How to organize pans
16 Creative Ways to Organize Pots and Pans in Any Kitchen
By
Grace Gallagher
Grace Gallagher
Grace Gallagher is a lifestyle expert and writer with five years of experience covering home furnishings, storage, and organization. She has also written for Greatist, Veracity Selfcare, Brit + Co, and others. Grace also taught creative writing workshops in Portland, Oregon.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 08/03/22
@nycneat_louisa
Pots and pans are an essential part of every kitchen, but they're notoriously hard to store. Most pots and pans are too large for an average kitchen drawer, and you may not be excited about the idea of devoting precious counter space to pots (which aren't always the prettiest). Because pots and pans come in so many shapes and sizes, and you'll probably want them at least somewhat close to the stove, it can feel like a puzzle trying to get them all stored away in a way that makes sense. These pots and pans storage ideas will get your kitchen more organized and leave it uncluttered.
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01 of 16
Store in a Designated Cabinet
@theneatsquad
If you're going to use a cabinet for pots and pans, the organization is key for making sure you can see everything and no smaller pot gets lost in the back. Here pots are stacked in size order and a cookware rack acts as a divider to keep pans organized without scratching each other.
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02 of 16
Install a Hanging Rack
@bbdesigncontractors
These pans are collectibles rather than everyday staples, so they get a moment to shine in the dining room area. An oval pot rack can showcase a lot of pots since the ceiling-mounted solution is strong and sturdy.
However, be sure to always check the weight limit and make sure your ceilings can handle the weight. If your ceilings are particularly high, you may want to lengthen the chain on the rack so you can reach them more easily. -
03 of 16
Use a Tiered System
@themollybeffect
A simple tiered holder is perfect for storing pans vertically. They won't get scratched this way, and you'll use space that would otherwise be empty. You can find storage racks like this online or at most organizations or home goods stores.
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04 of 16
Bring in Some Greenery
@lana_rose_interiors_stafford
A pot rack is a gorgeous and efficient solution, especially in smaller kitchens. It frees up a cabinet and makes for a lovely focal point in the room if decorated. The greenery strung on the rack adds interest and warmth, making the rack a part of the decor.
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05 of 16
Utilize Pantry Space for Large Pots
@afreshspace
It usually makes sense to keep your favorite pots and pans near the range.
However, larger soup pots and other more special-occasion items can be stored neatly in a pantry (if you're lucky enough to have one this big) alongside other more specialty appliances that you don't use regularly. It'll also be easily accessible if you have a walk-in pantry closet like the one shown above. -
06 of 16
Hang Pots and Pans Right Above the Stove
@nycneat_louisa
Here, a gorgeous brushed pot rack hangs above a range. You can find a hanging rack to match your hardware and style of your kitchen. This way, the pots and pans become part of the decor. Hanging racks are also great for storing spatulas and other kitchen tools you'll want just an arm's length away.
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07 of 16
Create a Wall
Laura Cattano
For a chic industrial kitchen look that's super practical, install hanging pot racks against a bare wall. The vertical space would otherwise go unused, and this keeps pots and pans in sight but out of the way.
A great trick is to tuck the lids behind the bars. -
08 of 16
Save the Deep Drawers for Pots
@nycneat_louisa
Deep drawers are a godsend when it comes to storing pots. These drawers are deep enough that the pans can be stored with their lids on. If you're renovating a kitchen, installing some bigger drawers is always a good idea, and a more narrow one works well for pans.
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09 of 16
Divide by Shelves
@nycneat_louisa
If you're struggling to find a place to store your pots and pans, the first thing you may want to do is edit your collection and pare it down to just the favorites. Here Le Creuset pots get their own stage (er, shelf), stainless steel pots are stacked in size order, and a pan divider keeps pans separate.
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10 of 16
Place Cabinet Dividers
@afreshspace
A divided kitchen cabinet is so helpful for storing awkwardly shaped items that have a tendency to get lost (like baking sheets and smaller pans).
You can always add dividers into your drawer, but if your kitchen has dividers built-in, or you're designing a kitchen from scratch, built-ins are a great way to go. -
11 of 16
Store Large Pots in the Pantry
@afreshspace
It's nearly impossible to find a good place to store a stock pot... unless you have pantry space to spare. It's hard not to love a stocked and organized pantry, especially when it has room for pots and other appliances you bought with best intentions but may not use all that much in reality.
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Separate Lids
@neatbymeg
This storage solution is somewhere between a pantry and a cabinet. The wire tiers add additional layers and space for pans while the dividers for pot lids assure you'll never have to go searching for the one lid you need. What makes this extra creative are the Command hooks behind the door that are used for storing pot holders and oven mitts.
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13 of 16
Install Built-in's
@kimhalfkept
Built-in drawer dividers are great for storing pots and pans, just make sure you have enough depth that the handle can fit and the drawer still closes.
Lids, steamer baskets, and other kitchen accessories also fit. If your drawers don't already have installed built-in's, DIY your own. -
14 of 16
Consider Open Shelving
@iknownothingaboutinteriors
Open floating shelves are great for storing anything from dry goods to pot lids when they're this organized. A hanging rack for smaller pots looks like a seamless extension of the shelves; it frees up space and also gives the kitchen a farmhouse feel.
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15 of 16
Double the Pot Racks
Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens
Double wire racks keep the area directly overhead clear while cooking (so tall people don't bump into any pots). Even the top of the pot rack is used for storing lids and other non-essentials (you just may need a kitchen stool to get them down).
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16 of 16
Make It a Part of the Theme
@burcharddesignco
A vintage-looking pot rack completes a farmhouse-style kitchen.
Whether you use it for storing the pots and pans you use regularly, or it's for showing pans you collect, this simple style wooden dowel with hooks could be bought or recreated with a DIY.
Regardless of your thoughts on cooking, every kitchen needs pots and pans; it can just be less than palatable thinking of ways to store them all. These pot and pan storage ideas will inspire you to find clever ways of organizing your pots and pans, so you can find what you're looking for.
11 Genius Ways To Organize Pots & Pans
Home / Organizing / 11 Genius Ways To Organize Pots & Pans
Organizing
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Organizing Pots and Pans can be a real headache if you don’t have the right tools. Stacking them isn’t always the best option because they are hard to get in and out, and makes for a very unorganized cabinet.
So today we have rounded up 11 Genius Ways To Organize Pots and Pans.
These ideas will help you get your pots and pans organized and stay organized!
11 Genius Ways To Organize Pots and Pans
This is my own pots and pans cabinet and I must say that it is my favorite cabinet in our kitchen! I love it. It stays organized pretty much all of the time and it is so easy to get pots and pans in and out of. I only keep pots and pans in my cabinet that we regularly use to cut down on clutter and then I organize them with a pot organizer and lid organizer!
Read The Full Post Here!
Use Pan Organizers
Need to organize your pots, pans, and baking dishes in one cabinet? Use wire pot organizers to stack all of your cooking ware. This is a great idea when you don’t have a lot of cookware or space to work with!
Image Credit: The Kitchen
Use Tension Rods
This idea from Better Homes and Gardens is a cheap and brilliant hack. Stand up your pots, pans, or cookie sheets and separate them with small tension rods.
This will keep your pans from toppling over and keep you organized! Plus its a super cheap way to stay organized!
Image Credit: Good House Keeping
DIY Drawer Dividers
Have a deep drawer in your kitchen? Store you pots and pans in it with these DIY Drawer dividers! See exactly how to make them here!
Image Credit: Seeded At The Table
Use A Towel Rod
This is a brilliant way to organize pots and lids if you don’t have the cabinet space. These people used an industrial towel bar and S hooks to hang their pots and pans and hold their pot lids!
Image Credit: Pinterest
Use an Adjustable Pots & Pans Organizer
When you want to organize your pots and pans on the same rack, you need an adjustable pots and pans organizer! These are so handy to keep all of your pots and pans together and you only have to use one organizer! Grab this one for less than $25.
Image Credit: Organizing Home Life
Use A Spare Pantry
Emily from Simple Life Of A Fire Wife is lucky enough to have two pantries to organize her pots and pans! (I’m so jealous) So if you have two pantries, you could organize your pots and pans just like Emily! I love how she used a pot organizer and lid organizer as well!
Image Credit: Simple Life Of A Fire Wife
Hang Pots and Pans
Hanging your pots and pans is a great way to keep them organized and save space! You can easily hang your pots and pans by attaching hooks to the top of a cabinet.
I love this idea because then you still have the base of your cabinet to store your lids or more pots and pans!
Image Credit: Tara Dennis
Pull Out Organizer
Bending over to pull out pots and pans can be difficult for some. If you have trouble accessing your pots and pans, this pull out cabinet organizer for pots and pans is exactly what you need! It takes up very little space and makes it super easy to access all of your pots and pans! Grab yours here!
Pots and Pans Cabinet Organizer
This pots and pans organizer is what dream kitchens are made of! This organizer installs directly into your kitchen cabinet and makes it so easy to keep all your pots and pans organized. It’s a little pricey but if you are in the market for the perfect way to organize pots and pans, this is it! Check it out here!
Need more ways to organize your pots and pans? We love these!
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Reader Interactions
How to store pans: 10 fresh ideas
1 Shelf with hooks
Shelf with hooks will help you conveniently and compactly organize the placement of frying pans, pots and stewpans.
It will also perfectly fit into the concept of open storage and will suit those who resolutely refuse the upper closed cabinets of the kitchen set.
aliexpress.com
2 Drawer
The deep, roomy drawer is the perfect place to store essential utensils. To make it easy to find the right frying pan (and also to keep it in order it was not at all difficult), provide special divider inserts. nine0005
Instagram @opolezno
3 Perforated panel
Perforated panels (pegboards) are an up-to-date, flexible and multifunctional solution that allows you to organize your own storage system for almost any purpose. They can be supplemented with hooks, containers, roof rails and other accessories.
Why not use this move to place frying pans in the kitchen? You can fix the pegboard on the wall surface or supplement it with a retractable headset element (using even a very narrow space with maximum benefit).
nine0005
Instagram @organizator_prostranstva_nk
4 Pull-out organizer
Complementing the headset cabinet with a special pull-out organizer accessory, you can neatly and stylishly solve the problem of storing frying pans. It also makes better use of the available space.
Instagram @organizator_prostranstva_nk
nine0028 Stainless steel rack1069
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5 Tier Organizer
If you prefer to store your pans in a horizontal position, the dedicated tier organizer is for you. It is not very expensive and allows you to abandon stackable storage in favor of faster access to the right dishes. nine0005
Instagram @gh_interior
Dish storage organizer
905
Buy
6 Drawer organizer
If the idea of drawer dividers is not to your liking, there is another way to conveniently arrange pans in the drawer.
A special organizer allows you to quickly find and get the dishes you need without rearranging everything from place to place and without wasting time looking for the necessary things among the stacked utensils. nine0005
Instagram @takeuchi_sasai_kayoko
7 Desk organizer
If there is absolutely no place in the headset cabinets to store frying pans, a desk organizer can help out. By the way, it is not necessary to place it on the countertop (especially if it does not please the area anyway): it can be placed on a wall shelf, on a microwave, refrigerator or windowsill.
Instagram @tidyliving
nine0028 Holder for pans and lids913
Buy
8 Ceiling module
Idea for the brave - a special ceiling module designed to store frying pans, stewpans and other utensils.
It would be especially appropriate to look above the kitchen island. Minus: such an element of decor visually clutters up the space. Therefore, when referring to it, it is better to minimize otherwise open storage and not get carried away with wall decor. nine0005
Ideally, if the ceiling module and selected dishes look like a single whole and serve as a highlight of the interior.
Instagram @reclaimedmichigan
9 Railing
Railings, familiar to many housewives, can help organize and place pans. By the way, you can use them not only for open storage, but also for organizing space inside headset cabinets.
aliexpress.com
nine0002 10 Pull-out baskets Pull-out baskets will help turn the lower cabinets of the headset into a place for comfortable placement of frying pans and other utensils. You can find them at almost any manufacturer of kitchens and storage systems: you will see how much more convenient and faster it will be to find what you need with such an accessory.
IKEA
Material prepared
Ekaterina Boglevskaya
Storage of pots, pans and lids
An inquisitive mind is about us! Today, the Everything in Place team decided to deal with the storage of pots, pans and lids for them. The idea for the article came about when one of the participants raised the issue of storing these kitchen utensils in our closed WhatsApp chat, and many supported her.
Pots and pans take up a lot of space. Their number in different families can reach a dozen, or even more. And covers are generally violators of order in many kitchens. You can’t put them in a neat pile: they are of different sizes, convex, and even the handles stick out ...
Well, let's see how others are, and what ideas the browser search has thrown up.
Assessing the enemy
If you are thinking about how to clean up your kitchen utensils, then before reading the article further, take care of the calculations.
The first action when putting things in order is to throw out the unnecessary. The second is to evaluate the rest.
We throw out the unnecessary.
I strongly advise you to collect all the supplies of pots and pans in one place and assess the condition of each. Surely among them there are those that do not look very good: non-washable soot, dents, exfoliating steel bottom, chips on the enamel, Teflon coating with “tatters”. Do you like them? Are they fun to cook in? It is better to leave two or three neat pots and cook in them with pleasure! nine0005
Afraid you won't have enough cooking utensils? Simply transfer cooked food to reusable containers with lids before putting them in the refrigerator. With containers, by the way, it is more convenient to organize its contents. Round pots with domed lids take up a lot of space, you can't see what they contain, and transparent rectangular containers can be stacked one on top of the other.
Calculate the rest.
Even if you do not dare to throw something away, the "general meeting" of pots and pans will not hurt. You will be able to estimate the number of dishes and lids for them. And knowing the number, you can choose options for organizing. nine0005
Pyramid
A friend sent me a photo of her drawer of kitchen utensils. She keeps pots and lids in sets: she flips pot lids upside down and puts them on top of the pot. You can put a smaller pan on the resulting flat area, an even smaller one on it, etc. Sort of a pyramid.
Pros :
• the method is suitable for deep and tall drawers (and there are many of these in our kitchens and it is always unclear how to organize them better),
• You take a pan and the lid is right there, no need to look for it in other places.
Cons :
• Not all pots allow you to treat yourself like this. For example, the lid on the steel pan at the very top of the stack in the photo is unstable (I have the same one) - you can’t put anything on it.
Saucepan + lid
A variation on the previous storage method - pots are stored together with lids without piling up on top of each other. For the happy owners of ample storage space in the kitchen. Note:
1. Drawers are great for this method.
2. You can make dividers in the drawer, guided by the size of your dishes, so that you can return them to their place without thinking and without choosing a place each time.
3. But even ordinary cabinets can be converted into pull-out shelves.
4. How do you use corner cabinets? If they are a perpetual mess, then think about the fact that pans on roll-out or spinning shelves would perfectly get along in corner cabinets. Search in your city, and you will surely find a company that re-equips ready-made kitchen sets. nine0005
5. By the way, is it necessary to put pots on ? If you have a large collection of saucepans (pots with long handles), then you can hang them.
If the handles of the lids allow, then even together. And Teflon and ceramic-coated pans will appreciate such gentle handling.
Thus,
Pluses :
• Convenient to take, easy to put back in place, dishes are immediately complete with a lid.
Cons :
• Requires roll-out drawers or special hangers, which are not available in every kitchen (but rails are not too expensive).
Roof rails
Speaking of roof rails! When storage space is scarce (like in my kitchen, for example), they can come in handy and provide an easy way to store pans and lids.
Pluses :
• railings are inexpensive and multifunctional (if you don't like how the covers stand, you can hang something else). nine0127 Cons :
• Dishes stored on rails should look, if not perfect, then very decent.
But the roof rails don't have to be visible.
Attach them to the inside of the cabinet door, and the lids will be inseparable from the pots. At the same time, they are easy to take and return to their place.
Pay attention to an interesting life hack. The "hidden" storage shown above can be organized with Velcro hooks . The lids are not too heavy and the hooks hold them perfectly.
Matryoshka
But the most popular way, which is used by many participants in the discussion: put pots and pans one into the other, and store the lids separately. At the same time:
1. Covers can be placed side by side.
2. Can be placed in an adjacent drawer (for example, in the lower deep pan, and above, in the "shallow", or in the additional section - the lid). nine0005
Pluses :
• Pots stacked together take up minimal space.
Cons :
• This method does not guarantee order in the rows of caps.
