Pot racks are the perfect space saver for a small kitchen. Plus we love they way they look! If you can't find one you like that fits your kitchen at the right price, why not consider making your own? Even if you're not a DIY'er, these take no more than the skills you'd need to install a purchased pot rack. Whatever your kitchen situation, we've found a solution for you!
- A long narrow galley kitchen needs a long narrow rack. This pot rack is basically a length of copper pipe with t fittings. We'd use a slender chain rather than wire rope for a cleaner look.
- Another idea for a galley kitchen, this pot rack made from a ladder, fits the bill perfectly. With its wide slats it won't interfere with overhead lighting. And don't be limited to a wooden ladder. Any kind will do. Just modify the design by using a pair of S-Hooks and chains on the each of the end rungs of your ladder to hang it from the ceiling.
- Have a lot of stuff to hang in a small square space? Try this pot holder made from a bicycle wheel. And don't just limit yourself to pots. Colanders, serving pans, ladles and strainers are also naturals at the hanging game.
- If your hanging space is limited to the wall, consider using a towel rack. Because pots are heavier than towels, make sure you get one made out of metal or porcelain. You could also hit up your local hardware store for some 3/4" galvanized pipe and fittings like this one from Blight Design. Leave "as is" or paint it to go with your kitchen's decor.
- A door's another place a pot rack can fit. Try this one using replacement grates for an outdoor grill.
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It would be awesome to clear up a whole cabinet space of pots by hanging them. Unfortunately, I think all of these would end up hanging too low for our average-height ceilings.
The wall one would work best for me, except I don't have much of that kind of space, either!
But thanks for the inspiration, now that I know what won't work, maybe the wheels will be turning on what will...
any suggestions for one over a sink (that's centered on a window)?
@DahliaCactus - if your sink is flanked on either side by cabinets, the ladder idea would be perfect for you. Just get a ladder that's a little bit wider than the space, anchor it to the wall and the cabinets, and there you go!
I just made a hanging dish rack for the space above my sink (it is centered on a window, too). I used a tubular metal rack, suspended from ceiling joists with heavy-duty hooks, metal cable, and climbing hooks. It works great, frees up counter space, and I bet you could do something similar with a pot rack.
Here's one I've made myself for hanging over a window.
http://sparky-youngbloodstudios.blogspot.com/2010/03/thursday-sight-hound.html
I don't like the way hanging pots look, all messy, jumbled up and clangy looking. I'm not sure hanging the pots really "saves room" because they take up so much visual room, hovering in huge masses like an amateur Gehry kitchen installation. Admittedly, hanging pot racks are popular and considering them an eyesore and a sensory nightmare puts me in the minority. I always wonder whether people ever drop pots while getting them off the hanger?
We hung this shelf/potrack vertically from the ceiling, above the half wall/sink in our kitchen. It works great and looks really nice! http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00011428
I am with you MasardRoof. I like the idea of it especially seeing how precious space is in my tiny galley kitchen, but it's visually too complicated. Besides I would have to polish my pots in order to feel OK about having them on display and that is never going to happen!
marid22,
no polishing! well loved pots are the sign of a kitchen where actual cooking goes on, not one that's been set up for a photo shoot.
dahliacactus,
a half round rack would work (and would block the light less than one hung directly over the window). or try a shelf that justs out over the window and hang the pots from the edge (a friend of mine did this in their first apartment. it sounds claustrophobic but it looked great!).
cheers,
abby
Love the bicycle wheel! What a great idea!
We have a small kitchen although not an apartment, I think this diy instruction is fitting here http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-pot-rack-and-update-your-kitchen-for-under/