If you’re anything like me, there’s always that one spot at home you avoid opening because you know the chaos inside is waiting to avalanche the moment the door moves. For many of us, that spot is right under the sink — whether it’s in the kitchen or bathroom.
It starts with good intentions… we store one cleaning item… one sponge… one bottle of floor cleaner… and suddenly it becomes a black hole of “Wait, when did I buy three packs of dishwasher pods?”
But good news: organising under sink storage is way easier than it looks, and once you do it, you’ll be shocked at how much space you actually had all along.
Let’s make it functional, neat, and aesthetically satisfying — without turning it into a complicated Pinterest project.
1. Try a Pull-Out Tray or Slide-Out Drawer
This one alone can change your life. Instead of leaning halfway inside the cupboard or removing every single thing at the front just to reach a bottle at the back, a pull-out tray lets items come to you.
No more digging, no more forgetting what’s hiding behind the pipes.
Tip: Measure the gap around the plumbing before buying one. Nothing hurts more than discovering your storage miracle doesn’t slide in because of the U-bend pipe.
You’ll suddenly realise you were wasting so much depth inside that cabinet without even knowing it.
2. Stack Up — Don’t Spread Out
Most under-sink areas have plenty of height, but everything gets tossed on the floor of the cabinet. That’s how mess builds. Use this wasted vertical space by adding:
- Tiered organisers
- Stackable bins
- Compact shelves
Instead of one jumbo mess, you now have cute little sections. Sprays and wipes on the top tier, dish capsules and sponges below… you get the idea.
Clear bins make it even easier to spot everything, even at a quick glance.
3. Use the Inside of the Cabinet Doors
Such an underrated storage zone! The inside of the cupboard door is golden space for items that need to stay within reach but not inside the chaos.
Try adding:
- Slim baskets
- Hooks for brushes or gloves
- Adhesive clips for rubber gloves, cloths or tiny tools
Suddenly, you’ve moved five or six loose items off the base and given them a designated home.
4. Group Items Into Small Categories
Here’s a secret: we don’t really have clutter — we have uncategorised things. The minute everything has a category, the mess disappears.
Try mini-sections like:
Put each category into a small waterproof container or bin, and label it if you like. No more confusion, no more double-buying because something got lost in the back.
5. Leave Space for the Plumbing (and Future Repairs!)
If you’ve ever had a leak under the sink, you know what comes next — your entire storage gets dumped on the floor so the plumber can reach the pipe.
So while organising, don’t fill every inch. Keep a breathing gap around the pipes and make sure organisers can be removed easily without unscrewing anything.
It’s a small idea that saves a big headache later.
The best part about organising under sink storage is that it doesn’t need fancy accessories or expensive tools. A few thoughtful adjustments can make the place feel as satisfying as a freshly cleaned pantry.
What changes make the biggest difference?
- Easy access
- Visibility
- Categorisation
Once those are in place, you’ll open that cupboard feeling proud instead of scared.
You don’t need a dream kitchen for smart storage — just a few clever tweaks that make your space work for you.
