I don't have a pegboard, but I think a good way to keep the area organized is to trace the pot/pan outline on the wall so that each one has it's own spot. This way it doesn't look too jumpled and puzzle-like.

My friend just did something like that in his own kitchen. It was less of a peg board and more of a "few nails in the wall" kind of thing. He only put 5 pans on it and it looks good, any more and it would have been messy. I think if you have a whole wall, where no one is going to be bumping into it, and aren't worried about dust getting on your pans (meaning you use all of them a lot), it's a good look. I definitely love the opportunities for color that a peg board gives to a kitchen.

Not in my kitchen, but in my basement we keep all of our sports equipment (and there is LOTS) neatly organized on a peg board. Instead of looking cluttered, it looks very neat and makes packing for a trip so fun, like shopping in a store. If it's done well, I would imagine a peg board in the kitchen could be similar- every time you need to find the right cooking tool, you get to see all your options and it's more fun that way!

I moved into a rental house with pegboards in the kitchen; it works great because we have limited cupboard space. I recommend doing it!

I used pegboard in my first kitchen and added shelves to store all my dishes along with some wire baskets from ikea. As long as you back the board with wood along the edges it should be able to support the weight just fine. it looked super fun in addition to being a handy way to store things.

I installed a pegboard in my narrow apartment kitchen a few months ago and remain quite happy with it. It allows me to keep all of my oft-used implements handy--particularly the measuring spoons and oven mitts. It took a little while to organize, but was well worth it in the end. And most hardware stores carry a wide array of hanging-implements to select from. To illustrate.

I have seen several kitchens on AT House Tours that use pegboards very effectively and attractively. I think the key is to keep it to things that are generally the same size. Julia's works because it is mostly pans - she doesn't have a bunch of little utensils mixed in. In most kitchens, it would probably be better to keep it to mostly utensils (you have more of those and need those at hand more often).

My sister uses pegboard with the shapes of her tools outlined (I think she cut them out of a contrasting contact paper). She seems to like it. I haven't got the wall space to do it myself, though.

I don't see why it wouldn't work for you, and really as long as you like it, who cares what others say? That being said, I'd stick to a similar "theme" for lack of a better word. Maybe only do pots and pans and store everything else in cupboards? Also lay them out on the floor first to find the arrangement that works the best.

I love to cook and love open storage. This works, but it only if you have good looking pots. If you hang a bunch of crappy looking stuff on the wall it will look like crap, if you have a lot of nice looking pots, it will look nice. Go to Willam Sonoma for inspiration, they always have a lot of pots and utensils hanging on the walls.

Work out an attractive arrangement for the pans, utensils, etc. A pretty color of paint would go a long way towards making look more "artistic".

I'm the sister in Tiamat_the_Red's comment. :) I love my pegboard. I would say go for it.
A few things to keep in mind:
Pegboard from the hardware store is cheap, but ugly; buy some good spray on primer and paint in a color you love. This will also make cleaning it easier, as the standard finish on the board is kind of porus.
Lay out your "wall" of pegboard on the floor, and lay all of your pots and pans, etc. on it, then put in your pegs, so you know where everything fits without having to fight with getting pegs in and out (and possibly damaging your paint).
I got sick of having to tell people where dishes went, so I did, indeed, trace and cut out the shape of each of my utensils and pans in black contact paper and stuck them onto the board. I painted the board bright blue, so the black really pops, and I love it.

I am very anti-clutter. I do enjoy a nice utensil holder on the counter with the necessities. However, even in my tiny, poorly thought-out kitchen (the house is 130 years old, even though the cabinets are newish the layout isn't better) I couldn't have this kind of open storage.

My preference is for a kitchen cart with storage underneath. It's hidden and easy to reach.

However, I lived in an apartment that had a little storage nook. It was out of your direct line of sight when you were in most parts of the kitchen but when you went into the little area you were surrounded by huge, solid wood shelves that went up to the ceiling. It was wonderful! I would definitely use a pegboard system in a hidden away area like that, or in a pantry.

I have a pegboard in my basement stairwell for pots and pans. It works great and is not in the way when you walk downstairs.

I was at the Smithsonian when her kitchen was first installed and loved how practical it is. My pegboard is above the counter near the stove. I thrive on clutter and seeing everything. It makes it easy to grab the tool I need.

my last apartment had a pegboard built into the wall, and it was amazing. we painted it orange and scavenged hooks from a local convenience store that was closing.

i recommend putting all your pots & pans & utensils on the wall in the pattern you think is most attractive, then tracing around the items. then take them down, go over your lines with a paint marker, and write the name of the item within the chalk line. it helps prevent clutter from putting things back on the wall in the wrong order.

I had a pegboard in one of my former places, and really liked it, BUT if the bottom of your pans are ugly, it can get really sloppy looking...I think it depends on your tolerance of clutter, and how much time you want to spend on making the bottoms of pans sparkle. I am not one to Martha-Stewart my pan-bottoms with lemon juice and baking soda or whatever, so I eventually used mine for utensils and the like.

We had one in one of our former homes. Our kitchen was so small there were only three cabinets in the whole thing and no drawers at all. The pegboard held all my pots, pans, lids, utensils, silverware, foil etc.etc. If I could find a way to hang something on it, I did! The hardware store provided a wealth of things used on pegboards to hold things. For instance screw driver holders, make wonderful wooden spoon holders!

It wasn't the tidest solution, but everyone always said my kitchen was so homey and they loved that wall.

Jo,

I am thinking the peg board might work if in a pantry with limited shelving. Those not liking to see various sizes and styles of pots and pans displayed in a kitchen can easily shut the pantry door. My house in New Orleans is an old single shotgun home and storage space is very limited. Some kitchens have old fireplaces with mantels. A peg board mounted above a fireplace mantel with copper pots and pans does look nice and well organized. I love the way copper looks in an old kitchen. Years ago I put peg board in an old kitchen cupboard. The cupboard was missing shelves and I needed a place for my copper bowls, measuring bowls, and small sauce pans. When I sold my home the couple would not buy the house unless they could have the peg board cupboard. Funny to think that peg board cupboard made the sale. Cheers, Thomas

I've lived in a 1920's apartment building for over 27 years. The rooms are spacious, but the kitchen is small and has six narrow cupoards. I installed a large pegboard on the wall facing the kitchen entrance; that's where all of my mismatched pots and pans live. Don't know what I would do without it!