traditional kitchen by My Sweet Savannah
Pot racks are not always just pot racks. Sometimes they are light fixtures, too. Not only does this pot rack keep the pots and pans at the ready, it provides needed lighting for dining and working in this fabulous kitchen.
traditional kitchen by Frederick + Frederick Architects
This pot rack is also a light fixture, though the lights are a bit more hidden away in the center. Storing your pots and pans in the open would be a tremendous incentive to keep them in pristine condition, wouldn't it?
traditional kitchen by Savvy Seasons
Pot racks can even present a decorating opportunity. Gotta love that!
by Capitol Lighting
Pot racks can display or store more than just pots. Sometimes they are used to hold colanders or even spatulas.

Some pot racks require four chains to hang them as shown in the previous examples. Some just need two as shown here.
traditional kitchen by Witt Construction
Have you noticed all of the pot racks we've look at so far have been light fixtures, as well? If you're in the market for a pot rack with built in lighting, you'll have many choices from which to choose.
mediterranean kitchen by Taylor Lombardo Architects
If you are a serious cook and own a tremendous amount of cookware, you may need an extra long pot rack. This one makes an impressive display and says, "A real cook lives here!"

Notice this pot rack is not mounted hanging from the ceiling. That's probably a good thing due to the weight of that many pots and pans.
mediterranean kitchen by RYAN ASSOCIATES GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Some vent hoods have storage for pots built into the design. Notice how great the copper pots look hanging beneath the copper hood.
modern kitchen by JMA (Jim Murphy and Associates)
If you have a large island, you may want to consider having pot racks on either end.

Usually, pot racks are hung over an island but they can be hung over any surface you choose. You'll just want to make sure there's enough distance between the edge of the surface below to keep someone from bumping into the items you'll be hanging overhead.

Tip: Pot racks are normally hung 42" above the counter surface.
eclectic  hhbrady's ideabook kitchen
If your kitchen is decorated in a casual or country style and you'd like the functionality of a pot rack without the expense, an old ladder just might do the trick.

Tip: Choose a pot rack designed to work well for the height of your kitchen. For a standard 8' ceiling, you'll need a pot rack around 18" tall. For a 9' ceiling, a 30" tall pot rack will work best. For 10' ceiling, you'll need a pot rack that's 42" inches in height.
mediterranean kitchen by Andre Rothblatt Architecture
Wall mounted pot racks are ideal above a sink where the pans can easily be hung once washed.
traditional kitchen by Susan Serra, CKD
These pot racks make great use of what might have ended up as wasted space in this kitchen. Notice they are hung adjacent to the stove, making them easily accessible when needed.
eclectic kitchen by Decor Made Simple
You could display your pans atop a shelf and create a hanging system below for your cooking utensils. A small copper rod makes a great hanging rod.
traditional kitchen by Burton Architecture
Even a corner works well for storing often-used cookware.
contemporary kitchen by David Neiman Architects
How about a hanging system that's almost completely out of sight? This surely beats digging around inside dark cabinets with a flashlight any day!

Comments

Sherri Mathers Susan..Thanks for the great ideas. I think I'm going to try a pot rack over double sinks between two upper cabinets. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
http://twotulipstalking.blogspot.com/
2 years ago · ·
Between Naps on the Porch Sherbear...let me know how that works. That's where I'm thinking of putting one...over my sink area.
2 years ago · ·
stefspad I dabble in feng shui, and I think hanging anything as clunky as pots and pans above a dining surface would make me too nervous to eat. Good for dieting, not so good for digestion.
2 years ago ·
Julie "Small" kitchen? I've had apartments the size of these kitchens!
2 years ago · ·
Between Naps on the Porch Jtomalley...some of these kitchens are definitely not small. :)
Stef...that's interesting about feng shui. Thanks for sharing that info.
2 years ago · ·
Judy I personally don't like hanging pots (or any cooking utensil out in the open) I think unless you run a commercial kitchen, there is no way you would use all of those pots etc on a daily basis. So, you would end having to wash everything twice, first when you want to use it and then again afterwards. I do like the idea of the last picture, but I would still put a door on it. :-) I actually have a friend who has one of these pot racks, and most on the pans hanging are covered in dust. Not a good look. My dream kitchen would have enough storage so that all equipment could be easily reached and custom made for the purpose, (i.e. vertical shelves for trays, oven trays, etc) BEHIND doors, with LOTS of clear workbench space, easily wiped down, without having to move too many things.
2 years ago · ·
gabs2much I'm afraid I agree. Those big drawers are for pots & pans & work exceedingly well, ie no searching, bending, & ultimately hygienic!
2 years ago · ·
samanthastevens I had a gorgeous wrought iron pot rack in my last kitchen. Unfotunately the spiders loved weaving cobwebs around it and the pans showed the dust really quickly. I love the stencilling in the first picture.
2 years ago · ·
wjoy I have always liked the look of a pot rack over an island in other peoples' kitchens but never wanted one myself because as stefspad said, I don't want all that stuff hanging over my head while I'm working at my island. However, I recently downsized and do not have a lot of cabinet space. I solved the problem of pot storage by getting a wall mounted rack like the one in the next to the last photo. It doesn't hold a lot of pots but it holds all anyone needs. I use everyone of them within any three day period so they don't get dusty. It IS so much handier than crawling around on the floor searching for the right pot! The pull-out drawers are GREAT but not all of us have the space or money for them.
2 years ago ·
Karen Jaffe I'm considering an over the sink pot rack. Where might I be able to purchase one? Any recommendations would be appreciated!
2 years ago · ·
Between Naps on the Porch Globi, I found this site online...they have lots of different style.
http://www.hayneedle.com/home/kitchen-&-entertaining/pot-racks.cfm?source=googleawad&kwid=pot%20racks&tid=exact
2 years ago ·
xinex I really like the ones with light fixtures on them. Thanks for the ideas, Susan.
2 years ago ·
Deborah Hall I have had a pot rack for nearly 20 years. It is one of the only things that is staying in the new kitchen remodel we're doing. It is so handy. Although I will have drawers and pullouts for the large pots, I would never give up the pot rack for the smaller pots, plus a couple of metal trivets and small pitchers that I use frequently. Yes, it forces you to dust and keep your pots clean. A good thing!
2 years ago · ·
housepeepers I couldn't live without my pot rack, even though it is not fancy like these. In a smallish kitchen with limited storage I can reach all my pots/pans and some utensils with my eyes closed (if need be...lol)!
2 years ago · ·
Jan J I like all the ones not hung above the islands or as light fixtures. They just look neater out of the way, in my opinion. I, myself could never have one of any kind as I have no designer series pots, or any, for that matter in pristine condition. lol... These kitchens are pretty nice in any case.
2 years ago ·
debicga Thanks for the link. I have found a couple of choices that I am considering. The site has lots of size,style and color options.
2 years ago ·
dancingfish I have a small kitchen (not like the ones pictured here!) and have a great wall/ceiling mounted potrack that hovers over an rolling work cart. LOVE IT!! We have ALOT of pots and pans and with only two undercounter storage cabinets they would never fit. I guess we have never experienced the whole dust issue because we actually use our pots...
TOTALLY love the stenciling in the first photo!!
2 years ago ·
luckykats Just FYI: I just outfitted most of the cupboards in my new kitchen with pull-out racks for pots, pans, lids and bakeware from Lowes. Very nice quality stainless steel pull-out racks and drawers, reasonable price. Everyone who sees them comments on how professional and custom they look.
2 years ago · ·
Between Naps on the Porch Lucky...sounds so nice. I need to do that in my kitchen!
2 years ago ·
klspeer These kitchens are gorgeous (and well organized!), but they are not what I would consider "small" by any means! I would love to see clever ideas for how to organize an apartment kitchen!
2 years ago ·
Karen Jaffe I *love* the idea of making a homemade pot rack; especially out of a ladder.
The rustic look is my favorite and that would fit in well in a kitchen of that type.
2 years ago ·
Beverly Ryals I as well don't get cobwebs on my pots b/c I use the pots on my potrack! I love it, and it really makes a design statement!
2 years ago ·
Between Naps on the Porch Twin...good to know! I think if folks just hang the pots they really use, cobwebs won't be a problem.
2 years ago · ·
danthehandyman Kenroy Home makes some astonishing pot racks that double as kitchen island lights - http://www.novalightingstore.com/Hunter-Kenroy-Kitchen-Island-Lighting.asp?id=41989
2 years ago ·
jstamesngr how do ya keep them from getting dirty/dusty? My house is a dust magnet
10 months ago ·
cjcharger Um you call these small kitchens... that's hilarious! Sure I love all of these gorgeous kitchens and bathrooms the size of my house but I really would like to see someone design for the normal lower income people. We want to make our tiny house look nice but some of these finishes on a low income house would be silly. i think designers just can't do it so they stick with showing off the larger expensive homes.
10 months ago ·
dailyidiot Judy, very good points. Thanks.
So, maybe a rack area with hooks for a few oft used pots
9 months ago ·
aecampati I must have a micro kitchen if these were considered small...
5 months ago ·
gwyneth_perrier These are beautiful, but...small? What would you call a large kitchen? I wish some realistic small kitchens could be featured for some truly creative ideas.
5 months ago ·
lk_designs Very nice kitchens, but small? No, they're not small. I agree with Gwyneth Perrier above, I'd just LOVE to see some small kitchens with great design ideas.
3 months ago ·
jamiezjamjamz I don't know which world you came from but these kitchens aren't 'small' in my world lol. Nice tips though.
8 weeks ago ·
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