Stumped by Where to Put Your Pots and Pans?
These creative storage solutions will free up valuable space in your cooking quarters
There’s more to designing a kitchen than selecting cabinetry, appliances and surface materials. Numerous smaller details must be taken into consideration, including how and where you store your kitchen tools. Pots and pans pose a particular challenge due to their size and bulk. You want them stored in a way that makes them easy to grab for cooking, but you may not necessarily want them on full display in your kitchen. And stacking them three or four deep in a closed cabinet is just not optimal, especially if you cook often. Here’s help finding the best storage option for you, your kitchen and the way you cook.
The first thing to decide is whether you want your cookware on view or hidden. This is a personal preference; some people like the look of hanging pots and pans, and others prefer a clean, uncluttered look. If you don't cook often, I'd recommend storing your pots and pans in a pantry or closed cabinet, so they don't collect grease and dust.
I’ve seen pot racks fashioned from old wooden window frames (without the glass), doors and ladders for a charming, one-of-a-kind storage solution.
Linear wall rack
For a more streamlined look, arrange your pots and pans in a line on the wall using a linear rack.
For a more streamlined look, arrange your pots and pans in a line on the wall using a linear rack.
Linear racks are nice if you want your pots and pants easily accessible yet not necessarily taking centre stage – as they tend to do with a traditional pot rack hung in the middle of the kitchen. This is also a better option in a galley or smaller kitchen, as it takes up much less space.
This gorgeous copper-clad cookware definitely deserves to be seen. But again, in a tighter space you may not be able to suspend a large pot rack from the ceiling. Double up on linear racks and you can store a large number of pots and pans on the wall.
Above-range shelf
If you use your cookware daily, you may want to store it on a shelf right above the range. If you opt to store cookware in the open and you cook often, you’ll want to have a vent hood that can pull grease out of the air and exhaust it to the outside, so that your pots and pans don’t end up covered in grease.
If you use your cookware daily, you may want to store it on a shelf right above the range. If you opt to store cookware in the open and you cook often, you’ll want to have a vent hood that can pull grease out of the air and exhaust it to the outside, so that your pots and pans don’t end up covered in grease.
Window display
Normally I’d be opposed to hanging something in a window that obstructs the view out or light coming in, but there is something so charming about pots and pans hung in a kitchen window. For many this may be the only place to hang cookware, and it could help obscure a less-than-ideal view.
Normally I’d be opposed to hanging something in a window that obstructs the view out or light coming in, but there is something so charming about pots and pans hung in a kitchen window. For many this may be the only place to hang cookware, and it could help obscure a less-than-ideal view.
Pegboard
Try making your own pegboard pot rack. It’s a great DIY project, and you can customise the rack with the exact size, colour and hook configuration you desire.
Try making your own pegboard pot rack. It’s a great DIY project, and you can customise the rack with the exact size, colour and hook configuration you desire.
Hung under the island
Not sure you want pots and pans hanging prominently, but don’t necessarily want to store them away in a cabinet? Here’s a nice hybrid option – hang your cookware underneath the island.
Read more: On Display: 10 Stylish (and Tidy) Ways to Arrange Open Kitchen Shelves
Not sure you want pots and pans hanging prominently, but don’t necessarily want to store them away in a cabinet? Here’s a nice hybrid option – hang your cookware underneath the island.
Read more: On Display: 10 Stylish (and Tidy) Ways to Arrange Open Kitchen Shelves
Pots and pans suspended underneath a benchtop don’t have to look industrial or utilitarian. This cookware is easy to fetch (and put away) but remains tucked away in a niche under the island for a clean, modern look.
Open-base cabinet shelves
This is another good option for those who want their cookware visible and handy but not on full display. Again, dust and grease accumulation can be an issue if you don’t use the cookware often and if you don’t have adequate kitchen ventilation.
This is another good option for those who want their cookware visible and handy but not on full display. Again, dust and grease accumulation can be an issue if you don’t use the cookware often and if you don’t have adequate kitchen ventilation.
IF YOU LIKE YOUR PANS HIDDEN…
Deep drawers
Deep drawers work well for storing cookware, but if you love to cook, be sure to have enough drawers so you can set your pots and pans in one layer – they’ll be easier to see and pull out. A separate area for lids also will keep the drawer neat and easy to use.
Deep drawers
Deep drawers work well for storing cookware, but if you love to cook, be sure to have enough drawers so you can set your pots and pans in one layer – they’ll be easier to see and pull out. A separate area for lids also will keep the drawer neat and easy to use.
If you have a cooktop or range top, you can use the drawers in the cabinet below for storing your cookware. Make the bottom drawer deep enough to store your pots, with the corresponding lids stored in a shallower drawer above.
Corner cabinets
Corner cabinets can be a great storage spot for cookware, especially if outfitted with a wire-rack lazy Susan. You can clearly see everything stored on both shelves, and then spin the rack to access whatever you need.
Read more: Clever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation
Corner cabinets can be a great storage spot for cookware, especially if outfitted with a wire-rack lazy Susan. You can clearly see everything stored on both shelves, and then spin the rack to access whatever you need.
Read more: Clever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation
Pantry wall
Here’s my own solution to storing cookware. My pots are stored in deep drawers in a base cabinet, and my pans are hung on a pegboard inside my pantry.
Now I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t very pretty, but I wanted to find a use for this small section of wall inside my pantry and realised it was the perfect spot for frying pans.
It was an affordable DIY project using pegboard, some lengths of timber and paint. As you can tell from the wear on the outside of my pans, I cook a lot. I wanted them to be accessible without necessarily being on display. This solves the storage challenge nicely – they’re out of sight yet easy to get to, and they make use of an underutilised wall in the pantry.
TELL US
How do you store your pots and pans? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Stylish Storage: 10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
Why Not Hang Your Pots and Pans?
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
10 Storage Ideas for Your Herbs and Spices
Here’s my own solution to storing cookware. My pots are stored in deep drawers in a base cabinet, and my pans are hung on a pegboard inside my pantry.
Now I’ll be the first to admit this isn’t very pretty, but I wanted to find a use for this small section of wall inside my pantry and realised it was the perfect spot for frying pans.
It was an affordable DIY project using pegboard, some lengths of timber and paint. As you can tell from the wear on the outside of my pans, I cook a lot. I wanted them to be accessible without necessarily being on display. This solves the storage challenge nicely – they’re out of sight yet easy to get to, and they make use of an underutilised wall in the pantry.
TELL US
How do you store your pots and pans? Share your ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Stylish Storage: 10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
Why Not Hang Your Pots and Pans?
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
10 Storage Ideas for Your Herbs and Spices