Previously we’ve discussed how to best store your sharp knives and other metal objects. We looked at knife drawers, knife blocks and magnetic knife racks. Our verdict was inevitably 100% for the racks. Today, we will discuss on where to hang these amazingly useful kitchen accessories – and there are quite a few ways to utilise them. Finding the right space for your knives and other metal tools is more than just a question of kitchen organisation. The right knife storage can help your knives stay sharper longer—and help your kitchen look fancier, too. Dig into our article, and it may surprise you to know that there are plenty of ways and places to hang a knife rack around the kitchen.
OK, there are definitely more than 10 places to hang a knife rack, but these ideas are a great starting place.
1. Above the sink.
If you decide to go for this space, you must be sure that your magnets are really strong and the wood or other material which your rack is made of is protected from humidity. Tucked up and behind the sink, it’s safe and inaccessible to children, but easy to reach when you are putting your knives away after washing and drying.
2. Behind the stove.
This makes good use of that oft-unused slice of wall right behind the stove.
3. On the backsplash.
This is probably the most common way to hang a magnetic knife strip, particularly if you keep a chopping board or butcher block on your countertop (guilty!). Adds an edgy feel to the other minimalistic design we like. It keeps everything you need for your food prep in one place.
4. On a small, otherwise unused wall area.
Maybe you were that lucky or unlucky with your developer and you ended up with some small area – you couldn’t put any drawers nor other piece of furniture (didn’t fit) so you just left it unused. Time to hang a knife rack in there.
5. Inside the cabinet door.
Another hidden storage trick! The knife rack in this case is mounted on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door. Although we’d imagine you’d have to be careful not to open or close the door too quickly, lest the knives fall off! We don’t recommend that if you have virtuous teenagers.
6. On the window frame.
On the opposite spectrum, if you don’t have any wall space to spare, you can mount a knife strip directly on your window frame.
7. On the side of the cabinets.
Cabinet sides are another underused space, and they work well if you want to hang your knife rack in a higher, safer location which your small kids or a pet can’t reach.
8. To the side of the stove.
If you prepare food near your stovetop, this orientation keeps your knives within easy reach, although honestly speaking, we don’t find it really practical (and it’s an extra strain on the magnetic strength).
9. Underneath the cabinets.
This is the option for those who want to brag with their impressive knife collection (any Japanese knife fans here?)
10. On the wall as part of a larger grouping.
Do you have a magnetic knife strip? Where did you hang it in your kitchen?
2026 Update: Kitchen Design Trends and Magnetic Racks
The biggest shift in kitchen design over the past two years has been the move away from upper cabinets toward open walls and floating shelves. This trend — driven by both aesthetic preference and the practical realisation that upper cabinets make kitchens feel cramped — has made magnetic knife racks more relevant than ever. If your remodel removes the cabinets above the counter, you need somewhere for the knives to live, and a wall-mounted rack is the obvious answer.
Three placements we didn't cover originally
On the side of a kitchen island. This has become popular in 2025-2026 kitchens where the cook works primarily at the island rather than against a wall. Mount the rack vertically on the side facing the cook’s working position. Keep it out of reach of children.
Inside a deep pantry door. If you prefer your knives out of sight, mounting a rack on the interior of a walk-in pantry door keeps them accessible but hidden. This works particularly well for households with young children or frequent guests.
Above a kitchen window. Unconventional but practical — the space above a window is often dead wall, and a knife rack there gets your blades off the counter without taking useful cabinet space. Works best when your window is at counter height rather than lower.
Wood vs. metal in 2026
For owners of handcrafted Japanese knives, we continue to strongly recommend wooden magnetic racks over metal ones. The softer surface prevents the chipping that can occur when a thin Japanese blade is slapped against a hard steel bar. Our walnut and oak racks use encapsulated neodymium magnets behind a wood face — the blade never touches anything harder than the wood itself.
Handcrafted Japanese Knives by Oishya
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