Professional tips for storing pots and pans
Jun 2026In this article:
Should you stick with tradition or opt for modern solutions?
How to keep pots, pans and lids within easy reach without having to rummage around for them
How to make heavy cookware easier to retrieve
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The more organized the kitchen, the easier it is to cook. So what's the best way to organize cookware?
Pots and pans are often bulky and heavy, so a wall cabinet is not the best place to store them. And storing them in an open cabinet goes against aesthetic principles: it makes the kitchen look cluttered.
Blum's kitchen observations show that pots and pans are often piled up in base cabinets with shelves. The end result is that the pot you need has made its way into the farthest corner, other pots are stacked on top and you can't reach the lid without bending down and rummaging around.
Planning for pros
Looking at the results of Blum's kitchen research, pots and pans are used more frequently than the oven since they are also used on the cooktop.
Which begs the question: why is the oven traditionally placed under the cooktop? Because it's always been that way? But wouldn't it be better to use this space for pots and pans?
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Thoughtful planning for improved usability
Blum's ergonomics experts recommend creating a better user experience from the outset when planning the kitchen — specifically by opting for a base cabinet with drawers intended solely for storing cookware.
In practice, if the oven is housed in the wall, it is ergonomically easier to use. What's more, valuable storage space is freed up under the cooktop for a dedicated drawer just for pots and pans.
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There's room for everything here: even bulky pots and pans easily fit inside the deep drawers of the base cabinet.
This example of a base cabinet illustrates an ergonomic stack of deep drawers that are ideal for cookware. Pots, pans and lids have plenty of space in drawers with high, closed sides.
You could also add a shallow drawer at the top of the base cabinet to provide storage space for the cooking utensils needed at the same time as the pots, such as wooden spoons and spatulas.
Organization systems keep drawer contents tidy and hold everything securely in place, meaning items won't shift around while opening and closing the drawer.
The advantages are clear:
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Everything the kitchen user needs is easily within reach. This is essential, especially when handling hot things during cooking.
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Searching is a thing of the past. When the drawer is open, all pots, pans and lids can be seen at a glance.
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Even when stacked inside each other, individual pots can be found quickly since the drawer brings the cookware out of the cabinet and into full view.
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Once the cooking is done, everything can be put away quickly and easily without needing to shuffle items around in the cabinet to make room.
Options for a modern cookware cabinet
In many modern kitchens, the oven is no longer located under the cooktop but is conveniently accessible in a tall cabinet. This leaves space under the cooktop for deep drawers to store pots and pans – and even a shallow top drawer to keep all cooking utensils within easy reach.
For those who prefer a traditional layout with the oven under the cooktop, the ergonomic base cabinet drawers can also be installed directly next to the cooktop to bring a modern storage solution to a traditional kitchen.
No matter which option you choose, base cabinets in the kitchen can vary in width to suit the individual space. To optimally store pots and pans, a cabinet width of at least 24" is a good choice, although wider is always an option too if the space allows. And for drawers located under the cooktop, the dimensions will also depend on the cooktop itself.
Heavy pots and pans are no problem at all for our , and box systems. All three systems are true heavy lifters since they can hold between 100 lbs and 170 lbs of stored items while still opening and closing with the same smooth glide.
For an even better opening experience, add an additional mechanical or electrical .
Here is an example of a functional cabinet under the cooktop that can be customized to fit the space available.
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Cooking utensils are easy to reach in the top drawer. From spatulas and whisks to timers, everything has its place in an AMBIA-LINE drawer organizer.
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The middle drawer has high, closed sides, maximizing the available space for frequently used pots and pans. Thanks to the useful AMBIA-LINE frame, lids can be stored upright.
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Specialty cookware items that are only used occasionally – such as roasting pans, casserole dishes and woks – can be stored in the lower drawer.
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How to store pots and pans: at a glance
A base cabinet with drawers for pots, pans and cooking utensils makes items easy to find and ensures efficient workflows in the kitchen.
Ideally, this cabinet should be under the cooktop or right next to it.
Drawers should ideally be at least 24" wide.
Organization systems keep cooking utensils and pot lids exactly where they're supposed to be.
Pots and pans can be safely stacked thanks to the tall back and side panels of the drawers.
For convenient opening and closing, the cabinet can be equipped with an electric or mechanical motion support system.
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