The area under your kitchen sink is one of the most overlooked yet potentially useful storage spaces in your home. Often a chaotic jumble of cleaning supplies, sponges, trash bags, and miscellaneous tools, this compact zone can quickly become cluttered and frustrating. But with a bit of planning and the right organization techniques, this underappreciated space can be transformed into a tidy, efficient hub that makes your daily kitchen routine smoother.
Whether you’re dealing with awkward plumbing, limited square footage, or just a lack of ideas, there are creative solutions for every situation. From pull-out drawers and stackable bins to clever tension rod hacks and labeled baskets, a well-organized under-sink cabinet can free up space, reduce stress, and even make cleaning feel a little more satisfying.
Decluttering Before You Organize
The first step to creating a functional and tidy under-sink space is decluttering. Since this area often becomes a catch-all for cleaning supplies, sponges, plastic bags, and other odds and ends, it can quickly spiral into chaos. Decluttering ensures that you’re only storing items that are necessary, safe, and easy to access. Before you add bins or organizers, it’s essential to completely empty out the cabinet and start with a clean slate.
Step One: Clear It Out
- Remove everything: Take out every single item, even if it looks useful.
- Toss expired products: Old cleaners, dried sponges, or half-empty bottles should go.
- Check for duplicates: Keep just one or two of each essential product and donate unopened extras.
Step Two: Deep Clean & Inspect
- Scrub and disinfect: Wipe down the cabinet walls and base to remove dust, spills, or residue.
- Inspect for leaks: Examine pipes and seals for water damage or mold, addressing problems early.
- Lay protective mats: Adding liners or mats prevents future spills from staining the cabinet.
Once everything is cleared and the cabinet is fresh, group your remaining items into categories. Daily-use items like dish soap or sponges should be in front, while weekly or occasional products such as specialty cleaners can go toward the back or into separate bins. Decluttering not only saves space but also prevents unnecessary purchases, since you’ll clearly see what you already have. By starting with this step, your under-sink space transforms from a messy, frustrating area into an organized foundation for smarter storage solutions.
Smart Storage Solutions for Under the Sink
Organizing under the sink can feel overwhelming because of the pipes and awkward space, but the right tools make it easy. Smart storage solutions help you fit more into the area while keeping everything neat and accessible. By choosing containers, racks, and organizers that work with your cabinet’s size, you can create a functional storage hub that eliminates frustration.
Must-Have Organizers
- Bins & Baskets: Perfect for corralling sprays, sponges, and dishwashing supplies while making them easy to grab.
- Pull-Out Drawers: Ideal for deep cabinets, they allow you to see everything without digging to the back.
- Over-the-Door Racks: Great for hanging gloves, brushes, or trash bags where you can grab them quickly.
Clever Additions
- Tension Rods: Hang spray bottles across the cabinet to free up shelf space.
- Lazy Susans: Keep smaller items like polish, cleaners, or sponges visible and within reach.
- Waterproof Mats: Protect the base from leaks, spills, or dampness and make cleanup easier.
With these solutions, the under-sink space becomes far less cluttered and much easier to maintain. By assigning a designated place for every item, you reduce the risk of messy piles and wasted space. Smart storage not only improves efficiency but also makes your kitchen feel more organized and intentional.
No More Clutter! Under Sink Storage Ideas You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
In this article, we’ll explore 21 brilliant under kitchen sink organization ideas that are both stylish and practical. These tips will not only help you maximize every inch of space but also bring order and intention to one of the messiest parts of the kitchen. Get ready to turn chaos into calm—one bin, shelf, and label at a time.
Not Just the Sink: Learn from Pantry-Level Precision
While this isn’t an under-sink cabinet, it offers valuable inspiration for maximizing vertical storage in small, enclosed spaces. The use of clear acrylic bins for categorizing tea packets, sweeteners, supplements, and shaker bottles demonstrates how tailored storage can simplify access and reduce clutter. Applying this method under the sink means thinking beyond just cleaning products—consider storing backup dish pods, garbage bags, or microfiber cloths in clearly labeled containers. Clear bins make everything visible and easy to grab while maintaining a visually calming layout. Adapting this system under your kitchen sink can turn a chaotic mess into a neatly segmented zone where everything has a purpose.
Door Racks and Wire Bins for Maximum Access
This elegant under-sink setup makes strategic use of every available inch. Wire bins inside the cabinet hold bulky items like paper towels and backup sponges, while mounted racks on the cabinet doors keep smaller, frequently-used supplies within easy reach. The overall aesthetic is clean and cohesive, with matching containers and a thoughtful layout that accommodates plumbing without sacrificing functionality. This kind of zoning—vertical for taller items, horizontal for baskets—helps streamline your cleaning routine. It’s a high-efficiency model that shows how a few smart storage pieces can create a surprisingly spacious feel, even in a cramped cabinet.
Divide and Conquer with Sectioned Storage
If you’re dealing with pipes, disposal units, and other bulky fixtures, organization becomes a game of inches. This setup handles the challenge beautifully by utilizing stackable clear drawers for dish pods and sprays, plus a tall, narrow shelf system for lightweight items like paper rolls and folders. It’s proof that even a tight, uneven space can become ultra-efficient with the right containers. By separating storage into distinct vertical zones—left for heavy-use sprays, right for accessories—you minimize wasted space and keep everyday items ready to go. This system works especially well in shared homes or apartments, where every inch counts.
Clear Bins Bring Structure to Cleaning Chaos
This under-sink space showcases how consistency in storage containers can drastically improve both function and form. With matching clear bins, every product has a designated home—multi-surface sprays, disinfecting wipes, powders, and even trash bags. It’s all about visual order: no more digging through a pile of random bottles or fishing out a lost sponge. Using identical bins with open tops makes it easy to grab and go while maintaining a clean aesthetic. This method is ideal for households that use a wide variety of cleaning products and want an organization system that doesn’t slip into chaos over time.
Mix Wire and Acrylic for Smart Storage Layers
This setup combines the best of both worlds—sturdy wire shelving and sleek acrylic drawers—to create a multi-level storage powerhouse. Bulkier bottles sit upright in open bins for easy access, while smaller items like dish pods and scrubbers are tucked into drawers. The design takes plumbing and disposal units into account without letting them dominate the space. What stands out is how well everything fits without feeling cluttered, offering both accessibility and visual clarity. For households juggling many cleaning tasks, this kind of layered system makes sure every product is in its place—and stays there.
Keep It Light and Labeled for Instant Clarity
This beautifully bright under-sink layout proves that style and organization can go hand in hand. With labeled acrylic drawers, neutral-toned baskets, and matching bottles, the space feels clean, intentional, and surprisingly spacious. The labels are key here—they eliminate guesswork and help every member of the household find what they need without rifling through everything. Clear bins keep items visible, while baskets conceal less-attractive essentials like cloths or backups. This method is perfect for minimalist kitchens or anyone looking to bring a sense of calm and visual order to a frequently used space.
Zone Everything with Matching Storage Bins
Creating a “zone-based” system under your sink can simplify daily routines and reduce clutter. This setup features uniform white bins labeled with categories like “Cleaning,” “Tea Towels,” and “Wraps & Bags.” Each bin has a home, making it easy to put things back where they belong. Wire risers provide vertical separation for a second layer of bins without crowding the space. This strategy is ideal for families or shared spaces—everyone knows exactly where to find things, and just as importantly, where to return them. It’s a functional and aesthetically pleasing organization technique that makes staying tidy nearly effortless.
Drawer Units for a Professional-Level Setup
For those looking to upgrade their kitchen organization to professional-grade, this system delivers. Every item, from spray bottles to dishwasher tabs to vacuum bags, is grouped and labeled in custom-fitted drawers. Even awkward items like garbage bags and Roomba accessories have a designated bin. The transparency of the drawers ensures you can quickly see what needs refilling, while the labels prevent duplication or overflow. This method is ideal for larger households or anyone with a variety of tools and cleaners—everything has a place, and every place has a purpose.
Metal Mesh Drawers for Structured Access
Maximizing vertical space with metal mesh drawers is a game-changer in under-sink organization. This setup uses tiered organizers to separate items by frequency of use—dish soap and disinfectant wipes on top, less-used backups underneath. The mesh material is breathable, durable, and easy to clean, making it perfect for potentially damp environments. Using bins of consistent size keeps the cabinet tidy, while different textures (like plastic for heavier items and mesh for light goods) maintain visual interest. It’s a great balance of function and form, suitable for busy kitchens where organization can’t slow down your workflow.
A Fully Integrated Utility Hub
This final setup turns the under-sink area into a full utility station. From neatly folded towels and mounted hooks for gloves to refillable containers and even labeled dry goods, everything is perfectly in place. Wire shelving units optimize vertical real estate, while airtight containers line the back wall, making this a great multipurpose space for both cleaning and storage. It’s an ideal system for those who want to consolidate household needs into one sleek zone. If your goal is an under-sink space that feels like part of your kitchen’s overall design, this level of detail and cohesion sets the gold standard.
Group by Category for Maximum Efficiency
This cabinet proves how powerful a well-labeled system can be. Each bin is clearly marked—“Cleaning Products,” “Backstock,” “Dishwasher Pods”—making it effortless to sort and retrieve items. By categorizing and containing supplies in tall, handled bins, this setup not only keeps everything upright but also allows for quick access. Even the inside of the door is put to use, with a hanging bottle for everyday cleaning sprays. This approach is especially effective for busy households that need a grab-and-go setup with minimal effort and zero guesswork.
Line It Up: Keep It Open and Accessible
Not every under-sink setup needs fancy bins to be functional. This configuration shows that simply grouping items together—like spray bottles in a row, sponges in a box, and dish pods in a tray—can be just as effective. This method works well in smaller cabinets where space is tight, and every inch needs to be used with intention. It’s straightforward, easy to maintain, and offers clear visibility of your entire supply inventory. If you’re just starting your organization journey, this style is budget-friendly and gets the job done.
Use Bright Containers to Break Up Clutter
Bold red bins bring both energy and structure to this under-sink space. They group together smaller, loose items like gloves, wraps, and sponges, while bulkier supplies like dishwasher tabs and foil boxes are stacked along the back. What this setup lacks in uniformity it makes up for in visibility—every product is easy to spot and grab. Plus, using color-coded bins can be a smart strategy in homes with kids or roommates, where quick identification can save time and confusion.
Lazy Susan for Tight Spaces and Fast Access
Tight on space? A rotating tray—aka Lazy Susan—is an under-sink game changer. This image shows how you can store frequently used cleaners on a turntable so nothing gets buried in the back. It’s a perfect solution for awkward plumbing layouts or narrow cabinets. Paired with mounted door holders for extra bottles, this method keeps high-use items like glass cleaner and dish soap always within arm’s reach. It’s efficient, simple, and ideal for those who want fast access with minimal bending and rummaging.
Multi-Drawer System for Layered Organization
This highly detailed setup uses multiple clear drawers to create vertical layers of storage, transforming a basic under-sink area into a fully operational cleaning hub. Separate drawers hold dish pods, scrub pads, microfiber cloths, and more, while spray bottles sit neatly on top. It’s clean, uniform, and incredibly easy to maintain. The metal pull-out racks on the side provide extra utility, holding jars and less-used items without crowding the central area. This is the kind of organization that helps streamline not just your space—but your routine.
Layered Drawers Make Small Items Easy to Grab
This under-sink setup uses a combination of drawers and open trays to separate sprays, pods, and cloths with ease. What makes it work so well is the clear distinction between each item’s zone. Paper towels are stacked neatly to the side, while a dual-layer system underneath keeps pods and wipes tidy. Using bins that slide out prevents digging through the back of the cabinet, making this both user-friendly and ultra-organized. It’s a solid solution for small households that want maximum function in a small footprint.
Mix Materials for a Balanced Look
By combining wood bins, wire baskets, and acrylic trays, this cabinet achieves a practical yet stylish balance. Spray bottles are stored upright in open wooden bins, while frequently used cloths and gloves are organized in stackable drawers. A pull-out rack adds an extra layer for tall bottles and cleaning cloths. This layout also makes the most of vertical height and provides an easy way to rotate stock. It’s proof that you don’t need identical bins for a cohesive look—just a consistent system and thoughtful placement.
Use Deep Clear Bins with Labels
This example showcases large, labeled plastic bins lined up in a row, dividing items by task: dishwashing tools, specialty cleaners, sponges, and trash bags. Each bin is spacious enough to hold bulky supplies without spilling over and shallow enough to keep visibility high. A strong label game ensures nothing ends up in the wrong spot. The overall look is clean and professional—and more importantly, it’s super easy to maintain. This strategy is ideal for anyone who prefers quick visual recognition over rummaging through clutter.
Stack Up to Save Counter Space
Sometimes you don’t need fancy materials—just a logical system. This cabinet uses drawers, trays, and stacked supplies to keep everything within reach. Cleaning sprays and wipes sit up front, while bulkier or backup products are stacked behind or layered in drawers. The compact setup makes room for tall items and still leaves breathing space around plumbing. For anyone short on counter space or storage, this is a highly functional way to extend your cleaning zone without cluttering the rest of the kitchen.
Color-Code and Categorize
This vibrant cabinet demonstrates how color coordination can simplify your organization system. Clear bins are used for dish pods and cleaners, while larger items are organized by height along the back. Paper towels and wipes are stacked and visible, and the entire area feels fresh, open, and accessible. By grouping similar colors together, your eye instantly understands the zones, making this method both visually appealing and functional. Great for anyone who wants both aesthetics and practicality under their sink.
Utilize Slim Storage for Tight Cabinets
This last example proves you can make the most of even the narrowest cabinets. With slim, upright bins and soft-sided containers, every product has a home without blocking access to plumbing. The trick here is using uniform containers in a single row to keep the visual line clean and easy to scan. It’s a perfect system for galley kitchens or apartments where cabinet space is tight but organization still matters.
Space-Saving & DIY Hacks
When organizing under the sink, creativity often makes the biggest difference. DIY hacks and space-saving ideas help you maximize every inch while staying on budget. Instead of expensive custom organizers, you can repurpose everyday items or create your own dividers and holders.
Space-Saving Solutions
- Stackable Organizers: Use tiered bins or baskets to create vertical layers that double storage.
- Repurpose Magazine Holders: Turn them sideways to neatly store foil, wraps, or cutting boards upright.
- File Organizers for Lids: Slim racks work perfectly for storing pan lids without wasting space.
DIY Storage Hacks
- Cardboard or Wood Dividers: Simple, budget-friendly dividers help separate sponges, cleaners, or cloths.
- Hooks or Clips: Stick adhesive hooks inside the cabinet to hang gloves or scrub brushes.
- Rolling Caddy: Transform a small cart into a pull-out cleaning station that fits under the sink.
By combining space-saving products with DIY ingenuity, you can transform even the smallest cabinet into a well-structured storage zone. The key is tailoring solutions to your household’s needs—whether that means creating extra compartments for cleaning sprays or adding a quick-access spot for trash bags. With a little effort, this awkward space can turn into one of the most efficient areas in your kitchen.
FAQs – Under Kitchen Sink Organization
How do I organize under my kitchen sink without buying anything?
Repurpose items you already own—shoe boxes, jars, or old baskets work great for grouping cleaners and sponges. Even a cardboard divider can help separate categories.
What containers work best for small under-sink cabinets?
Slim bins, stackable baskets, and pull-out trays maximize vertical space while keeping items visible. Clear containers also make it easy to see what you have.
How do I keep under-sink storage safe from leaks or pests?
Line the cabinet with waterproof mats, use sealed bins, and regularly check pipes. Baking soda also helps prevent odors.
Can I store food under the sink?
It’s not recommended, since the space is prone to heat, moisture, and pests. Keep it for cleaning and household supplies only.
Final Verdict
Organizing the space under your kitchen sink may seem like a minor task, but as these 21 creative setups prove, it can have a major impact on your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetics. With the right combination of bins, labels, risers, and smart layout strategies, even the most awkward cabinet can become a highly efficient storage zone. Whether you’re aiming for a minimalist look or a fully stocked cleaning station, the key lies in maximizing vertical space, categorizing your supplies, and using tools that work with—not against—your plumbing. A little planning goes a long way toward turning clutter into calm.