A Pot Rack in Its Proper Place

Although pot racks provide a ready solution to storage woes, they may not work for every kitchen. Here are some pot-rack pitfalls to avoid.
By: Rose Kennedy

5932919-1064

It's the seeming salvation of every cabinet-space-challenged homeowner: A restaurant-style pot rack to reduce clutter in the kitchen. People are drawn in by a vision of gleaming pans within easy reach, hung from the ceiling by a pot rack in almost any style you can imagine: contemporary stainless steel, colonial-inspired wrought iron, even natural woods and custom-designed combinations of materials. But will it work for you?

"The concept definitely looks good on paper," says Monica Ricci, an organizing expert and owner of Catalyst Solutions in Atlanta. "Pot racks free up space in the cabinets for other items, too — specialty appliances, big pieces you only use for entertaining..."

But not everyone is comfortable with the "visual stress" of having all the cookware in plain view. A pot rack is not a good idea "if you have pots and pans that are... how can we put it...not visually appealing?" says Ricci.

5932919-1065

And there are other factors to keep in mind beyond publicly exposing your dingy cookware. Dalia Tamari, owner of Dalia Kitchen Design in Boston, advises anyone going into a pot rack purchase to avoid these pitfalls:

Blocking light. "A pot rack's a minus if you hang pots and pans where they block the light source from above or a window," says Tamari. "Of course, if you incorporate lighting into the pot rack, you get back what you lost."

Obscuring a more beautiful focal point. "So many [people] are opening up their kitchen designs to the dining room or family room, and making something like a copper range hood the focal point of the open arrangement," says Tamari. "A pot rack doesn't look like much in your hand, but loaded it's a big element, and you don't want it to block a focal point or artwork."

Hanging cookware you don't use often. It will start out looking great, but after a while it accumulates dust, which is not a display you want at the center of your kitchen design." At the same time, says Tamari, "To get the effect you see in a chef's kitchen with the copper racks, your cookware on display should be clean and sparkling, not burned on the bottom or stained and crackeds."

Dangling pots and pans over a cooking area. "The only thing above a cooking space should be a vent," she says. "You see those glorious pictures of copper pots hanging above the stove, but that's where it would get all the grease from the cooking. The best place for a pot rack is above an island you use for prep work."

Hangin' too high. "You don't want to get out the stepladder to reach your pots and pans!" says Tamari, a frequent guest on HGTV's Kitchen Designs. "Instead, you should be able to reach the pans without stretching too much, without running any risk of getting hit in the head with a pot."

5932919-1066

If you can find a proper spot for a pot rack, there are thousands of styles suitable for any decor. Here are three, just for starters:

Steel Worx contemporary pot rack with downlights: Shiny and new with a satin nickel finish, it features 10 pot hooks, a four-foot chain, eight-foot wire and a spot for two 50-watt downlights.

Kathy Ireland-A Cafe Tuscany Village Pot Rack Chandelier: Quite a bit fussier, it employs a European country style with two down lights and six chandelier-style lights with matching shades and a dark bronze finish.

Buffalo Creek Design sled pot rack: Simple and clean, this pot rack is designed along the lines of an old-timey Flexible Flyer, appropriate for country-style, eclectic or modern kitchen designs. It has eight pot hooks, and these folks hand-craft all their pot racks from oak, cherry or reclaimed barn wood.

Resources
Dalia Tamari
Kitchen Designer, Dalia Kitchen Design
www.daliakitchendesign.com

Monica Ricci
Professional Organizer, Catalyst Organizing Solutions
www.catalystorganizing.com

Next Up

Help for the Kitchen Organizer

Make your kitchen more efficient with these clever storage products.

10 Steps to an Orderly Kitchen

An organizing expert offers expertise for kitchen organization and storage solutions.

Paint Colors for Small Kitchens

Energize your small kitchen with a coat of fresh paint to the walls and cabinets, and consider soft neutrals or bold color combinations that will make your space seem larger and reflect your design style.

These Clever Organizers Will Completely Change the Way You Use Your Freezer

Prepare to save space and prevent food waste with these clear bins, reusable bags, stackable ice trays and other clever freezer organizers.

17 Smart Kitchen Storage Ideas You'll Want to Try ASAP

Stop (unknowingly!) wasting space and create a storage-packed kitchen with our clever solutions for your cabinets, drawers, island and pantry.

26 Quick and Easy Tips for Organizing Your Entire Kitchen

Straightening up has never been so satisfying. See our best kitchen organization ideas, plus our favorite products for tidying the fridge, island and pantry.

Small Kitchen Design

Welcome big style into your small kitchen with design ideas, from color and countertops to seating and storage.

10 Reasons You Should Try Open Shelving in Your Kitchen

It may not be a new trend, but we still love open shelving. And we're here to tell you why you should, too.

Quick Tips for Home Organization

Try these quick home organization tips for maintaining a clutter-free home from basement to attic.

Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Enhance your small kitchen with great decorating ideas. A little goes a long way in a small kitchen, so get inspired by pictures of inspirational rooms that deliver a balance of form and function.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.