Emilie Meyer
Pots and pans are essential in every kitchen, but they can be tricky to store, especially in a small kitchen. They come in various shapes and sizes, and they can be too large for a standard kitchen drawer. You'll want to keep them close to the stove, but how do you store them without taking up precious counter space? Here are some creative and stylish solutions for storing pots and pans in a small kitchen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Above the stove, inside a cabinet, on a wall, on a ceiling, in a toe-kick drawer, on a kitchen island, in a pantry, on a rolling cart, or on a window |
| Hanging or stacking | Hanging options include pot rails, pegboards, hooks, hanging pot racks, floating shelves, and pullout hanging racks; stacking options include using a wire rack, divider, or lid organizer |
| Accessibility | Should be easily accessible, ideally near the range, and within arm's reach |
| Space-saving | Use deep drawers, vertical space, or slide-out/roll-out organizers to save space |
| Decoration | Pots and pans can be incorporated into the kitchen's decor by hanging them on a wall or ceiling |
What You'll Learn
Use a designated cabinet
If you have a cabinet to spare, designating it for pots and pans is a great way to keep your cookware organised and easily accessible. Here are some tips for making the most of your cabinet storage:
Stacking and Dividing
When stacking pots and pans in a cabinet, it's important to consider the order in which you stack them. Stacking them in size order, with smaller pots at the bottom and larger pots on top, can help you see everything and prevent smaller items from getting lost at the back. You can also place lids upside down on top of their corresponding pots to create a flatter surface for stacking. Additionally, using a cookware rack as a divider can help keep pans organised and prevent them from scratching each other.
Sliding and Rolling Racks
Installing a slide-out or roll-out rack within a cabinet can make it easier to access your pots and pans. These racks allow you to hang pots and pans inside the cabinet, reducing clutter and utilising space efficiently. If you don't want to install a permanent fixture, you can also use a freestanding rolling cart with shelves or cabinets to store your cookware.
Cabinet Door Storage
Don't forget about the space on the inside of your cabinet doors! You can utilise this space by adding a cabinet door shelf or a pot cover rack. A cabinet door shelf can provide extra room for storing pots and pans, while a pot cover rack lets you store all your lids vertically, freeing up space in your cabinet.
Pull-Out Drawers
If your designated cabinet has deep drawers, consider adding a pull-out drawer or a tiered shelf to create a designated storage area for your pots and pans. This can help keep your cookware organised and easily accessible, especially if you use a divider or rack to separate different types of cookware.
Customisable Storage
If you're feeling creative, you can reclaim corner cabinets by replacing the lazy Susan with a custom storage solution for your pots and pans. This can provide a savvy way to keep your entire collection in one place, making use of the often-underutilised corner space. You can also add plywood dividers to deep drawers to create cubbies for your pots and pans, ensuring they stay organised and scratch-free.
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Install a hanging rack
Hanging racks are a great way to save space and keep your pots and pans within arm's reach. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install a hanging rack in your kitchen:
Step 1: Choose a Hanging Rack
Hanging racks come in various sizes and styles. Select one that fits your kitchen's size and aesthetics. Consider the weight limit of the rack and ensure it can support the weight of your pots and pans.
Step 2: Decide on the Hanging Height and Location
Choose a spot that is within your reach, typically over kitchen islands, sinks, or counter areas. Keep in mind your usual cooking and prep areas so that your utensils are always close at hand. Ensure that the rack does not block ceiling lights or natural light sources and avoid hanging it directly above the stove, as the pots and pans may collect grease. A good rule of thumb is to hang the rack approximately 42" above the counter space below.
Step 3: Gather the Necessary Tools and Supplies
You will need ceiling screw hooks, chains, and, if needed, 2x4" x 4' wooden beams to mount the rack between ceiling joists. These supplies are typically included with the purchase of the hanging rack.
Step 4: Locate the Ceiling Joists
Ceiling joists are the horizontal supports that your ceiling is attached to. Use a stud finder or look for nails or nail heads in the drywall to locate them. Mark their location with a pencil or masking tape.
Step 5: Drill the Pilot Holes
Measure the distance between the chains of the hanging rack and mark the ceiling accordingly. Drill the pilot holes, ensuring they are not larger than your ceiling hooks. Keep the rack squared over the chosen location, such as the counter, island, or sink.
Step 6: Secure the Chains and Attach the Rack
Screw the ceiling hooks into the drilled holes and hang the chains. Adjust the chain length as needed to achieve the desired hanging height. Finally, attach your chosen hanging rack to the chains and hang your pots and pans.
Remember to consider the weight of the pots and pans when choosing a hanging rack and ceiling anchors. By following these steps, you can efficiently utilise your kitchen space and create a functional and stylish storage solution for your pots and pans.
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Save deep drawers for pots
Pots and pans are essential in every kitchen, but they can be challenging to store. They often don't fit in standard kitchen drawers, and you might not want to use up precious counter space. Deep drawers can be a great solution for storing pots and pans, especially if they are narrow. These drawers can be deep enough to store pans with their lids on, keeping everything together and making it easy to grab what you need.
If you're renovating your kitchen or installing new drawers, it's worth considering adding some bigger, deeper drawers specifically for pots and pans. You can also add dividers to these drawers to create individual compartments, making it easier to organise and find what you need.
Deep drawers are also a great place to store bulky items like stand mixers, as well as larger appliances with their attachments. This keeps them out of the way but still easily accessible. You can also use these drawers to store dishware and mugs, creating a tea or coffee station with all your essentials in one place.
Another benefit of deep drawers is the ability to utilise stackable organisers. These organisers allow you to see everything inside while maintaining easy access. Just be sure to only store frequently used items on the top level, so you don't have to move too many things around to reach what you need.
Overall, deep drawers can be a lifesaver when it comes to storing pots and pans in a small kitchen. They keep your cookware organised, easily accessible, and out of the way, making your kitchen feel more spacious and efficient.
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Utilise pantry space
If you're lucky enough to have a pantry, this can be a great place to store your pots and pans. It makes sense to keep your most-used items near your cooker, but larger, less-used pots and pans can be stored neatly in a pantry. This frees up space in your kitchen cabinets for the items you use more regularly.
If your pantry is large enough, you can also use it to store other specialty appliances that you don't use regularly. A walk-in pantry is ideal, as it makes everything easily accessible.
One way to make the most of your pantry space is to use wire tiers to add additional layers for pans, with dividers to keep pot lids in place. You can also use Command hooks on the inside of the door to hang pot holders and oven mitts.
If you don't have a pantry, you could consider investing in a storage shelf to act as a pantry and pot holder for your larger stock pots.
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Hang pots and pans above the stove
Hanging pots and pans above the stove is a practical way to save space and keep your cookware within easy reach. Here are some tips to help you maximise your small kitchen storage by hanging your pots and pans above the stove:
First, consider the weight of your cookware. Make sure the hanging rack is sturdy enough to support the weight of your pots and pans. You can find hanging racks in various styles and materials to match your kitchen's hardware and aesthetic. Choose a rack that complements your kitchen's design while also being functional.
Next, decide on the placement of the rack. You can mount the rack on the wall behind the stove or on the underside of the upper cabinetry. Ensure that the rack is installed securely and safely. If you have limited wall space, consider installing hooks or rails on the underside of a shelf or cupboard to hang your cookware.
When hanging your pots and pans, use hooks to hang them by their handles. You can also hang utensils like spatulas, tongs, and measuring cups. Keep the items you use regularly within arm's reach, and consider the frequency of use when arranging your cookware.
If you have high kitchen ceilings, you may want to adjust the length of the rack's chain to ensure easy access to your pots and pans. Additionally, consider the number of pots and pans you plan to hang. While hanging them above the stove is convenient, you may not have enough space to store your entire collection. In that case, you can designate a separate area in your kitchen for the rest of your cookware.
Hanging pots and pans above the stove is a great way to save space and keep your cookware organised. By following these tips, you can efficiently utilise the area above your stove to store and access your most-used pots and pans.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have a small kitchen, you could install a hanging rack for your pots and pans. This could be on a wall, above the stove, or even on the ceiling.
If you don't want your pots and pans out in the open, you could try storing them in a designated cabinet. Stack them in size order and use a cookware rack as a divider to keep them organised.
If you're short on cabinet space, you could try storing your pots and pans on a kitchen cart, such as the IKEA RÅSKOG cart, or on a rolling cart that can be tucked into a corner when not in use.
