Whether you’re short on cabinet space, or you like the look of a professional chef’s kitchen or you just want to show off your cookware collection, pot racks and rails are the answer: They not only keep your skillets and saucepans handy, but they also double as decoration for the kitchen.
“They’re really practical, because a lot of serious cooks enjoy the convenience of reaching up and grabbing the pot they need instead of bending down and digging through a cabinet,” said Suzanne McGrath, who runs McGrath II, an interior design firm based in Greenwich, Conn., with her daughter, Lauren McGrath.
They also make for “a pretty impactful statement,” she added, “especially if you have a great collection.”
The elder Ms. McGrath grew to love the look of hanging pots when she was working as a television producer for Martha Stewart Living. After a while, she began noticing appealing examples nearly everywhere, from Julia Child’s home kitchen to the impressive Victorian-era food-preparation space at the Breakers mansion in Newport, R.I.
The younger Ms. McGrath, who has recently helped customize eye-catching pot racks for the firm’s clients, is equally in thrall.
“It definitely sends a message: ‘This person knows how to cook,’” she said. “Whether that’s the case or not.”
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How large should the rack be? “You need to purchase a pot rack that’s in proportion to your island or table,” the elder Ms. McGrath said, so it doesn’t end up looking oddly tiny or overwhelming.
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What materials are best? “Choose a finish that relates to some of the appliances” or other elements in the kitchen, she said, for visual continuity.
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How should you install a ceiling rack? Because it will be heavy with pots and pans, make sure you use screws to mount it to joists or beams, rather than suspending it from drywall anchors.
Oval Ceiling Pot Rack
Handmade ceiling pot rack with grid, available in a range of steel and copper finishes
From about $540 at Enclume: 877-362-5863 or enclume.com
Proper Copper Ceiling Pot and Pan Rack
Handmade copper ceiling rack available in various sizes
From about $192 at Etsy: etsy.com
Emery Pot Rack Bar
Wall-mounted rack with swiveling hooks
From about $101 for the rack and $10 a hook at Rejuvenation: 888-401-1900 or rejuvenation.com
Dotted Line Wall Mounted Pot Rack
Pegboard-style steel pot rack available in various colors
About $80 at Wayfair: 844-647-3765 or wayfair.com
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