How to organize pots and pans in a small kitchen
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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12 of 16
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.
10 ways to keep cookware neat |
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(Image credit: Neptune)
By Tara King
published
Organizing pots and pans is an essential part of creating a practical kitchen that runs smoothly day to day. Rummaging around in cabinets for that large frying pan you know is ‘in there somewhere’ is not an efficient use of anyone’s time, and certainly not conducive to a relaxed and enjoyable cooking experience.
We can testify to that.
Organizing pots and pans can be tricky. They’re big and bulky yet require prime position when it comes to organizing a kitchen as they’re so often used. By keeping your cookware in an orderly state, you’re organizing your kitchen to great effect, ensuring they’re close to hand and easily accessible. Not to mention quick to put away afterwards, resulting in a neat, tidy and functional kitchen overall.
Organizing pots and pans
It may feel like a daunting task but establishing good kitchen storage and a hardworking organization system for pots and pans now will save you both time and effort in the long run. Here, we’ve compiled our own step-by-step guide – including top tips from experts – to ensure you organize pots and pans, perfectly.
1. Assess your current collection
(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)
Before planning any kind of organizational system for your pots and pans, you’ll first need to get everything out to see what you’re working with.
‘Start by taking everything out and laying it on a surface – that way you can see exactly what you’ve got and start to work out which storage systems might work well for you,’ says professional organizer Lucy Mansey , dubbed ‘the Marie Kondo of Britain’ by her celebrity clients.
2. Work out what you really need
(Image credit: Neptune)
Unless you’re a professional chef, the chances are you have too many pots and pans. Having three frying pans when you only use one is not convenient – it’s just clutter. A good decluttering will cut down on unnecessary items and leave you with just the ones you use regularly.
‘Having a specifically-sized pot isn’t going to make your food taste any better, so be brutal,’ says Emma Cowburn, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones . ‘A small cookware collection is far easier to store and keep organized.’
As well as tackling multiples, think of items that could potentially play double purpose to keep things simple.
Cast-iron pots that go straight from oven to table, or Pyrex baking dishes that go from oven to fridge, for example.
3. Stow away occasional cookware
(Image credit: Humphrey Munson)
During the streamlining process, you’ll likely come across pots and pans that you don’t use every day yet use often enough to justify keeping hold of – items you might use just for entertaining, such as oversized casserole dishes and baking trays, for example.
There’s no hard and fast rule that says all kitchen storage must be in the cooking zone, so think outside the kitchen for these items – particularly if you’re looking for small kitchen storage ideas or organizing a pantry. ‘I have a sideboard in the dining room, right next to my kitchen, where I store my bulky crockpot’, says Alexandra, co-founder and interior designer at Clairrow . ‘I don’t use it every day and relocating it means I free up storage space.’
4. Position pots and pans near the cook zone
(Image credit: Future)
Positioning your pots and pans carefully is key.
Whether they’re in drawers or cabinets, locating them near to the stove and cooktop enables easy access when cooking, cuts down on wasted walking time and adds a general sense of continuity to the room. You might alternatively want some hanging up or on shelves to make them even easier to grab, but if you’ve been keeping any on working surfaces, move them to one of the above options as part of organizing kitchen countertops.
While you’re rethinking kitchen layout ideas, it’s also worth positioning non-cooking related kitchen items such as crockery, glassware and cutlery, away from your pots and pans. This is particularly important if you like to entertain. That way, two people can carry out tasks in the kitchen without tripping over each other.
5. Dedicate space in a deep drawer
A wide, deep drawer will likely allow you to store all your pots and pans in one readily accessible space, which is much easier than rummaging around at the back of a cabinet – particularly as you’ll be using them nearly every day.
‘Drawers can really come in handy for organizing and storing your pots and pans. Graduated drawer units like the ones in our Suffolk collection give you the option to neatly store lids in the shallower drawer at the top, and deeper pots in the bottom,’ says Stephanie Nix, kitchen designer at Neptune .
Organizing kitchen drawers properly for pots and pans can really pay off. To avoid rattling when you open and close the drawer, consider installing an internal pan rack to allow easy access and space around each item. There are vertical and horizontal ones available so you can utilize the drawer space available to best effect.
Lining the bottom of the drawer also reduces noise as well as protect pots and pans from scratches. A pegboard liner is a clever hack. You can simply adjust the dowels to separate casserole dishes from frying pans, and so on – it’s great for keeping things organized.
For pots and pans that are used less regularly, you might want to consider making space for them when organizing deep pantry shelves.
6. Customize a corner cabinet
(Image credit: Neptune)
Organizing kitchen cabinets – and especially corner cabinets – for pots and pans can be notoriously difficult. They are particularly difficult for accessing and storing items in, but if you invest in clever kitchen cabinet ideas, they can become one of the most practical places to store your pots and pans.
‘Racks that slide along and out of the unit when you open the door make use of all available space in a user-friendly way, taking the stress out of heavy lifting from awkward angles and neatly displaying larger pieces like pots and pans’, says Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Commercial Design at Life Kitchens .
7. Arrange by size on open shelving
(Image credit: DeVOL)
Open kitchen shelving is a great option for organizing (attractive) pots and pans and is extremely efficient in terms of speed and accessibility. Plus, it can make for a stylish focal point in your kitchen when done properly.
It’s worth noting that having everything on display, however, is an ongoing commitment. It’s vital that you keep things organized. Arranging pots and pans by size and use is easy to maintain and brings a neat, orderly feel to your kitchen.
As well as on open shelving, Heather Hoerzen, design editor at Havenly believes there’s also a styling opportunity to be had by displaying good-looking pots and pans on the cooker top.
‘My Le Creuset pan looks lovely enough to leave out daily; it brings little design love to our stovetop scene – and means our morning eggs that much quicker to make!’
8. Take a professional approach
(Image credit: Future)
Take inspiration from a chef’s kitchen by hanging pots and pans from the ceiling. It’s an effective way to corral them into order, while taking pressure off your cabinet space.
‘There are lots of options for hanging that can double up as a feature of the room. Pot rails enable them to be hung from a wall, cabinet or island, while a pot rack is a good option for high up storage, much like you’d find in a working restaurant kitchen,’ says Daniel Bowler, director of Eggersmann UK .
Arrange by size and use to make it easy to cater for crowds. However, if you’re not one for entertaining, this might not be an organizational tip for you – frequent use is the best way to eliminate dust.
9. Store lids separately
(Image credit: Future)
Storing your pots and pans with the lid on is not the most efficient use of space – something worth considering if you’re planning to organize a small kitchen. It leaves no opportunity for stacking, plus they can separate easily and end up rattling around or lost at the back of a cabinet somewhere. Experts advise storing them separately for a more manageable organization system overall.
Speak to a kitchen designer about having bespoke organizer inserts or inner drawers installed for storing pan lids. Or for a less permanent solution, professional organizer Vicky Silverthorn of You Need a Vicky suggests ‘mounting a rack on the back of the cabinet door that you can slot lids into’. Position them opposite their counterpart so you can match them quickly and easily.
If you’re storing pots and pans in deep drawers, stack lids vertically along one side, using tension rods to separate them.
10. Stack sensibly
Pots and pans can be difficult to deal with when they’re stacked on top of each other. Ideally, you’d want to avoid stacking altogether, but there’s no denying it’s a space saver. To minimize hassle, implement an efficient stacking system.
First, group by use; frying pans, saucepans, casserole dishes, etc, then stack by size starting with the largest on the bottom. Stack one inside the other, or if you’ve got the height space, keep the lids on your pots but flip them upside down so the handle is facing downwards. This will keep lids and pots together, and makes for a flatter, smoother surface for stacking the next pot. Be sure to use protectors in between each pot and pan to prevent scratching.
‘You could consider investing in multi-use or stackable sets rather than holding onto a selection of mismatched pans which don’t all fit together can save copious amounts of space,’ advises Joanna Thornhill , interiors stylist, writer and author of The New Mindful Home (Laurence King Publishing).
How do you neatly organize pots and pans?
To neatly organize pots and pans, streamline what you’ve already got by cutting down on multiples and prioritize double-purpose items to create a smaller, everyday collection. Store occasional cookware separately.
Group pots and pans by use: frying pans, saucepans, casserole dishes, etc, to enable ready access. Stack groups by size, starting with the largest on the bottom. If you’ve got the height space, flip the lids upside down to create a smooth surface for stacking the next pot. In cabinets, use internal pan racks and risers, and line drawers with a pegboard to keep items neatly organized.
Store lids separately. Slim inner drawers positioned above your pots and pans are ideal, but if this isn’t an option, consider an over-the-door rack to slide lids into, or stack them vertically in drawers, separated by dividers or tension rods.
If you’re displaying pots and pans out on show, arrange by size and use, and stay on top of organization to avoid a cluttered feel.
Where is the best place to store pots and pans?
Cookware should be positioned as close to the range or cooktop as possible whether you’re organizing a small kitchen or a large one – to ensure it runs smoothly, so it’s important to factor this in when deciding where to store your pots and pans.
Deep drawers are arguably the most effective storage option. They offer plentiful space for big and bulky pots and pans, pull right out so you can see exactly what you have and leave room for organizational helpers such as risers, dividers and inserts. Slim inner drawers positioned above also work well for storing pan lids separately.
Pots and pans can be stored in cabinets, however, consider installing pull-out racks that slide all whole way out, particularly in corner units, to ensure a more functional system – no one has time to scramble around in the back of a dark cabinet looking for lost pan lids!
You can also make a feature of your pots and pans by storing them out in the open, either on open shelving, ceiling-hung pot racks or hanging from rails.
Bear in mind that they will need to be kept well organized at all times to avoid your kitchen looking cluttered.
For 10 years, Tara King worked as a Content Editor in the magazine industry, before leaving to become freelance, covering interior design, wellbeing, craft and homemaking. As well as writing for Ideal Home, Style at Home, Country Homes & Interiors, Tara’s keen eye for styling combined with a passion for creating a happy – and functional – family home has led to a series of organization and cleaning features for H&G.
How to store pots in the kitchen to be convenient: 6 smart solutions
Don't have time to read the article? Watch the video!
1 On rails
If there is not enough space in cabinets and drawers, you can use this storage option - hang small pots and ladles on the rail above the work surface. The convenience is that you can remove the desired item even with one hand, you do not have to get the entire stack of pots out of the cabinet.
IKEA
The only drawback of this storage idea is the impossibility of making the kitchen space minimalist. Even small buckets on the railing still attract attention. And, if aesthetics are important to you, you should pay more attention to the choice of dishes.
2 In pull-out baskets
Storing pots in stacks saves a lot of space, and if there is not enough space in the kitchen, this is perhaps the only way to fit all the dishes. In this option, there is a drawback - it will no longer be possible to get the desired pan from below in one second. And if they are in a swing cabinet on a shelf and pushed further away, you will have to spend a little more time searching. This is not very convenient.
Instagram @ya_katyafi
For a swing wardrobe, you can choose sliding metal baskets instead of conventional shelves. Thus, it will not be necessary to get everything that is on the shelf in order to climb into the far corner.
3 With divider in drawer
Not the most compact storage option, but convenient and allows you to keep your cooking utensils in order. You can make an organizer with your own hands, for example, from wooden slats, or buy it in a store.
Instagram @yourpersonalorganizer
Life hack: if you decide to buy such an organizer (or make it yourself), consider rearranging the dividers and pay attention to this when choosing finished products. It will be convenient to adjust the width of the divisions at will, because you can update the dishes sooner or later.
4 On a rack
Look at this storage option - all the pots and ladles are displayed on the counter top. The option is definitely not for lovers of an empty work surface and not for a small kitchen, but owners of spacious rooms and lovers of convenience should definitely pay attention to this method.
Instagram @cosrack
It is very easy to get the desired item from such a shelf, and to make it look more aesthetic, put pans of the same color or from the same material, carefully monitor their cleanliness.
5 On drawers
When designing a kitchen, think about what and where you will store in advance. If you have a lot of pots, pay attention to such a mechanism - retractable modules, on which cooking utensils are stored in a suspended state.
Instagram @thespruceng
It is probably also possible to integrate such modules into a finished kitchen, but it will take more effort. And if you are just doing a kitchen project, be sure to take note.
6 On a pegboard
Perforated boards - or pegboards - are versatile. They are used in children's rooms, offices, bathrooms, hallways, closets and garages. And in the kitchen, they will also find a use - you can store pots and cooking utensils in this way.
Instagram @loribethstudios
If you are not confused by the visual component of this method, then go for it. To harmonize the interior, try different options for the arrangement of dishes and try to choose pans of the same color.
Material prepared by
Anastasia Dubrovina
How to store pans in the kitchen in the closet and not only
If you love to cook and can't resist buying new kitchen utensils, then it's no wonder that finding a place for your next purchase is not easy.
How do you store pots in the kitchen without damaging the interior and exterior coatings, and have quick access to pots and lids without cluttering up the space? Explore the ways of rational storage and find out what useful devices exist for this.
In this publication:
How to store pots in the cupboard
First, don't store old pots that you no longer use. We need to get rid of battered and lined kitchen battlefields. A scratched non-stick coating is of little use, and pieces of peeled Teflon are harmful to health. In the fight for kitchen space, the principle is simple: less is better.
Secondly, many well-known manufacturers (eg Tefal, Cristel, Hatamoto) produce pots with removable handles.
It is very comfortable! They can be used not only on the stove, but also in the oven, and the removable handles save space.
Thirdly, evaluate the cabinets available in the kitchen. In wall-mounted structures it is convenient to store pans like a “matryoshka”: when a large one contains a medium one, and that one contains a small one. Covers in this case are stored separately. If the height of the cabinet allows, then you can cover the large one using the “lid inward” method, and put a smaller saucepan on top, which in turn can also be covered with a lid. This method is called "pyramidal".
For roll-out cabinets, it is convenient to store pots immediately with the lid covered. Here everything is at hand and you don’t have to look for anything.
Heavy metal bottom can damage ceramic, Teflon, or any other non-stick coating. Especially with the storage method "one into the other." Dividers for dishes are affordable, look elegant and reliably protect pots from mechanical damage.
They come in:
- plastic;
- made of synthetic materials;
- made from natural fibres.
Storage outside cabinets
If there are many dishes or cabinets, use other storage methods. The simplest thing is to arrange the pans on the cabinets, but they will be dusty and covered with grease and soot. A more thorough wash is required.
Roof rails or wall panels
Railings, or wall panels for storage, have recently become popular with housewives in the kitchen. In Europe, this method of storage is not inferior to the option with the usual cabinets.
Roof rails are horizontal rails or rails that can be attached to a wall or any other surface. It is easy to remove the lids there, and by attaching hooks to them, you can hang pots, ladles and even pans, if they are not very heavy.
It is better not to overload the roof rails. If you get tired of this storage method, you can put the pans back in the cabinet, and hang, for example, potholders and a towel on the freed beams.
The danger of the balcony and the Khrushchev refrigerator
Saving space in the kitchen, many housewives store pots regardless of the season on the balcony or in a Khrushchev refrigerator. This is such a camera under the windowsill in the kitchen in the houses of the old Soviet buildings.
It is better to store dishes that are rarely used, iron, enamel or aluminum. Because, for example, the ceramic coating is fragile and deteriorates with sudden changes in temperature.
That is, if you have just taken a pot out of the refrigerator and immediately put it on the fire, ceramics are subjected to serious strength tests. A year of operation in such harsh conditions - and your favorite dishes will have to be mercilessly thrown away.
Storage in plain sight
Some housewives are not bothered by the sight of empty pots, ladles and pans. So much so that they are ready to openly demonstrate kitchen utensils to their neighbors. In this case, the storage place is organized on the crossbar directly above the windowsill.
This option is more suitable for summer cottages and private houses with high fences than for city apartments. Window storage will "eat" some of the sunlight that enters the window.
Many people store pots in a niche or just hang them above the dining table at the level of the lamp. This peculiar variant came from Scandinavia. Bold designers went one step further by placing 9 cooking utensils0103 on hooks under the table .
To save space in the kitchen, store silicone molds, napkins, towels, bags, stock of spices in empty pots that you rarely use. If you protect the coating, you can put other items inside.
How to store lids
Pot lids in the kitchen are conveniently stored on the inside of the cabinet door. You can easily find duct tape hooks in hardware stores that are easy to attach to the inside of a cabinet door.
Special lid organizers are also available in stores. They are inexpensive, and the benefits from them are maximum.
