The Game-Changing $12 Find That Will Instantly Get Your Pots and Pans in Order (Plus 10 More Favorites!)

updated Feb 20, 2024
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(Image credit: Esteban Cortez)

There are two things we always want to see in our friends’ kitchens: their pantries and how they organize all their cookware. Pantries are just fun to look at (all the snack inspiration!) and we’re always so curious to see how people make sense of all those awkwardly shaped pots, pans, and lids.

Stacking everything on a shelf (or jumbling them into a cabinet) isn’t always the best answer — Where do the lids go? How do you get the bottom one out in less than five minutes? — and we’ve learned from lots and lots of snooping that you basically have to buy some sort of organizer. But which one is best? Below are some of the smartest, most useful that Kitchn editors love.

Do you have a cookware organizer you swear by that we missed? We want to hear all about it! Tell us about your favorite finds in the comments below.

1 / 11
Macy's
$11.99

Not only are these lid holders genius in their simplicity, but they also make use of one of the most underutilized “storage” spaces in your cabinets: the doors. Simply peel off the strong 3M adhesive backing and adhere them to the inside of your cabinet doors, then nestle your pan lid within the holder — it’s as easy as that! Pro tip: Make sure to leave enough room between each holder so the lids don't overlap and make it hard to close the cabinet.

2 / 11
Amazon
$18.87
was $24.99

Tired of having to pull out every single skillet you own just to get your largest one? This rack can go in a cabinet vertically or horizontally (it holds five or four pans, depending on how you set it up) and works just like that file holder you have on your desk at work. And we're not the only ones who love it: It's the bestselling pot rack on Amazon, boasting over 11,000 five-star reviews.

3 / 11
Amazon
$28.99
was $32.99

A more customizable version of the first option, the shelves on this rack are repositionable and can be hung off one side or both. It'll make it easier to store cookware of all types, from big stock pots to slip frying pans. You can even lay it down if you'd rather store things horizontally — genius!

4 / 11
Amazon
$90.89
was $130.99

Score all the benefits of a custom drawer interior without having to upgrade your cabinets. This two-tier adjustable wire organizer is easy to install and makes it so that you can pull out your cookware to see everything in one glance. Bonus: The top rack is dedicated to holding all of your lids!

5 / 11
Amazon
$59.99
was $99.99

Sure, you could spend hundreds on a name-brand hanging pot rack, but why would you when this one is just as stylish and sturdy? It comes with a removable center grid, which adds even more storage so that you can load the whole thing up with pots, pans, and your most-used utensils.

6 / 11
Amazon
$38.04
was $49.99

If you love the idea of a hanging pot rack but don't have a giant island to anchor it over, this smaller single-bar option may be the perfect compromise. The bar features six swivel hooks, which can be turned 360-degrees so you can grab (and put away) whatever you need from any angle.

7 / 11
Amazon
$24.99

The ultimate solution for apartment dwellers or renters, this humble pot rail looks so simple yet makes such a difference. You just need a few feet of empty wall space and a single rail can hold a bunch of pots, pans, and utensils. You can even rest some lids on top for extra storage. This one comes with 10 hooks, sturdy mounting hardware, and Amazon's glowing recommendation.

8 / 11
Wayfair
$440.00
was $594.99

A fun hybrid of a hanging and a wall-mounted pot rack, this copper stunner is easy to install and versatile, with the ability to hang and stack things on top. While the finish does up the price, we're partial to the stunning look of copper and think this makes a great kitchen accent.

9 / 11
Amazon
$19.99

With over 13,000 five-star reviews, the Bakeware Storemore clearly has wide appeal. As the name suggests, the seven adjustable dividers on the Storemore can hold baking supplies like cake pans, sheet trays, tart pans, or baking dishes. But it can also tidy up your collection of cutting boards, cookware lids, pizza stones, large platters, and practically anything else that is cluttering up your cabinets and drawers.

10 / 11
Amazon
$54.97
was $59.99

Did you know that you can buy ready-made pegboards? This one is metal, which means it'll stand up to lots of wear and tear. It comes in 10 different colors and is also magnetic, meaning you can hang utensils and lighter cookware via hooks or magnets.

11 / 11
IKEA
$7.99

These unique accordion-style lid organizers can expand or contract to fit your space, and they hold pot lids in place as you open and close the drawer. They can work for many different cabinet depths and widths, making them the ideal (and inexpensive!) choice for renters.