The space under your kitchen sink doesn’t have to become a wasteland of shopping bags, sponges, and random cleaning supplies. If you are intentional about organizing under the kitchen sink, you may be surprised by how much extra storage space you can squeeze out from around the plumbing, garbage disposal, and water filtration system. Here are 12 space-saving ideas for under the kitchen sink organization.
12 Clever Under the Kitchen Sink Organization Ideas
Think about how many times a day you open your kitchen cabinets. There’s a good chance that you (like me), access the area under the kitchen sink the most often. (Second to the snack cabinet!) Why not create a pretty yet functional space for your kitchen (and your sanity)?
What should be stored under the kitchen sink?
Just like no two people are exactly alike, no two under sink storage spaces are identical. And that’s okay! Here are some items I typically store under my kitchen sink:
- Dry dog food
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher detergent
- Rinse agent for dishwasher
- Scouring powder for sink
- Plastic grocery store bags (to reuse)
- Scrub brushes and sponges for dishwashing
- Garbage bags
- All-purpose cleaner for countertops, stovetop, and appliances
- Recycling
How to organize under the kitchen sink.
Time needed: 30 minutes.
Follow these steps to maximize the storage under your kitchen sink
- Empty it out
The first thing you’ll need to do when organizing underneath the kitchen sink, is to remove everything from the cabinet.
- Clean the space
Next, grab a small broom and dustpan (or a vacuum) and sweep up any loose dirt. Then, fill a bucket with hot, soapy water and give the area a good scrubbing.
- Identify which items belong in the space
When organizing, I like to keep items close to where I generally use them. For this reason, the only things I keep under my kitchen sink are those which I need to access quickly while cooking and cleaning in the kitchen. Everything else belongs somewhere else.
- Plan the best use of your space
Identify any organizational hinderances. (I’m looking at you, garbage disposal)! Plan to use up as much vertical space as possible. Measure height and width and subtract for obstacles. Don’t forget the doors!
- Implement organizational solutions
Group like items together and store accordingly. When organizing under the kitchen sink, look for waterproof square (or rectangle) containers in order to get the best fit. The exception to this is a lazy susan; which is a great way to organize tall bottles of cleaning products that would otherwise wind up lost behind one another.
I prefer to use see-through containers so I can see at-a-glance which items I am running low on. Whatever storage containers you choose, be sure to label them for ease of use. Try to keep everything in plain sight and whenever possible, utilize the doors. - Toss, recycle, or relocate
Combine any duplicate cleaning supplies. Relocate items if needed. Remember to recycle the containers if you can!
Organizing under the kitchen sink with dollar store products
If you want to organize under the sink on a budget, your local Dollar Tree may be the answer. Flavia, from Neat House, Sweet Home, was able to organize the area under her kitchen sink for just $8!
Use the vertical space
Notice how Christene, from Keys To Inspiration, uses clear stackable drawers under her kitchen sink.
While Kelley Nan uses an inexpensive wire shelf to instantly create more storage.
Check out how Ann, from On Sutton Place uses the vertical space under her kitchen sink. Hint: to store her cutting boards! BTW, I love those clear plastic storage containers with handles!
Keep everything in plain sight
Abby keeps the bare minimum under her kitchen sink and stores everything in clear acrylic containers. Those drawers are stackable, so they will fit almost any space!
Unoriginal Mom managed to seek out enough space under her kitchen sink for a small garbage can that pulls out for ease of use.
Don’t forget to use the doors
This under-sink organizing project from I Heart Organizing is my favorite due to the way she utilizes the doors for storage. She (brilliantly) uses acrylic spice shelves mounted with command strips to house her scrub brushes and sponges.
Here’s another good way the doors to store cleaning supplies. Also, notice the way Toni, from A Bowl Full of Lemons, uses command hooks to hang her dishwashing gloves, squeegee, and a small broom.
Keep it functional & pretty
The area under the kitchen sink should be functional AND pretty. Check out how Lindsay, from Organization Obsessed, uses a stylish wire adjustable shelf along with pretty, turquoise labels to keep everything organized.
Katrina, from the Organised Housewife, knows she needs to be able to access her daily cleaning supplies quickly. So, she installed an inexpensive tension rod to hang her bottles from.
Casey, from The DIY Playbook, must have gotten the message because she also uses a tension rod to hold her spray bottles! She ‘keeps it real’ by using a simple plastic bucket to hold dirty cleaning cloths.
I love how Jenn, from Clean and Scentsible, uses small towel bars along with S-hooks on the inside of the cabinet doors to hold all of the necessities. You could also use self-adhesive cabinet rods in order to avoid having to drill holes in your cabinet doors. So pretty!
I hope these tips help you to create a useful space under your kitchen sink!
MORE ABOUT KITCHEN ORGANIZATION
- 21 Brilliant Ways To Organize Kitchen Cabinets
- 10 Genius Pantry Organization Hacks
- How To Instantly Create More Storage In A Small Kitchen
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» Free Printable Pantry Labels: Farmhouse Rae Dunn Inspired
I have an old kitchen whose under sink doors are ventilated. Most modern cabinets are not, therefore, be careful of mold growing under your sink if you place anything wet or damp in here. Sponges, towels, rags, garbage-all are sources of dampness, so mold will grow here.