Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Do your pans end up looking like this? Try one of these solutions. Shutterstock/Luke SW

Where's the smartest place to put pots and pans?

They’re awkward, they take up loads of space, and you need to get at them all the time. Where should pots go?

PROBABLY THE BULKIEST items to be stored in the kitchen are our saucepans, pots, and pans. But they’re also things that we need to access every day – so clever storage is essential.

There are two basic options here: hidden storage and open storage. The former tends to suit modern, minimal, and formal style kitchens, whereas the latter works well in a more relaxed, rustic, or industrial style kitchen. Let’s explore some of each.

1. Get smart with a pot drawer

If you have ample kitchen cabinets, the obvious answer is to store pots and pans in a dedicated drawer. Ikea sells a range of kitchen cabinets with two-tier drawer inserts – ideal for storing pots underneath and lids on the top tier. Another alternative is to retrofit a sliding drawer to existing kitchen cabinets, making it much easier to access items at the back of the cupboard.

2. Create a display with a wall rack

For an easy-to-reach option, consider mounting a wall rack close to your hob. A rail fixes to the wall, with a row of hooks from which to hang your most commonly-used pots.

Copper pots especially would have been traditionally hung in this way, so that they became part of the kitchen décor as well as a functional item. With modern iterations of the copper pot enjoying renewed popularity, alongside new ranges of more colourful options, a wall rack of pots could become a great feature in your kitchen.

Shutterstock / Rob Byron Shutterstock / Rob Byron / Rob Byron

3. Go vertical with ceiling-mounted hooks

For a rustic or industrial look, or if wall space is limited, a ceiling-mounted rack works really well. They come in a range of finishes from iron and wood to sleek stainless steel. Hang it above a kitchen island or peninsular unit to avoid banging your head!

Hanging racks also provide a great space for drying herbs and chillies etc. if you are a keen cook.

4. Make the most of an underused corner

For a budget option, or where cupboard space is limited, a pot stand can turn a tiny corner into an ideal storage space for your pots and pans. It is an ideal way to display a collection of designer kitchenware, or you can alternate the tiers with potted plants to make it more visually appealing.

5. Reorient around a kitchen island

If you don’t have an island unit as part of your fitted kitchen furniture, consider adding a portable version. These can either become a permanent fixture in the room, or be wheeled to one side when not in use. You can store all your pots and pans in the body of the island, and it has the added benefit of also providing extra worktop space.

More: Where should I hang the coats if my hallway is tight for space?>

Author
Norma Owens
View comments
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel