How to Organize the Cabinet Under a Sink

The single most consistent piece of advice I’ve received from professional organizers throughout the years is to edit belongings before finding a permanent spot for them. This means clearing everything out and decluttering accordingly. 

Sticking to an organization method means making it easy enough to maintain. Avoid investing in a system you won’t realistically uphold or purchasing an item that may be great in theory (read: aesthetically pleasing) but not in practice. 

“What is the point of having stacked, labeled bins if the item one needs is in the bottom one? It’s pretty, but not very efficient,” says Merrilee Reynolds, founder of Mode, a professional decluttering and home organization service. 

Because the cabinet under a sink tends to be small (not to mention filled with pipes), Dykstra recommends keeping everything as accessible as possible and within view. Pushing items to the back makes them harder to reach and more likely to get lost over time—eventually leading to clutter. 

Instead of trying to fit every spray bottle into a finite space, Reynolds suggests reducing the amount of cleaning supplies in your arsenal. “I find one or two spray bottles with a good multi-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, toilet tablets, and some sponges will do the trick,” she says. “A number of companies are now offering concentrated pods, or tablets, that you can drop in your spray bottle and fill with water.” And that’s a win for storage and the environment. 

Shop Blueland Toilet Cleaner: $18 at Blueland; $34 for a pack of 2 at Amazon

Dykstra recommends storing cleaning supplies in transparent, lidless bins with integrated side handles, which will help you see items from all sides. “I use bins almost as drawers that I can pull out, access what I need, and push back into place,” she says. These bins are also handy for catching fluids that may leak from product bottles or loose lids. 

Lastly, aim to use square or rectangular storage containers instead of round or oval ones, Dykstra says, because they will fit well together while maximizing every available square inch of cabinet space.

Shop storage bins: from $6 and $4 at The Container Store

Cabinet doors can be a great way to expand storage space but they’re not always the best option. Bulky storage containers on the doors can eat up too much of the interior or even bump into the plumbing and basin, says Steven Restad, a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Instead, try a compact over-the-door organizer. Just be mindful of the finish because part of it will show on the outside of the cabinet, he adds. 

Reynolds prefers grid basket cabinet door organizers because they’re significantly easier to keep clean than a plastic bin. “One can still put items in there that take up vertical space, but the basket won’t infringe too much on the rest of the cabinet,” she says. Bonus points for the fact that they don’t need to be screwed in (renters, take note) and can be installed with adhesive pads.

Shop cabinet door organizers: $21 at Amazon

Keep in mind that if you maximize the use of a cabinet’s interior, you may not have any extra room for the depth-of-door storage, Dykstra says. So limit that option to small and frequently used items that you’d like instant access to.

Generally yes, but that space comes with a number of constraints. You’ll likely be competing with the underside of the basin, plumbing fixtures, and low clearance (especially if the cabinet is higher off the ground)—all of which will limit the interior capacity, and thus, available storage space.

The cabinet can also be a wet or moist environment, Restad says, so it’s worth making sure that you use storage solutions that can help with any water your items might encounter. Restad recommends adding a moisture-resistant barrier under the sink, such as a good-quality vinyl drawer liner. 

Shop drawer and cabinet liners: $17 at Amazon

In the cabinet under the kitchen sink, Dykstra prefers to store items like dish detergent and sponges separate from counter, appliance, and floor cleaners. For those with limited drawer space, the cabinet can also function as a landing spot for tinfoil, zipper bags, and parchment rolls. Consider storing them in a tall, narrow bin for ease. 

If your garbage container lives under the kitchen sink, make sure it has a lid, Reynolds says. While it may not be the most convenient, a swinging lid can offer a great workaround. It will minimize odors and be easy to use as well. 

Shop trash cans with swing tops: Amazon, Target, Wayfair

It’s important to group like items together, especially when it comes to bathroom storage where the cabinet under the sink can be a shared space for personal items and cleaning supplies. Dykstra recommends keeping the two as separate as possible; chemicals and cleaning cloths on one side and items used for the body on the other. 

“I find that using a shower caddy works for many people,” Reynolds says. “You can store all the cleaning supplies in one handy caddy, which can simply be pulled out, used, and put back.” Lazy Susans are also great because of their spin functionality, which makes it easier to find a product instead of having to dig through layers or stacks of bins. 

Shop shower caddies: $22 at Amazon

Shop Lazy Susan organizers: $20 at Amazon; $30 at The Container Store