12 Nifty Ways To Store Pots & Pans In A Small Kitchen

A Couple Cooking Soup in a Pot

When it comes to storing the bare kitchen necessities like pots and pans, there’s a lot you can experiment with to save space and stay organized. In this article, we jotted down several ways on how to store pots and pans in a tiny kitchen.

There are many methods to organize kitchen pots and pans. You can use hooks, pipes, and even customize furniture to create a convenient storage system in a crowded or limited space.

1. Industrial Pot Rack

Industrial Pot Rack

Hanging Industrial Pot Rack - Photo by Quartknows.com

One of the most efficient and convenient ways to store pots and pans is to hang them. Using an industrial pipe and a bunch of S hooks will do the trick and give you a more visible and organized storage. 

It is also an excellent approach to styling your kitchen while making the most out of any negative space.

What You’ll Need

Directions

Step 1: Outline the footprint and ceiling space

The first thing to do is to measure the space from the ceiling to the counter. Use a stud finder to spot the ceiling joists and use a pencil to mark their locations. Ensure you estimate enough space or head clearance, as well as reachability. Decide whether you’re going for a rectangle or a square pot rack and tape the corners directly below the island countertop. 

Step 2: Assemble the pot rack

Grab your pipe wrench and assemble them according to your measurements. Use the elbow bends to connect corners and ensure they’re tightly twisted for security. You wouldn’t want to be on your kitchen counter with pipes falling as you install them.  

Step 3: Spray enamel on the rack

Check if you’ve removed all the stickers from the pipe pieces. Proceed to move your assembled rack into a well-ventilated area for coating. Use your clear enamel and dry between each coat for full coverage; the enamel will protect the pot rack long term. 

Step 4: Install the pot rack

Before attaching the ceiling joists, grab your pencil and mark the drill locations on the ceiling for a proper fit. This is best achieved with another person holding the rack while you label, then drill wood screws into the ceiling joists. Make sure you have someone helping you at the base as you install the rack. 

Step 5: Place the S hooks and hang your pots

Lastly, evenly space out your S hooks and tighten their grip on the pole using pliers to squeeze the top to close lightly. Take all your pots and pans and hang them up on your new industrial pot rack.

2. Pan Organizers

Five-Tier Pan Organizer 

Another convenient way on how to store pots and pans is to use a pan organizer. Designate a top or bottom cabinet to set the organizer to the side for large and small pans. 

Many organizers come in several tiers, so it is best to check which one fits your kitchen cabinets. You can arrange it vertically or horizontally to pull the pan out for easy meal prep.

3. Screw Hooks

Screw Hooks

Organizing Pots and Pans - Photo by Familyhandyman.com

Extra cabinets don’t have to be a dumping zone for unnecessary kitchen items. You can hang pots and pans using screw hooks in empty cabinets. 

Don’t underestimate something as simple as a hook. You can use it to mount anything and everything, saving some space and even showing you how to organize pots and pans on a budget.

What You’ll Need

Directions

Step 1: Space out the hooks

Using a measuring tape, estimate how much space you want the hooks to be from each other. With bigger cabinets, wider spaces for pots will be ideal. For narrow cabinets, ensure they’re equidistant from each other. Mark the points with a pencil or put a small piece of masking tape on each spot.

Step 2: Attach the screw hooks

Slowly twist in the screw hooks on the marked spots and ensure they are stuck tightly. Ensure you’re twisting in a straight upward motion to avoid slanting or angling the hook. This could loosen your hooks and make them less sturdy. 

Step 3: Hang your pots and pans

Hang your favorite pans and pots and arrange them by size, color, or depth to create a more organized unit—a simple yet affordable hack!

4. Add Partitions and Shelves to Cabinets

Partitions and Shelves to Cabinets

Shelves and Partitions in Kitchen Cabinet - Photo by Familyhandyman.com

Many under cabinets often lack proper shelving or have no shelves at all. You can add horizontal shelves or vertical partitions to create more room for cookware. 

It’s a simple yet effective way to store pots and pans, plus a home improvement you could leverage if you decide to sell your home.

What You’ll Need

Directions

Step 1: Measure your cabinets

Take some time to accurately measure your cabinets, whether it’s the top cupboard or the bottom ones. Base it off the shelf, and make necessary adjustments to maximize every inch of the space.

Step 2: Cut, stain, and finish

This step is the most crucial because you have to ensure they’re cut on all even sides. Check if the woods are straight after cutting and ensure they don’t bend with a bit of pressure. 

Proceed with staining every crevice and corner using your preferred stain or poly finish. Add banding to smoothen the corners by ironing it slowly and cutting the excess bands to get precise corners.

Step 3: Installation

When you’re done assembling your shelves, mark the sides of the cabinet where you will need to screw in the shelf pins. Drill the screws and brackets in place. 

Double-check if they can hold the wooden plank securely and if they’re evenly placed. Open and close the cabinet doors to check if they seal properly and check if the shelves aren’t slightly hindering the doors from shutting.

Step 4: Stack the pots and pans for neat storage

The last step is to organize the pans and pots neatly by stacking them from smallest to biggest to maximize the space. You can do the same for deeper pots for the other shelves. 

Check out this video tutorial to learn more:

5. Insert Tension Cords as a Separator

Tension Cords as a Separator

Tension Rod as a Separator - Photo by Bhg.com

When it comes to organizing your kitchen, you don’t have to spend so much to save space. Try inserting tension cords in two-tier cabinets or drawers to create partitions for pans and pots. It’s an effortless and budget-friendly way to add more storage in a small space. 

You can also adjust how far to space them out based on the bulkiness of your pots and pans. Simply mark down the gaps using a pencil or masking tape before installing them.

6. Hang Pots and Pans Under Your Kitchen Island

Kitchen Island

Another solution is to customize your kitchen island with extra pan and pot storage space. If your kitchen island has a pull-out dining table, try adding screw hooks or S hooks to hang your favorite pots and pans. This is an outstanding alternative on how to store pots and pans if you have more dining space in the kitchen.

All you’ll need are screw hooks and measuring tape. Measure the spots under your table and mark them with a piece of masking tape. Rotate the screw hooks tightly and ensure they can hold even your cast iron skillets. Hang your pots and pans equidistant from each other to avoid rattling.

7. Pull Out Organizer

Deep Pull-Out Organizer

A pull-out organizer is another highly recommended way on how to store pots and pans in your cabinets. Large under cabinet space can be more than just a laundry stasher. You can install pull-out organizers to make a convenient roll-out system for your cookware.

What You’ll Need

Directions

Step 1: Get your measurements right

The tricky part about the roll-out shelving is they often get stuck when sliding. Use a tape measure to get the accurate measurements of the space between the cabinet side, including the back of the drawer slide. Grab your two-inch cleats from plywood and ensure the length is the same as the drawer slides. 

Set the two cleats against opposite sides of the bottom cabinet and get the measurements. Ensure the thickness is less than an inch thick for the slides. The dimension will dictate the total width of the shelf, front to back, including the pine frame. Put the cleats aside for the latter installation.

Step 2: Build the drawers

Check the measurements of the cabinet’s depth. Proceed by using a circular saw to cut the bottom from the ¾” plywood. 

Take your miter saw and make your drawer’s frame by cutting four 1x3 planks. Ensure the side and front pieces are of equal length to secure closed corners properly. Ensure they’re 1.5” longer so they can cover the side pieces.

Clamp the side and pack pieces together. Grab your drill bit and plot in the holes for the screws. Drill two holes through each end of the back piece where they will overlap. Glue the side pieces to the bottom and secure them with screws.

Step 3: Add the drawer front

Drill ¼” deep counterbore holes along the bottom and at the end of the front piece. Refer to the pattern you used earlier for the back piece for equal measurements. Repeat the process to seal the corners of the back and side pieces.

Step 4: Sand, then spray with lacquer finish

Smoothen every surface and corner of the drawers using sandpaper or a sanding block. Remove all the sanding dust with a damp rag or tack cloth. Apply the lacquer finish in an open area for full coverage. Once the lacquer dries, lightly sand the shelf, wipe then apply the second coat of lacquer.

Step 5: Mount and fasten slides and shelves

Remove the rail from both slides and fasten the cleats to the cabinet with one ¼” screws. Secure the cleats with the screws provided. 

Take the rails and set them against the side of the pull-out shelf. Double-check if the rail’s end is flush with the front and from the bottom. Using more screws, attach the rail to the shelf and install the second one on the opposite side.

Step 6: Install and store pots and pans

The last step is to install the rolling shelf by removing the shims from underneath the cleats and drawer slide. Align the sliding rail on the shelf with the slides, gently pushing it towards the inside of the cabinet. 

Double-check if the slides are smooth by pulling and pushing the shelf again. If anything wonky pops up, remove and reinstall.

8. Standing Pot Rack

Standing Pot Rack

If you want to display your colorful pots and pans, get a standing pot rack. They’re great for corner spaces and come in multiple tiers for more storage. 

You can even stack some pots and skillets together to maximize each tier. This kitchen accessory is also ideal for heavier pot cookers like rondeau pots, stock pots, rice cookers, and slow cookers, among others.

9. DIY Ceiling Pot Rack

DIY Ceiling Pot Rack

Make-Shift Ladder Pot Rack - Photo by Fabfromdrab.com

Mounting your cookware is another plausible way on how to store pots and pans. You can DIY a hanging pot rack over the kitchen island for a more convenient storage system to make the most out of your kitchen space.

What You’ll Need

Direction

Step 1: Mark the spots on the ceiling

Mark the spots on the ceiling where you will attach the thread hooks. Use a tape measure to keep the space equidistant from each other. Ensure they will align to the corners of your kitchen island to ensure it’s easily accessible. 

Take note of the distance from the ceiling rack to the top of the kitchen island. This will dictate the length of the rope you will tie to the ends of the ladder. Using your drill, screw in the anchor bolts to the ceiling.

Step 3: Tie the square knots

Take your rope and tie square knots on four corners of the last step on the ladder. Ensure the length from the ceiling rack to the counter is taken into measurement after making the knots. 

Let the rope go through the bolts and make another square knot for a proper lock. Ensure the ropes are evenly hanging from the ceiling bolts and adjust accordingly. 

If you prefer using screw hooks, twist them tightly on the marked spots and let the rope hang from them as you assemble the rack. It will be easier to slide the rope through and adjust without standing on a stepping stool to reach the ceiling.

Step 4: Add the S hooks and hang the pots and pans

The final step is to add the S hooks, followed by hanging your pots and pans. Ensure they’re evenly spaced from each other to avoid clanging and scratching surfaces.

Watch this video tutorial for a visual guide on how to make a hanging pot rack:

10. Pantry Pegboard

Pantry Pegboard

Pans and Kitchenware Hung On A Pegboard - Photo by Buzzfeed.com

If you’re wondering how to mount your pots and pans without a rod or pipe, try a pegboard. All you’ll need is a blank wall space. Put up a pegboard and add S hooks to distribute and display your pans flat on the board.

It is an excellent idea, especially for those who own copper pans and pots, adding a pop of color in the kitchen.

11. DIY Wooden Board Pot Hanger

DIY Wooden Board Pot Hanger

If you’re wondering how to organize pots and pans with limited kitchen storage, a board and some hooks might help. A simple DIY could elevate your space and can give you back cabinet space for bulkier appliances in your kitchen.

What You’ll Need

Directions

Step 1: Measure and mark the wall

Use a measuring tape and mark the wall with masking tape or a pencil. These marks are where the drill bolts will be screwed on. Make sure they’re even to secure the stability of the board. 

If you prefer to alter the texture of the wooden block, proceed with varnishing every surface and ensure they’re dry and smooth before drilling any holes.

Step 2: Drill the holes for the screws

Grab your drill bit and drill in the wood screws with the washers to create a snug fit for the handle pulls. Ensure you’re only drilling halfway through the block.

Next, turn the wooden block and place your drawer pulls over the block. Arrange them next to each other, with no gaps in between the bars. Using your pencil, mark the base of each bar by adding a dot inside each traced hole to avoid slipping when drilling.

Step 3: Insert the nickel drawer pulls

The nickel drawer should assemble to a total of 25” in length over the block. Remove the bars and proceed with drilling halfway through the traced holes. Slip the bolts through the holes and ensure the washers go in first before inserting the drawer pulls.

Step 4: Install the rack

Once again, hang up the wooden block with butterfly bolts with the drill bit. Make sure they’re leveled before drilling all the way in. Check for any excess dust from the drilling and wipe it off with a paintbrush.

Place your S hooks and space them evenly depending on how many pans and pots you want to hang. If you want the hooks to stay hung on the bars, use pliers to tighten the top part of the hook.

Step 5: Hang up the pans and pots

Lastly, secure the tightened hooks and hang your pots and pans. Add some weight to check the durability of the whole rack, then make adjustments if needed.

Here’s a video showing how to use scrap wood as a hanging pot rack:

12. Reclaim Your Corner Cabinets

Corner Cabinets

Organized Corner Storage - Photo by Thekitchn.com

Don’t waste your corner cabinet space and put them to good use with an easy DIY. Add a tension rod and a couple of S hooks to organize your pots and pans. This method is ideal for those who own several pans and pot ware.

You can even use the bottom space to store lids and bigger cook pots that you don’t always use, including rice cookers, pressure cookers, and even colander.

Conclusion

There’s a ton of simple hacks that teaches you how to store pots and pans effectively. If you’re handy and love to build things from scratch, you can also try the various DIY projects in this post. 

If you like any of our suggestions on how to organize pots and pans, let us know in the comments.

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