DIYer Uses A Thrifted Find To Store Bulky Pots And Pans In Style
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Even if you know how to organize your pantry just like celeb chef Bobby Flay, many home cooks find themselves coming up short when it comes to storage for pots and pans, which are almost always space hogs. An answer that's both useful and stylish might be hiding at your local secondhand shop: a vintage ladder mounted to the wall and used with S-hooks (like this inexpensive ESFUN set on Amazon with thousands of positive ratings). The vibe is rustic and a little cottagecore, not unlike interior barn doors or exposed beams. Best of all, this is a DIY project that almost anyone with a little ingenuity can muster.
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Choosing the right ladder is of the utmost importance. Not only is this a matter of safety — we'll be talking much more about that in a moment — but it's one of practicality as well. Good cooking implements are pricey, like those eco-friendly Caraway pans, and you don't want to dent or otherwise destroy your cookware. The right ladder will also greatly elevate the look of your kitchen or pantry.
In the TikTok reel we watched, part of a vintage ladder was suspended from the wall vertically. We've also seen whole or partial ladders hung horizontally from the ceiling to make a pretty pot rack, as social media is full of inspo on this front. Assuming you source a wooden ladder, you can paint or stain the finish to match your kitchen décor, and you'll likely have some control over how high the rack is.
Know some safety basics before hanging pots and pans on your ladder rack
When using reclaimed or otherwise aged wood, you always need to be aware of its condition and where it was stored in its previous life. Ladders that have been exposed to the elements outdoors may hide mold spores that you can't necessarily see, along with termite damage (or even an active infestation!), or contamination from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). An old ladder you find at a thrift store likely won't carry any indications as to its provenance, so you'll have to inspect it carefully. Make sure the ladder is sturdy and can hold a good deal of weight! The last thing you want is your rack breaking and doing real damage to the kitchen or yourself.
On that same note, make sure that, whether it's hung overhead or from the wall, you anchor your ladder appropriately and safely to prevent accidents. This is especially true in households with pets or small children who might attempt to hang their weight off the rack. We covered several mounting issues you might face when using a wall rack to hang pots and pans and save kitchen space, and there is significant overlap here. When in doubt, consult a licensed professional to securely fasten your ladder to the wall. Home DIYers should utilize proper equipment, which might include a stud finder, to identify the safest and most sturdy place on the wall or ceiling to hang your ladder.