Buy or DIY: 12 Clever Solutions for Storing Pots and Pans

Keep cookware from taking over your kitchen by upcycling materials you already have on hand, or purchasing a ready-made cabinet organizer.

By Savannah Sher and Tracy Anderson | Updated Oct 11, 2022 11:33 AM

Storage Solutions

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Storage Solutions

No matter how large your kitchen, there never seems to be enough room for all the cookware. Pots are bulky, their shapes and sizes vary, and those pesky lids seem to have minds of their own. Still, we don't have to sit back and live with the mess. We love the idea of upcycling materials like ladders and piping into pot storage racks; those less inclined to wield power tools will find plenty of readymade options here for corralling cookware, too.

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1. Go Over Board

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DIY Pegboard rack for pots and pans

Sometimes the simplest solutions create the biggest "wow!" factor. With nothing more than a basic pegboard—and a few pegs and hooks—you can hang a whole lot of kitchen gear. If you want to jazz the display it up a bit, paint playful painted outlines around your tools and pots so you can remember what goes where.

Wayfair

2. Roll Me Away

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Sliding Rack

Sometimes a store-bought storage solution, like this one from Lynk Professional=, is your best bet for keeping lids in line and sheet pans vertical. This heavy-gauge sliding wire rack glides out easily for accessibility and tucks out of sight for a clutter-free kitchen. 

RELATED: These Cabinet Customizations Are Totally Worth It, According to Pro Organizers

amazon.com

3. A Different Point of View

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DIY Pot Rack

Those of us with small kitchens know that every square inch counts. In this modest space, a window is just the right size to accommodate a simple rack that's perfect for hanging handled cookware of all shapes and sizes. You may have to sacrifice the view, but you'll make up for it in convenience.

istockphoto.com

4. Divide and Conquer

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Dura Supreme Cabinets

This custom Dura Supreme cookware storage solution features a shallow compartment for lid storage that's installed in the upper section of a deep drawer. Arrange your pots and pans below, and you'll never again waste time hunting for lids.

RELATED: Buyer's Guide: The Best Drawer Organizers

durasupreme.com

5. Upcycle Copper Pipes

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DIY Hanging Pot Rack copper pipes

If you’re a DIYer who has more home improvement scrap material than you know what to do with (and you want to give your kitchen that “too cool for PEX pipe” vibe), use copper plumbing pipes to hang your cookware—or ask Etsy seller Johnnie and Suzie to make a custom rack for you. The copper piping is stunning, sturdy and fits right in with the ever-popular farmhouse-industrial aesthetic.

Johnnie and Suzie via Etsy.com

6. Sliding into Home

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Cabinet Organizer

Another way to buy your way out of cookware clutter is this sliding system from SOYO. Made from heavy-duty stainless steel, the rack has a weight capacity of 150 pounds. Finally, a place we can hang those cast-iron Lodge skillets!

amazon.com

7. Off the Rack

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How to Store Pot Lids

Stacked neatly inside one another, pots and pans aren't the biggest obstacle to a tidy kitchen—it's the lids! Keep them in line by hanging them inside cabinet doors. The only hardware you'll need is a handful of adhesive Command hooks, spaced to fit each lid.

sutherlands.com

8. Climb the Ladder

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Repurposed Ladder

If you can't trust your old, wooden ladder to support your weight, perhaps it can be repurposed to organize your pots and pans. A ladder plus cookware is a lot of weight to bear, so be sure to secure it to the joists in your ceiling before hoisting it up.

RELATED: 9 New Things to Do With Old Ladders

A Rustic Garden via Etsy

9. Kick it Up a Notch

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toe kick drawer

Would you believe us if we told you that your kitchen had storage space that you didn’t even know about? Many kitchen cabinets have unfinished bases with decorative trim affixed to their front panels. Rather than leaving this space unused, consider installing toe-kick drawers, which are perfect for storing sheet pans and other cookware. While this project is doable for an experienced DIYer, it may be necessary to hire a professional in order to achieve a look that blends in with your existing cabinetry.

Sweeten.com

10. Don’t Go in Blind

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10. Don’t Go in Blind

Many kitchens are designed with blind corner cabinets, which feature valuable storage space that’s tricky to access. Make the most of every inch of your cabinets by installing a pull-out organizer that’s specifically designed for these difficult spaces. They’re perfect for storing pots and pans of varying sizes, and each shelf slides out independently for optimal convenience. 

Wayfair.com

11. Install Floating Shelves

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Floating shelves pot storage

Many storage solutions for pots and pans are purely functional and don’t focus on aesthetics, but what if you have attractive cookware that you want to display? Enameled Dutch ovens and other bakeware come in fun colors and can be displayed as kitchen decor. If you have unused wall space, consider adding floating shelves that allow you to show off your favorite pieces.

RELATED: How to Install Floating Shelves

lecreuset.com

12. Stand Up

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Corner pots and pans storage
If your kitchen lacks cabinet space but you’ve got an empty corner that’s going unused, consider a standing cookware storage rack. These standalone storage solutions feature several tiers, allowing users to stack their most used pots and pans so that they’re easily accessible. This particular model features eight tiers, measuring 68 inches high, and takes advantage of your kitchen’s vertical space.

Amazon.com

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