Too Many Pots & Pans? Free Up Cabinet Space With One Clever Kitchen Storage Addition

There are several ways to organize your pots and pans with limited cabinet space. One of the most clever ways of doing this is with slat wall panels. Slat wall panels are wall coverings with straight grooves made for the express purpose of hanging or displaying items along a wall. They are typically made of wood materials and sometimes feature aluminum inserts, and are used to display items found at tradeshows, art exhibitions, and retail outlets. In the case of your kitchen, however, strategically placed hooks along the grooves — called slats — can provide an out of the way resting place for your pots and pans when not in use.

It's another DIY way of creating an ultimate solution for organizing pots and pans, and even celebrity chef Michael Symon — who was featured in a 2014 People story about celebrity kitchens — swears by it for the storage of his pots, pans and strainers. Here's how to elevate your kitchen storage game with a slat wall panel. 

Measure the space you want to place your slatted wall against before purchasing it, so you can have an accurate idea of sizing. Make sure you think about both form and function by considering the necessary durability of your slat wall panels, as well as the style of slat wall you think will work best with the look of your kitchen. You can add your own aesthetic touch to the design of your slat wall panels with a choice of color — maybe this rich color trend that's set to dethrone white cabinets in kitchens is attractive? For the purpose of hanging pots and pans on hooks, your focus should obviously be on horizontal slats. Where materials are concerned, wood adds an earth-toned warmth to your kitchen, while an aluminum wall slat is going to be more solid and harder to break.

Before installing your wall slats, clean the surface area of the wall you want to attach it to. Ensure that the studs attaching the slats to your kitchen walls are marked and accurately lined up with your panels. Taking the time to ensure your panels are level and lined up with your marked studs will make it easier when it comes time to secure your panel across your chosen section of wall.

Employ natural cleaning solutions to treat your wood panels to keep them looking and functioning at their best for as long as possible. This will help limit the presence of harmful chemicals in your kitchen environment, while also saving you time and money on unnecessary early repurchases. Mix an equal part of water and white vinegar in an empty, clean spray bottle, which is an anti-corrosive, effective way of removing dirt and grime. If you find the scent of vinegar overpowering, lean into the fragrant smell of lemon juice combined with olive oil. The acidic nature of the lemon breaks down dirt and grime, and the olive oil imparts a glistening sheen that also helps to condition and preserve the wood. These are just a few natural cleaning ingredients you'll want a healthy stock of in your home. However, chemical-free, biodegradable soaps and cleansers are a good, eco-friendly third option.

If your panels are metal, mix a cleaning solution of ¼ cup of detergent for every gallon of water. Whether your slat wall is wood or metal, wipe down your surfaces with a soft-bristle brush or a soft cloth — an old t-shirt is a good, upcycled substitute — as this is reusable and gentler on wood and metal surfaces. Aside from slat wall panels, check out this simple pots and pans storage solution, as well as this sliding wood hangar storage solution for pots and pans for more great kitchen storage ideas.