Simple & Functional Ways to Decorate a Hanging Pot Rack

Today I want to share 10 easy ways to decorate a hanging pot rack that will add modern cottage style to your kitchen.

If you’ve been following me for a little while it’s no surprise that when we moved to our new house I insisted on having a hanging pot rack.

When we made the DIY pot rack at the old house it had to stay because we had it screwed to the wall.

I’m not sure how other states work, but in Ohio if it’s attached to the wall during the showing then it stays.

Now could I have made a stink about it and tried to bring it with me?

Sure.

But when my friend (who bought our old house) said she was excited to use it for her pots and pans I was more than happy to leave it behind.

Watch the YouTube Video

For me a wall mounted pot rack is like chickens.

I think everyone should have them haha!

Now that being said you have probably noticed that this pot rack looks very different from my old pot rack.

Not for any significant reason; just to change it up I guess.

I originally wanted these brass pot racks, but back in December when I purchased them the black ones were $35.

So to save some money we went with black instead of brass.

Although today you can get any of the color variations for $35.

Go figure haha!

I will say my husband used the saw he got for Christmas that cut metal to change the length of these racks.

I love cooking with cast iron so we needed to ensure they hit studs.

Now they are 32″ long instead of 39”.

Can someone explain to me why they wouldn’t design them this way to begin with?

Where is the best place to hang a pot rack?

Behind the oven: hanging pot rack

I’ve seen a few different methods for displaying pots and pans on hanging racks.

One is a single rod above the counter, often behind the oven.

This makes a lot of practical sense because you’ll be using the pots and pans at the oven.

I thought about doing this at the new house, but our kitchen is significantly smaller and I’m still undecided about the need for 2 shelves in the kitchen.

If I had enough storage I would have 100% done it this way.

As far as aesthetics goes this is my favorite.

But functionality will ALWAYS win in my house.

Above an island: hanging pot rack

This is probably my least favorite place for a hanging pot rack.

The biggest reason being that you have to be decently tall for this to be an easy way to constantly be reaching for your everyday kitchen items.

I’m not a short person, but I’ve also never been tall.

So while it’s a great way to increase the storage space in an area that would otherwise be empty; for me this is not the best method.

On an empty wall: hanging pot rack

This is how I did it at the old house and it’s what I ended up doing in our new house.

Right off the kitchen is a long hallway that leads to the garage.

It is filled with cabinets on one side and an empty wall on the other.

I have visions of changing this space up just a little and turning it into a butler’s pantry.

So with that end goal in mind, it made sense to hang the pots and pans on this wall.

Not to mention that my new kitchen is so small that the oven is only 5 steps away.

As far as I’m concerned this wall is part of the kitchen haha!

How to arrange a pot rack?

The same way that I arranged the open shelves in the old kitchen is how I decorated the hanging pot rack.

I stick with a neutral and organic color pallet: neutral linens, metals, wood tons, and greenery.

After I know what items I’ll be displaying I start hanging everything up on the racks in a way that feels balanced.

A lot of stepping backward and forward.

**Helpful Tip**

Make sure you hang the hanging pot rack at a height that is easy for you to grab and go.

The new pot racks are slightly lower than they were at the old house.

Not by much, but enough to make grabbing from the top rack easier.

What else can you use pot racks for?

To enhance the look of my pot rack I like to use it for more than just pots and pans.

Not that it’s “wrong” to do that, I just like my hanging pot rack to look a bit more full of variation.

Baskets (for produce or flowers)

A small wicker basket adds warmth with the wood tones and it also adds an element of interest since it sits differently that the pots and pans.

To make it functional I store my garlic in the basket.

I grab a few heads of garlic and throw them in this basket to make it easy for me to use.

This may gross some of you out, but I strongly believe that you can never have too much onion or garlic in a dish haha!

Okay, I’m exaggerating, but I do LOVE the flavor garlic adds along with the health benefits.

So just about every time I make something I grab a few cloves to mince.

A pretty way to store my garlic.

Drying herbs/leaves on hanging pot rack

I love drying herbs and leaves to store for loose-leaf tea and cooking.

It’s functional and so pretty!

If you don’t want to dry real herbs then grab some faux rosemary and hang it upside down like you would the real thing.

My goal this year is to save a gallon loose leaves from our mint patch.

I’ve done one round of harvesting and gathered a quart.

But I’m also going to be drying our rosemary, basil, raspberry leaves, and hopefully nettles!

Did you know that nettles is a great tea to drink when you’re ill?

I had no idea!

Our Amish neighbors told us about it so I checked on the internet and sure enough!

Breadboards

Using breadboards on the pot rack is another great way to incorporate warmth and visual interest.

They typically have squared corners which contrast nicely against the round pots and pans.

I also like to use a breadboard as a way to create layers on a flat surface.

Layering adds more depth and dimension which will enhance the look of a simple pot rack.

Tea Towels & Aprons

Adding linens to any space softens the look and feel.

Especially in a metal heavy location, a tea towel or apron is a nice way to make it feel lighter.

I also like to use a tea towel or apron to add a pop of color that is easy to change depending on the season.

Pitchers

I like to hang things that are uniquely shaped on our pot rack.

Doing this helps cut back on the uniformity that would be going on if all I did was pots and pans.

Now, I have to confess, I’ve been using this cute pitcher to decorate the hanging pot rack for a while.

I did it at the old house and again at this house.

A sweet friend found it for me and brought it to me because she knew I would love it.

So I like to have it out because of her, but I also like it because it is just so pretty to me.

I’m not a huge fan of filling my house with things just because they are pretty.

But I do make exceptions every once in a while and this iron stone pitcher is one of those exceptions.

(Thanks so much, Svet!)

Candles

This is something that I used to say is seasonal.

But now think, “Absolutely not!”

Candles are not a seasonal accessory.

They are great for whenever and honestly wherever haha!

Hanging on a peg rack or a pot rack adds a bit of old-world charm.

And you all know I’m a sucker for old world charm.

Utensils

I like to hang out bread knife on the pot rack.

I’ve also put one of my ladles on the peg rack that I had at the old house.

It’s functional and beautiful.

Also, it gives the pot rack more visual interest because kitchen utensils are long and skinny, instead of wide and round.

Produce bags

This is a new thing for me, but I love it.

My husband recently ordered these produce bags for us to store produce in.

When the thought hit me to store the onions on the hanging pot rack I was so excited.

They are easy to access and look amazing!

Pots and Pans

Last but not least, pots and pans definitely belong on a wall-mounted pot rack.

I hope you enjoy this post and the sneak peak at our very unfinished kitchen.

Some of you have asked and made comments hoping that we hadn’t started updating the house without taking you along.

Rest assured, we have been living in this house in a very “un-updated” state for the past 6 months haha!

I plan to share a full tour of our unfinished kitchen next week along with some of the plans that we have for this space.

Until then you can check out some of our past DIY kitchen projects to guess what things we will bring with us and what we will leave behind.

Cottage Kitchen Inspiration

This is a beautiful post I forgot that I shared about our pot rack years ago.

DIY Peg Rail

Our First Hanging Pot Rack

DIY Open Shelf Brackets

DIY Cafe Curtains

Hanging Pot Rack Inspiration to Pin for Later!

Don’t forget to head over to Facebook or Instagram to see our day-to-day fun!

Also, make sure you follow along on YouTube & Pinterest to check out all the other inspirations I’ve been pinning!

Have a great week! XoXo

Open Your Doors,
Aliya

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