack made from wrought iron or pipe, such as the J JACKCUBE DESIGN Hanging Pot Rack, which features rustic wood and metal.
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Pull-out drawers
There are a variety of pull-out drawer options available, from custom-made solutions to off-the-shelf products that can be purchased and installed easily. For example, the Rev-A-Shelf 2-Tier Wire Pull-Out Cabinet Drawer Basket is a sturdy, two-tier organiser that can be installed in most cabinets. It features an extending ball-bearing system that allows you to smoothly pull out and access your pots and pans. Another option is the Lynk Professional® Pull Out Cookware, which features heavy-duty adjustable dividers to securely hold pots and pans of different sizes and styles.
When choosing a pull-out drawer, it is important to consider the size of your cabinets and the weight of your pots and pans. Some products, like the Rev-A-Shelf Wire Pull Out Cabinet Drawer Basket Organizer, can hold up to 100 pounds, making it suitable for heavier cookware. Additionally, some pull-out drawers come with mounting hardware included, while others may require separate purchases for installation.
Overall, pull-out drawers are a convenient and efficient way to store your pots and pans, providing easy access and making the most of your kitchen cabinet space.
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Wall-mounted racks
When choosing a wall-mounted rack, it is important to consider the weight of the pots and pans that you intend to store on it. Some racks can support weights of up to 55 lbs, while others are designed for lighter loads. It is also worth considering the number of pots and pans you need to store and choosing a rack with an appropriate number of hooks or shelves. Many wall-mounted racks come with a set of hooks, but some allow you to add your own, giving you more flexibility.
In terms of installation, most wall-mounted racks come with the necessary hardware and instructions for assembly and installation. It is generally recommended to mount these racks directly into wall studs for maximum stability. If you are renting or cannot drill holes in your walls, an alternative option is to use adhesive hooks or hanging rails that can be attached to the wall without drilling.
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Cabinet dividers
Benefits of Cabinet Dividers
Types of Cabinet Dividers
There are various types of cabinet dividers available, which can be purchased from homeware stores such as Amazon and The Home Depot, as well as more specialised retailers like KitchenSource.com.
Adjustable Dividers
Expandable and adjustable dividers are a good option if you have limited space, as they can be customised to fit your cabinet size and the number of pots and pans you need to store. They are available in a range of materials, including metal wire, steel, wood and plastic, and can be purchased with anti-scratch features.
Fixed Dividers
Fixed dividers are a more permanent solution and are often combined with pull-out drawers or shelves. They can be made from wood or metal and may be trimmed to fit your cabinet size.
Other Considerations
When choosing cabinet dividers, it's important to consider the size of your cabinets and the number of pots and pans you need to store. You may also want to purchase additional storage solutions for lids, which can be tricky to store with their corresponding pots and pans.
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Open shelving
Utilize Floating Shelves
Floating shelves not only provide extra storage space but also double as a display for your decorative kitchenware. Store smaller, lightweight pots and pans that you use regularly on floating shelves so they're always within reach.
Add a Freestanding Shelf
If you're short on cabinet storage, consider adding open shelving. Think vertically and use a piece like a ladder shelf. It will give your kitchen an industrial vibe and provide much-needed storage for your pots and pans. It can also be a great spot to display your favourite cookbooks and mugs.
Make Pans into a 'Shelfie'
If you love the eclectic, country look, consider displaying your pots and pans on open shelving. Line up a row of burnished copper cookware on solid timber shelves. Hang shelving around the stove area to maximize accessibility, especially in small kitchens where the backsplash is often unused.
Stick to one type of material, such as copper or aluminium, if possible, and ensure that the handles all face the same way. Don't worry about scratches and a well-worn patina, as this will only add to the character of your kitchen.
Conceal Behind a Screen
For a clutter-free look, you can hide your pots and pans behind closed doors. Consider installing large, floor-to-ceiling cupboards with smooth, glide-out drawers and internal organizers. Alternatively, hang a sliding glass panel so you can choose to conceal or reveal parts of your cookware and crockery as desired.
Stash Outside the Main Kitchen Zone
Not all your pots and pans need to be within arm's reach of your stove. Less frequently used items can be stored in another area of the kitchen, such as a sideboard or a pantry. Streamlining your cookware is essential in a small kitchen, but it's also useful in an average-sized space to create a more efficient storage system.
Do a Pots and Pans Audit
Before organizing your cookware, assess what you have. Lay out all your pots and pans and ask yourself: Are they in good condition with matching lids? Do you need them all? Can less frequently used items be stored outside the kitchen?
Be brutal and get rid of the pots and pans you don't need. With a curated collection, you'll find it easier to store them, stacking them inside one another. You can also consider using a pegboard to slot your lids into.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're limited on cabinet space, you could try installing a hanging pot rack, either from the ceiling or on the wall. Alternatively, you could use a pull-out shelf in a corner cabinet, or a decorative pegboard to hang your pans on the wall.
If you're storing your pots and pans in a cabinet, it's a good idea to stack them in size order, with protective covers in between to prevent scratches. You could also use a cookware rack as a divider to keep them organised and prevent scratching.
Lids can be stored on the backs of cabinet doors, either by attaching pan lid holders or using command hooks. Alternatively, you could store them in a drawer near your stove, using a lid organiser to keep them in place.
