Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Angela Elias
Between our microwave and the massive espresso machine I had to have, countertop real estate is a hot commodity in our kitchen. Food prep can be a nightmare. Breakfast-making and lunchbox packing alone is an engineering feat that involves stacked cutting boards and precariously placed breakfast appliances. Downsizing our ancient and unnecessarily enormous dish rack has been a game changer. I managed to find a new dish rack that can hold a circus tent worth of cookware, blend in without becoming another eyesore, and become mobile when necessary. The Yamazaki Dish Rack ($87) is a small kitchen work horse worth every single penny.
What I Like About the Yamazaki Dish Rack
Inspired by Scandinavian design and “small space living” in Japan, this dish rack is an aesthetic dream. Its white, coated-steel frame and lacquer-coated wooden handles are the perfect balance of minimalism and warmth. I never thought I’d say this about a dish rack, but it looks beautiful on my kitchen counter.
While it’s fairly petite in size, it can hold a surprising amount of dishes, thanks to the removable cutlery holder and strategically-molded steel frame. My favorite feature is the tall draining tray that doesn’t need to be kept by the sink for overflow. Instead, I can tuck it back in a corner while dishes are drying or move it off of the counter entirely if I need more space. I was afraid that the water build-up would be annoying to have to constantly lift and dump every time the dishes dry, but the water that does accumulate tends to just evaporate. I simply wipe the tray down occasionally to keep it clean. Overall, the dish rack is surprisingly low maintenance.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Angela Elias
What’s Worth Noting About the Yamazaki Dish Rack
All praise aside, there’s no getting around the fact that this is a pricey dish rack. At nearly $100, some may balk at the idea of forking over so much for something so simple. I get it. But investing in a more attractive and utilitarian version of an everyday household item can be a worthy upgrade if you can swing it. I’ve spotted less expensive versions, but I can’t speak to their quality. I have been impressed by this dish rack’s materials, which haven’t rusted or accumulated mildew with use.
I love how clean and crisp the white version looks, especially with my kitchen’s white cabinets, but you can also purchase a gorgeous gray version of the Yamazaki Dish Rack on the brand’s website.
Who Is the Yamazaki Dish Rack Best For?
This dish rack is perfect for someone with limited counter space who is also a sucker for intentional design and aesthetics. Since it’s a splurge, it may not be the best choice if you need to delegate your kitchen budget to other things like cookware. If you’re looking for a beautiful, well-made, compact, and mobile dish rack and are willing to spend, you’ll love this one.
Where Is the Yamazaki Dish Rack Available?
The Yamazaki Dish Rack is available on Amazon, Yamazaki, The Container Store, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Additional Details About the Yamazaki Dish Rack
- Dimensions: 13.19 inches in length x 18.5 inches in width x 7.87 inches in height.
- Materials: Steel, wood, ABS resin, and Ash veneer with clear varnish.
- Care: Yamazaki’s website says to “wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth, and wipe dry,” but I’ve also applied a multipurpose kitchen spray or a bit of dish soap to clean the tray as needed without any problem.
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Angela Elias is a contributing editor for POPSUGAR Shopping. In her former roles at POPSUGAR, she led the relaunch of its Latine identity and family-focused verticals, directed its Home vertical, and hosted shopping segments for “POPSUGAR Now” on TV Guide Network and video content for brands like Pier 1 and Walgreens. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the lifestyle space as a writer, editor, content strategist, director, on-camera talent, and publicist.
