If You Dig Pegboards and Pot Racks, Then You’re Probably a Utility Kitchen Person

Thirty-six ideas for uncomplicating your cooking space.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BELLE MORIZIO STYLING BY JULIA STEVENS

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We appreciate a luxurious renovated kitchen as much as anyone. It’s hard to deny the calming effect of a sprawling Carrara marble island, integrated appliances, and jewelry-like hardware. But an unfussy, hardworking kitchen is much easier to achieve. And conveniently, the humble, utilitarian style—one where things charmingly don’t quite match—is as in as ever, according to a substantial (for me!) amount of likes on my Instagram of designer Nick Poe’s recent home tour

The best part is that you might not even need a handyman to install straightforward fixtures like pegboards, pot racks, and magnetic knife bars. Renters will especially be into the look, as these buys can travel from apartment to apartment; nothing is fixed. The only kicker: Open storage means very little hiding space, so you’re going to want to declutter your plastic colanders and cheap pans in favor of things that are easy on the eyes (and will likely last longer, too). Not to worry, we’ve gathered options for those as well. 

Keep Your Wares Where People Can See Them

Photo by Belle Morizio
Photo by Belle Morizio

Pegboards have been popular since they covered the walls of Julia Child’s kitchen, and there’s a reason for that: They take up zero space, as long as you have an empty wall to spare. Plus showing off your kitchen tools like wall decor says: “I’m ready to tackle The New York Times Cooking recipe of the day.” For a more discreet look, a pot rack or magnetic knife bar will also display your cookware and utensils while saving space.

Pegboard Wall Organizer Tiles

Amazon
$60

High Density Fiberboard, 24u0022 x 48u0022 x1/4u0022 (Set of 4) by Triton Products

Amazon
$145

The Pegboard Set

Great Jones
$50

Skadis Pegboard

IKEA
$17

Wall Half-Circle Pot Rack by Cuisinart

Williams Sonoma
$60

Forged Iron Pot Rack

Nickey Kehoe
$100

Enclume Wall Rack

Willams Sonoma
$90

16-Inch Magnetic Knife Holder for Wall

Amazon
$16

There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Surface Space  

Photo by Aaron Bengochea

Truth: Most rental kitchens don’t have enough surface space. But kitchen prep tables make everything from chopping vegetables to storing cookware a breeze. The beauty of these lies in the fact that they’re freestanding; you can move them from floating in the middle of the room to against a wall—many even have wheels. As shown in the above image, Alison Roman lined up two IKEA’s Förhöja carts to create a long, counterlike effect.

Stainless Steel Prep u0026amp; Work Table with Adjustable Shelf

Amazon
$160

Maple Top Work Table by VEVOR

Amazon
$329

Mobile Packing Workbench

Global Industrial
$686

Stainless Steel Table for Prep u0026amp; Work by ROCKPOINT

Amazon
$147

Rimforsa Work Bench

IKEA
$748

John Boos Butcher Block Island

Rejuvenation
$1669

No Cabinet Space, No Problem

Photo by Belle Morizio; Design by Nick Poe
Photo by Aaron Bengochea; Design by Nick Poe

Just because you’re low on cabinet space doesn’t mean you can’t build in your own storage. From a heavy-duty metal shelf reminiscent of restaurant-supply stores to a $40 magnetic landing spot built for the top of your stove, you’ll find there are plenty of places to stagger spices and hang (yes, hang!) stemware that aren’t behind cabinet doors. 

Expandable Countertop Organizer

Yamazaki Home
$38

Under Cabinet Stemware Rack by Tiilan

Amazon
$18

Bacheca Shelf

HAY
$95

StoveShelf

Amazon
$40

Regency 18 Gauge Stainless Steel 12u0022 x 48u0022 Solid Wall Shelf

Webstaurant Store
$47

Wood Plate Dish Rack

Etsy
$145

Fill It Up With Elevated Accessories

Photo by Belle Morizio; Design by Nick Poe

The beauty of concealed storage is that you can tuck away less attractive items. But in this type of kitchen, it’s all about open shelving. That means no plastic mixing bowls and ironic mugs, unless that’s really what you’re into. Think: a classic Chemex, enamel serveware, and a Spanish oil pitcher.  

Pour-Over Glass Chemex Coffeemaker

Amazon
$47

Enamelware Serving Bowl by Crow Canyon

Amazon
$27

Cedar Trivet

Jinen
$10

Chambord 34-Oz. French Press by Bodum

Crate u0026 Barrel
$40

White Enamel Rustic Metal Pitcher

Amazon
$48

Spanish Oil Pitcher

Schoolhouse
$48 $40

Netherton Foundry Iron Griddle

Toast
$155

Whisk Broom Natural by Berea

Goodee
$45

Fox Run White 3-Tier Kitchen Hanging Fruit Basket

Amazon
$17

Il Conico 90017 Water Kettle by Alessi

Amazon
$250

If You’re Willing to Reno 

Photo by Aaron Bengochea; Design by Nick Poe.

If you’re past the renting phase but still want the look, there are plenty of permanent fixtures that can help you own the style as a homeowner, too. Subway tiles, farmhouse sinks, and butcher block countertops all contribute the same vibes.

Reid Ceramic Utility Sink

Rejuvenation
$1049

Rubie 74u0022 L x 39u0022 W Rectangular Table Top

Wayfair
$385

Restore Bright White 4-1/4 in. x 4-1/4 in. Ceramic Wall Tile

Home Depot
$11

Crue 1.5 GPM Single Hole Pre-Rinse Pull Down Kitchen Faucet – Includes Escutcheon

Home Depot
$464

LepoHome 24 Pieces 48×38 mm Black Card Holder Drawer Pull

Amazon
$10

5 in. 1-Light White Contemporary Semi-Flush Mount Light

Home Depot
$20

Julia Stevens

Contributing Editor

Julia Stevens is a Domino contributing editor. Basically, she’s a professional online shopper. She started at Domino as an intern and spent almost seven years in the style department curating products for our gift guides, trend roundups, and product reviews and on set styling the beautiful homes we get to share. Off hours, you can find her scouting New York’s newest design shops and restyling her shelves