How to Store Pots and Pans in Your Kitchen

When you’re running low on counter, cabinet and floor space, look to the ceiling. While the thought of hanging cookware above your head might seem like an accident waiting to happen, with a bit of DIY savvy or the help of a skilled contractor, you can install a sturdy pot rack on your ceiling that holds all your most-used pots and pans and displays them beautifully over your kitchen island or stovetop. You can pick up a high-quality pot rack from your local hardware store or online and turn the installation into a weekend project.

Stacking isn't always an option if you’ve purchased items of different shapes and sizes from multiple brands. But if you have a cookware set or individual items from the same manufacturer, you may have luck nesting the pots and pans together. If this is the case, be sure to protect your pieces from scratches, nicks and rust by placing a few sheets of paper towel or an actual kitchen tea towel between them. If they come with lids, store them on the side of a cabinet door or hang them on a pegboard (see below).

Pegboards are functional and affordable storage solutions for every room of your house, including your garage and bedroom. In the kitchen, pegboards can be a versatile way to keep everything from pots and pans to kitchen shears, spatulas, ladles, immersion blenders and other tools. (You can even make spice racks out of them.) One of the best features of a pegboard is that you can continually reconfigure the pegs to create new ways of storing both items and additional racks or organizers.

Do you have a gorgeous Le Creuset or vintage Magnalite cast aluminum pan that you inherited from your grandmother? Rather than adding to a sense of clutter, your best cookware can be its own colorful, eye-catching statement that adds a touch of rustic charm or modern flair to your kitchen decor. Just let it air dry after washing on your counter, stove or the top of your refrigerator until you need it next.

An expandable pan organizer is a fantastic solution for making the most out of your cabinet space. These organizers are designed to fit within standard cabinets and typically feature adjustable slots or dividers that hold your pans upright, eliminating the need for stacking. Some pan organizers even have a pull-out mechanism that allows you to grab what you need without having to dig through a pile of cookware. Best of all, storing your pans vertically in this way not only saves space but also protects your pans from scratches and dents, keeping them in better condition for longer.

Using the inside of your cabinet doors for storage is a smart way to maximize every inch of space in your kitchen. Cabinet door racks are specially designed to hold lids and smaller pans, keeping them organized and out of the way. These racks can be mounted easily with screws or adhesive strips, making them a quick and convenient addition to your kitchen. Using this often-overlooked space behind cabinet doors frees up valuable shelf and drawer space for larger items. Similarly, you can transform your pantry door into a handy storage solution. Pantry doors can typically hold pots, pans, lids and larger items than cabinet doors can hold.

Though slightly more expensive, another solution to tidying up your pot and pan pyramid is building a custom drawer that’s deep enough to hold all your cookware. This storage option keeps everything tucked away when not in use but still in arm’s reach when you need it. If you’re planning your dream kitchen in your forever home, add custom drawers to your list of renovations — and be sure to take lid storage into account as well, with a separate slot in the back to keep them organized.

A simpler alternative to the ceiling pot rack, the tension rod is a great way to make use of vertical space if you have high ceilings or want an easier way to reach your pots and pans. These adjustable rods can be placed vertically or horizontally within a cabinet to create customized storage compartments. By positioning tension rods vertically, you can create individual slots for each pan, preventing them from stacking and making them easier to access. Horizontally placed tension rods can serve as makeshift shelves or dividers for storing lids or smaller cookware items. The beauty of tension rods lies in their versatility and ease of installation; they can be adjusted to fit any space without the need for tools or permanent fixtures. Set up the tension rod wherever you have room on the wall or in a large cabinet, then buy heavy-duty S-hooks that you can loop into the holes on your cookware’s handles.

Lazy Susans are a versatile and space-saving solution for organizing pots and pans, particularly in corner cabinets where you might be struggling to effectively use the space. These rotating shelves allow you to access all your cookware with a simple spin, eliminating the need to reach deep into cabinets. Lazy Susans come in various sizes and designs, from full-circle to half-moon shapes, and can be made of materials like wood, plastic or metal to match your kitchen’s aesthetic. They’re particularly useful for storing various pots, pans and lids, as they keep everything visible and within easy reach, reducing the time spent searching for the right item.

The humble bar cart is such a versatile and convenient storage solution that you might find yourself buying several to keep around the house. Keep oft-used pots, pans and kitchen appliances on the top shelf (the perfect station for a rice cooker, Instant Pot or other clunky tool) and nest the others below. Wheel the cart into a discreet corner when you need to clear space.

If your kitchen doesn’t have enough wall space to install a towel rod or set up a pegboard, don’t fret — your pots and pans don’t have to stick together. Instead, attach sturdy hooks to the sides of cabinets, islands, or anywhere else you can squeeze a piece of cookware or two, filling in each small gap of empty space wherever it presents itself.

The backsplash behind your sink isn’t an obvious canvas for storage, but it can be the perfect space for a pegboard or pot rack. Even better, you can hang your just-washed cookware and let it all drip right into the sink overnight. Once everything is dry the next morning, you can move your pots and pans into cabinets or other storage spaces or continue to display them on your backsplash.

It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, but a wire rack with multiple shelves is one of the easiest ways to store your pots, pans and other kitchenware. (There’s a reason many cooks and chefs, including Ina Garten, love them.) What this type of open shelving lacks in aesthetics, it more than makes up for as a budget-friendly and sturdy option that provides easy visibility and access to all your kitchen goods. We recommend keeping a foldable stepstool nearby to help you safely reach items on the highest shelf.

Storing pots and pans in a self-storage unit can be a practical solution for managing kitchen overflow and seasonal cookware. For instance, large appliances and cookware items that you only use during holidays or special occasions — such as turkey roasters, oversized stockpots or deep fryers — can be safely stored in a self-storage unit to free up space in your kitchen. Additionally, suppose you've taken advantage of a recent sale or promotion and bought new pots and pans that you don’t need immediately. In that case, a storage unit can keep these items safe until you’re ready to use them. This approach helps maintain an organized and clutter-free kitchen at home and ensures that only your most frequently used items are within reach.

If you plan on storing your pots and pans in a storage unit, remember to properly pack them with protective materials, such as bubble wrap or padding, and label the boxes clearly to make retrieving them easy.

Need more quick answers to your questions on organizing your pantry or other items in your kitchen or storage unit? Check out:

• 8 Small Kitchen Organization Ideas to Clear Space
• 5 Easy Tips to Organize Your Pantry
• 8 Tips for Organizing or Reorganizing a Storage Unit