If there’s one part of my kitchen that used to drive me crazy, it was my pots and pans cabinet. Every time I tried to grab a pan, I’d end up pulling out a stack of mismatched lids, or I’d have to dig to the back just to find the one pot I needed. Sound familiar?
Pots and pans are some of the bulkiest kitchen items, and without a system, they quickly turn into a jumbled mess. But the good news is, with some creativity and a few clever tricks, you can make your cabinets work harder and keep everything accessible.
In this article, I’ll share the creative ways I’ve learned to store pots and pans in cabinets—ideas that save space, reduce frustration, and keep your cookware organized and ready to use.
Step 1: Declutter Before You Organize
Before you even think about storage solutions, it’s important to declutter. I used to keep every single pan I owned “just in case,” but realistically, I was only using the same three or four regularly.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Pull everything out of your cabinets.
- Check for duplicates—do you really need three frying pans of the same size?
- Let go of damaged items—scratched non-stick pans, warped lids, or rusty pots should be tossed or recycled.
- Keep your go-to cookware—the ones you reach for week after week.
This first step instantly frees up space and makes the next steps much easier.
Step 2: Use Adjustable Cabinet Racks
One of the smartest investments I made was an adjustable rack for my pots and lids. These racks sit inside your cabinet and create vertical slots where you can slide pans upright instead of stacking them.
Benefits of using racks:
- No more clanging and unstacking.
- Easy to grab the exact pan you need.
- Works with both pots and lids.
I love that these racks are expandable, so you can customize them to fit your cabinet space.
Step 3: Store Lids Separately
For the longest time, my lids were the biggest culprit in my messy cabinets. They never stacked nicely and always fell over. The solution? Storing them separately.
Some lid storage ideas I’ve used:
- Lid racks attached to the inside of cabinet doors.
- Tension rods inside the cabinet to create a vertical lid slot.
- Magazine holders repurposed as lid organizers.
By separating lids from pots, you create a cleaner system and prevent that constant domino effect when pulling cookware out.
Step 4: Go Vertical with Pan Storage
Instead of stacking pans flat, try storing them upright. It’s one of the easiest ways to save space and keep things accessible.
How to do it:
- Place a wire rack or file organizer inside your cabinet.
- Slide pans upright, with handles facing out.
- Keep the most-used pans in the front for quick access.
This method works especially well for frying pans, baking sheets, and cutting boards.
Step 5: Install Pull-Out Shelves
If you’re willing to make a small upgrade, pull-out shelves are a game-changer. Instead of crouching down and digging through the back of your cabinet, you can pull the entire shelf forward to see everything at once.
Pull-out shelves work well for:
- Storing large pots and Dutch ovens.
- Keeping stacked pans accessible.
- Organizing cookware by type.
I had a set installed in one lower cabinet, and it completely changed how I use that space.
Step 6: Nest Pots and Pans (the Smart Way)
Stacking or nesting pots isn’t always a bad idea—it just needs to be done with intention. Instead of piling them all together, I group by size and type.
Here’s how I do it:
- Small pans together (8-inch, 10-inch frying pans).
- Sauce pots together (nest with handles all facing the same way).
- Large pots and Dutch ovens at the bottom with lighter pans on top.
If scratching is a concern, I place a paper towel or felt pan protector between each pan. This keeps them stacked neatly without damage.
Step 7: Use Cabinet Door Space
The inside of cabinet doors is often wasted space, but it’s perfect for pot and pan storage. Some ideas I’ve tried:
- Hanging small hooks for pot lids.
- Mounting a shallow rack to hold lids or flat pans.
- Attaching a tension rod or bar for lightweight items.
This trick frees up interior cabinet space for bulkier cookware.
Step 8: Divide Cabinets into Zones
One of the most helpful things I did was to give each type of cookware its own “zone” in the cabinet. This avoids the random stacking problem.
For example:
- Left side = frying pans.
- Right side = sauce pots.
- Back = large stockpot and Dutch oven.
- Door = lids.
By creating mini-zones, you make it easier to find what you need without reorganizing every time you cook.
Step 9: Use Baskets or Bins
I’m a huge fan of baskets in my pantry, and I’ve realized they work just as well in kitchen cabinets. For pots and pans, a sturdy bin or basket can hold lids, baking sheets, or even lightweight frying pans.
Why this works:
- Keeps small items contained.
- Makes it easy to pull out the entire bin instead of digging.
- Creates a more uniform look inside the cabinet.
Wire baskets are especially great since you can see everything at a glance.
Step 10: Store Rarely Used Cookware Elsewhere
Not every pot and pan needs to live in your main cabinets. If you have seasonal or rarely used cookware (like a giant turkey roaster or specialty pan), consider storing it in a different spot:
- High kitchen cabinets.
- Pantry shelves.
- Garage or basement storage bins.
This frees up valuable cabinet space for the cookware you use daily.
Step 11: DIY Solutions with Everyday Items
If you don’t want to buy special organizers, you can repurpose items you already own. Some creative DIY storage hacks include:
- File organizers for baking sheets and frying pans.
- Tension rods for creating vertical storage sections.
- Dish drying racks as makeshift pan holders.
- Plastic bins for grouping lids or small pots.
These are budget-friendly, customizable, and surprisingly effective.
Step 12: Hang Handles for Easy Access
One frustration with storing pots in cabinets is that handles stick out and get tangled. To fix this, I installed adhesive hooks on the inside wall of one cabinet. Now, I can hang small pots by their handles, freeing up shelf space for larger items.
This is a great option if your cabinets are tall and have unused vertical space.
Step 13: Use Lazy Susans for Small Pans
For smaller frying pans or sauce pots, a Lazy Susan can be surprisingly effective. Just place one in the cabinet, and spin to grab what you need. It’s especially helpful if you have deep cabinets where items get lost in the back.
Step 14: Keep Everyday Pans Front and Center
Not all pots and pans need equal accessibility. I store my everyday frying pan, medium pot, and Dutch oven in the most convenient spot—right at the front of the cabinet. Less-used cookware goes toward the back.
This simple change makes cooking faster because I’m not digging around for the items I use most often.
Step 15: Maintain with a Monthly Reset
Even the best system needs upkeep. Once a month, I do a quick check:
- Are all pans still in their zones?
- Do I need to wipe down shelves?
- Are there any items I no longer use?
This reset takes less than 10 minutes but keeps my cabinet organized long-term.
Bottom Line
Storing pots and pans in cabinets doesn’t have to be a constant headache. With the right mix of decluttering, vertical storage, separate lid organization, and smart use of space, you can turn even the messiest cabinet into a functional, frustration-free zone.
For me, the biggest game-changers were separating lids and using vertical racks. Those two tricks alone made my cabinets feel twice as big.
So, whether you have a small kitchen or plenty of cabinets, these creative ideas will help you maximize space, protect your cookware, and make cooking a whole lot easier.
