The space under your sink is more useful than it looks. Here's how to make the most of it.
The Problem: Under-Sink Storage Is Always a Mess
The cabinet under the kitchen sink is one of the most neglected storage spaces in any home. Cleaning supplies pile up, bags get shoved in, and the plumbing takes up awkward space that makes standard shelving impossible. Most people give up and just throw things in.
But with the right approach, under-sink storage can be genuinely functional — organized, accessible, and easy to maintain.
The Challenges of Under-Sink Storage
- Plumbing takes up central space — pipes and the drain assembly limit what fits where
- Irregular shape — the cabinet is often wider than it is deep, with awkward corners
- Moisture risk — leaks happen; storage should be water-resistant
- Frequent access — cleaning supplies are used often and need to be easy to reach
Step-by-Step: Organizing Under the Sink
Step 1: Empty and Edit
Take everything out. Throw away empty bottles, expired products, and anything you haven't used in six months. Most under-sink cabinets have 30–40% more space than they appear to once the clutter is removed.
Step 2: Work Around the Plumbing
Measure the space on each side of the plumbing. Use bins that fit in those zones — one side for dish and sink supplies, the other for general cleaning supplies. The area directly behind the plumbing can hold flat items like extra sponges or trash bags.
Step 3: Use Bins to Contain Categories
Group similar items in bins: dish soap and sponges in one, surface cleaners in another, trash bags and gloves in a third. Pull the whole bin out instead of digging. Easy to clean and rearrange.
Step 4: Add a Shelf Riser if Space Allows
If the plumbing allows, a small shelf riser creates a second level on one side of the cabinet — effectively doubling the storage capacity of that zone.
Step 5: Keep Frequently Used Items at the Front
Dish soap, sponges, and the cleaner you use daily should be at the front and easy to grab. Less-used items go toward the back.
3 Products for Under-Sink Organization
1. Plastic Storage Bins (Core Item)
Use bins to contain categories under the sink. Group dish supplies in one, cleaning supplies in another. Pull the whole bin out instead of digging. Easy to clean if there's a leak. Available in multiple sizes to fit around plumbing.
2. Stainless Steel Sink Sponge Holder (Accessory)
Keep your most-used sink supplies — sponges, brushes, dishcloths — organized and draining at the sink itself, rather than stored under it. Reduces what needs to go under the sink and keeps daily supplies accessible.
👉 Shop Stainless Steel Sponge Holder
3. Kitchen Sink Organizer Rack (Complementary Item)
A compact sink rack keeps daily cleaning supplies at the sink — freeing up under-sink space for backup stock and less-used items. Efficient drainage keeps the sink area clean and functional.
👉 Shop Kitchen Sink Organizer Rack
The Bottom Line
Under-sink storage works when you work around the plumbing, use bins to contain categories, and keep frequently used items at the front. Empty and edit first, then organize what's left. The result is a cabinet that's genuinely useful — not just a place to shove things.
Shop our kitchen organization picks →
