Vintage Pot Racks Are Coming Back – Here's How To Style This Type Of Kitchen Storage

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

You might remember them from your grandmother's kitchen or from cottage-style Pinterest inspiration boards. Hanging pot racks fell out of fashion when we all became obsessed with minimal, sleek, and modern kitchens, where cookware and utensils are meant to be tucked away in drawers and cabinets. Now, exposed pot racks are making a major comeback. These are a great opportunity to showcase your prettiest pots, whether they're family heirlooms or vintage finds. While they have that farmhouse, old-school charm, they do have the ability to make a kitchen look cluttered when not styled and organized properly. The key is to only use them for your prettiest pots, and to keep the layers light and airy, rather than overcrowded and chaotic.

You also need to choose the right model for your space. Exposed pot racks come in several designs, some of which are better fits for different kitchens. Some look like a bar that hangs on a wall, perfect for a smaller kitchen. More daring options hang from the ceiling above a kitchen island or stove, which necessarily require a bit more room and ceiling height. They might be different colors and finishes, like gold, brass, copper, black, or silver. For an even more cottage-kitchen vibe, some have wooden frames.

You can find some stunning vintage models at local thrift shops or on eBay, or you can purchase newer models, like this Rothley stainless steel pot and pan hanger. The best part about these is that, beyond adding style to your home, they're a great way to store and organize unique pots and pans for a clutter-free kitchen. By placing some of your cookware on a pot rack, you can better tame the clutter of pots and pans that's in your cabinets.

The key with pot racks is to use them sparingly. While this is a functional item, think of it as a piece of decor. For this, make sure to choose pots and pans that are pretty and add to the existing decor of your home. You can choose to keep the rack monochrome by only using it with one type of metal, such as copper. A rack filled with mixed metals can also work, and you can even mix modern and vintage pots and pans. Beware of black plastic handles, which are common in modern cookware, but can clash with the vintage aesthetic of the rack.

Overcrowding a rack is the best way to make it look messy and cluttered. The pots on the rack should only barely touch, rather than overlapping and creating visual clutter. If you've got an extensive vintage kitchen cookware collection you've spent money on and want to display, consider installing several pot racks rather than packing every item onto a single one. Instead of installing the bar above the counter, find an empty wall and attach two racks on top of each other, giving you double the space to display your thrifted finds.

And keep in mind, not every hook needs to have a pot on it. You can alternate cookware with some small items, like vintage cooking utensils (some of which come with hooked handles, perfect for hanging). You can also hang some plants and aromatics from the hooks, like a dried bouquet of lavender or sage. Alternating larger and smaller items will help you create visual balance, which reduces the appearance of clutter and helps recreate the charm of an old farmhouse.