Here are six practical tips for organizing under the sink so everything has a home and is easy to find.
One area I’d been meaning to organize for a long time was under the sink. It’s one of those spaces that easily becomes a catch-all, so I finally tackled it and I’m sharing what worked.
Empty the cabinet and declutter.
Start by removing everything from the cabinet. Throw away trash and set aside items you no longer use. Think about what actually belongs in that space and what is just taking up room. Once you’ve reduced the contents to what you use regularly, relocate items that belong elsewhere.
Decide what needs a home.
Make a list of the items you plan to store under the sink. Common items include a roll of trash bags, dish brushes, sponges, steel wool for pans, cleaning pads and dishwasher detergent. Only keep items here that are convenient to access in this spot.
Measure the space and choose organizers.
Measure the cabinet’s height, depth and width, and note any obstructions like pipes. Buy organizers that fit your specific space. Clear containers work especially well under the sink because they make it easy to see what’s inside and are simple to clean. Choose flexible units that can be stacked or arranged to fit your layout.
Arrange organizers to maximize space.
Place containers efficiently so you maximize usable space. Consider using containers along the front of the cabinet and leaving the back for bulkier or rarely used items. Stack shorter drawers or pair them with taller units to use vertical space.
For taller supplies like spray bottles and a roll of paper towels, keep one side open and use a tray-style container to corral them. A removable tray is convenient to lift out when you need it and easy to clean. If you use a turntable-style organizer, look for removable sections so you can customize the layout.
Group like items together.
Organize each container by category. Grouping like items together—cleaning cloths, sponges, scrubbers, dishwasher tabs, trash bags—makes it faster to find what you need. If you find you have more items than will comfortably fit, move infrequently used backups to another storage area such as a garage or pantry.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
An organizing system only works if it’s maintainable. Don’t overfill containers or create an overly complicated setup. Keep it simple: give each type of item its own clear container so it’s obvious where things belong. That visual cue helps everyone keep the space tidy.
You may also need to reduce the number of products you keep under the sink. Using one multi-purpose cleaner and a scrub brush, for example, eliminates the need for multiple bottles and frees up space.
When everything has a designated spot you can quickly see what you have and when something needs replenishing.
Ta da! A place for everything and everything in its place. Organizing under the sink is satisfying and sets the tone for tackling other areas. Once this cabinet was done, I moved on to organizing my fridge and creating a cart for pet supplies.
Further resources
If you enjoy organizing projects, consider exploring additional tips and ideas in books focused on home organization and simplifying your space.