Organizing under your sink not only makes things easier to find but also can increase storage space in kitchens and/or bathrooms. But what about that bulky drain line that is in the way? Not a problem. There are solutions for every under-the-sink design.
When you utilize the space under your sink, you can add so much extra usable space. It is a great way to increase the storage space in your kitchen and/or bathrooms.
I just recently got around to organizing under my kitchen sink. Doing so allowed me to shuffle some things around in my kitchen to make more room. By the time I was finished, I had cleaned out an entire drawer.
That in and of itself made it worth the time. I now have a whole drawer to use for my cooking supplies! FYI – I plan to dedicate this newly found space to my pastry and cookie tools.
As you can see, I did not bother with putting things in pretty little containers with pretty little labels. While I enjoy a “staged-perfect” space as much as anyone else, I feel that some spaces really need to be more practical.
I am also not a fan of posting unrealistic images just for the sake of being glamorous. So, what you see is what my under-the-sink area is actually like on any given day of the week.
I added the much-needed, double-tiered, pull-out to hold all my frequently used cleaning products. I also added a stackable drawer unit for rags and a dishpan.
The dishpan serves several purposes. It is where I toss my dirty dish rags until laundry day. I can easily pull them out and soak them as needed. It also is convenient when I need to have a wash bucket.
Plus, the placement (beneath the sink plumbing) serves as protection if I ever get a leak. And while this particular post is not likely to win me a place in Better Homes and Gardens, at least it might help someone get a real solution to their under-the-sink organizing problem.
How Do I Organize the Space Under My Sink?
Slide-out Organizers
My all-time favorite for any base cabinet is to convert them into pull-outs. Pull-outs make space more efficient. They also make things much easier to reach. Without them, you have to struggle to find stuff at the back of the cabinets.
If needed, you can install multiple levels of pullouts in most cabinets. That means you can get twice the storage space. In some situations, you can even get three levels.
One of the best pull-outs for under-the-sink storage is the half, multi-tier, pull-out. I added the Lynk stainless steel pull-out (above) under my kitchen sink. If you want a high-quality product without the high price that comes with some of the other brands, you must check this out.
This multi-tier pull-out is perfect for going around a bulky sink drain and works well with even the largest garbage disposal. This Lynk multi-tier will fit almost any standard sink cabinet and is the easiest brand that I have found for installation.
Recommended Under-the-Sink Pull-Out Organizers
Stainless Tiered Pull-Out that I used.*
Single Stainless Pull-Out*
Stackables
Another great option is to use stackable containers to organize under-the-sink. I prefer the drawer units like the one above. The drawers are perfectly sized for microfiber cloths and dish rags, but could also work for a slew of other items.
My disposal system left me with just a small amount of space on the right side of the sink. This drawer unit still fit the space and gave me a lot of room for dishrags.
Tip – moving dishrags to a container beneath the sink can free up cabinet drawers for more important items. Plus, you can stack extra items on top of these drawer units.
Recommended Under-the-Sink Stackable Organizers
3 Sliding Basket Unit in Stainless Steel that I Used Above*
White Single Sliding Basket with Top Shelf*
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths*
Baskets and Bins
Anytime you can add a basket or a bin, I say do so! It is so much easier to just grab a basket than it is to dig through the back of a cabinet.
After adding the multi-tier and the drawer stacks, I had just enough room to slide a dishpan underneath the drain.
I am using it as a hamper for my dirty dish rags. As I said before, I like to presoak my dishrags and this make it much easier on me.
When it gets full, I pull it out, drop it into the sink, and fill it up with the presoak solution. When it’s done, I can carry the whole dishpan to the washing machine and dump it in. Easy. Breezy.
Recommended Baskets and Bin Organizers for Under-the-Sink
Slim Style Plastic Bins (like the one above)*
Slim Metal (farmhouse style) Storage Basket* (for an alternative style)
Dishpan*
Utilize Cabinet Doors for More Storage
Don’t forget about the real estate on the back of the door. Even if you cram the entire cabinet full of stuff, you should still be able to add storage for a squeegee and a drying hook for dishrags.
If you prefer to have easy access to the basic cleaning items, I recommend adding a door storage unit. The Rev-a-Shelf organizer above (Image by Dura Supreme Cabinetry) is easy to assemble and adds so much space.
Another great idea is to use the interior door space to hang your wet dish towels or other accessories. The over-the-door towel racks are a perfect solution for this.
Recommended Over the Door Organizers for Under-the-Sink
Rev-a-Shelf Wooden Door Organizer (shown above)*
2 Pack Towel Bar (multiple finishes available)*
More Creative Storage Ideas
Consider adding a few 3M hooks to hang rags, brushes, and rubber gloves. Kari Skelton made great use of her doors using just a few hooks and clips.
If you prefer to store all of your around-the-house cleaning items under your sink, and you want to be able to quickly pull said items out, a cleaning caddy may be just the thing for you.
Using a cleaning caddy makes it easy to grab and go when you do your daily/weekly rounds. It is perfect for storing multi-room cleaning items. Grab one like this from Amazon.*
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