Pot Racks: Great Storage Solution for Small Kitchens
During the holidays, I realized one of the reasons I don't cook as much as I'd like is because it's always such a battle to find the right pot or pan. It usually involves a flashlight and a lots of clanging and banging, which usually elicits the question, "Are you all right in there?" from whoever happens to be within earshot. I think I see a pot rack in my future, and there are some fabulous styles and choices available from which to choose.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Q