Stack groups by size, starting with the largest on the bottom. If you've got the height space, flip the lids upside down to create a smooth surface for stacking the next pot. In cabinets, use internal pan racks and risers, and line drawers with a pegboard to keep items neatly organized. Store lids separately.
Put in a Tiered Lazy Susan
When used properly, these organizers serve as excellent tools for bulky items. Because they are round, placing as many round items on them as possible optimizes the space. Mixing bowls, colanders, salad spinners, blenders, and even pots and pans are items to store in this spot.
Use Tension Rods
This idea from Better Homes and Gardens is a cheap and brilliant hack. Stand up your pots, pans, or cookie sheets and separate them with small tension rods. This will keep your pans from toppling over and keep you organized! Plus its a super cheap way to stay organized!
Stacking pots in the kitchen is a great way to save space. However, nesting them inside each other can often lead to scratches and dents, especially if your kids are the ones putting the pots and pans away!
Put things where they'll be in easy reach when you need them. Cooking supplies should be near the stove, mugs go above your coffee machine, and food prep items should be stored near a clear stretch of counter space.
But according to CNET, this is not a good idea: Even when they're carefully nested, pots and pans are subject to damage when, inevitably, the stack gets moved around or bumped. The cookware can get scuffed or scratched, which means it will lose its functionality and have to be replaced more quickly.
A space-saving solution
For those with limited kitchen storage space, utilizing the oven as a storage area for pots and pans can be a practical solution. Cabinets and drawers can often become overcrowded, making it challenging to find sufficient space for your cookware collection.
The three basic pots you need to start your collection: a two-quart saucepan, a 10-inch saute pan, and an eight-quart stockpot. They'll cover just about any cooking task, and if you buy high-quality pieces, you'll have them for a long, long time. And if you're buying only three, you can get the best.
If you store pots and lids in a drawer, install a hardware store tension rod at the front or down one side of the drawer to keeps pot lids neatly in place. After you mount the rod, place lids on their sides along it; their nobs will prop them up and limit movement as the drawer slides in and out.
Set the bottom of the plates behind the rail, then rest the backsides of the plates against the back of the cabinet. Arrange the rest of your china collection in front of the plates. Once your largest plates are set up in the back of the cabinet, place the smaller pieces towards the front of the shelf.
When you have L-shaped shelves in a corner of a kitchen (or anywhere else, actually!), the best way to maximize the available space is with round items: bowls, cake plates, small appliances, turntables, lazy susans, round baskets, etc.
Upper kitchen cabinets are most often used for storing dishes, glasses and dinnerware, but they can also be used to store spices, mixing bowls and small appliances, or even as a small pantry.
Organizing open space above the sink
Ford, Smith and Duckworth all mentioned using this area to store things like a dish drying rack, mugs, drinking glass sets or other essential dinnerware.
Decorating above kitchen cabinets is in style all the way! Just keep in mind that secret stashes should be as visible as their name implies… hidden and not seen. This is more achievable for those with higher ceilings and kitchen cabinets that match that height.
Use a Deep Cabinet Drawer
If you're lucky enough to have deep drawers as part of your kitchen design, they are the perfect spot for storing pots and pans. You can even stack 'em. If you don't have a cabinet drawer in the right size, don't forget the under-the-oven storage drawer!
Store Them In the Pantry
Store larger, heavier or less frequently used pots and pans in a pantry if you have one. This way they don't take up valuable space in your cabinets and make room for more regularly used cookware.