Utilize Every Inch! Under Sink Cabinet Storage Ideas that Work
If your under-sink cabinet is a jumbled mess of half-used cleaning products, coils of plastic bags, and tools you haven't touched in years, you're not alone. This neglected space is an organizational nightmare for many homeowners. But with some strategic decluttering and a few clever storage solutions, you can transform it into a tidy, functional area that makes your kitchen run more smoothly.
Read on for tips to utilize every inch of your under-sink cabinet and make it work for you.
Take Inventory and Declutter
The first step to organize any space is to take a thorough inventory of what's currently in it. Clear everything out of the cabinet and take stock. You're likely to find expired products, extra bottles of cleaners you don't really need, tools that belong in the garage, and other items that don't need to be under your kitchen sink.
Be ruthless and discard or relocate anything you don't use on a regular basis. Look for duplicate items that can be consolidated into one. For example, if you have three bottles of multi-surface cleaner under your sink, keep just one and toss or give away the extras. Removing unnecessary items will clear out space for more practical storage solutions.
Measure Your Cabinet Space
Grab a tape measure and note the interior dimensions of your under-sink cabinet - the height, width, and depth. Take into account any existing shelves, drawers, or organizational units already in place. You'll also need to account for the space taken up by pipes, the garbage disposal, shut off valves and other fixed elements.
Knowing the size and layout of your space will allow you to find storage solutions that make the best use of the available real estate.
Utilize Vertical Space
Install Adjustable Shelving
If your cabinet came with shelves that are fixed in place, consider switching them out for adjustable shelving. This allows you to customize the positioning and height of shelves based on your storage needs.
Adjustable shelves are extremely useful if you need to fit bulky or oddly-shaped items that don't quite fit on a standard shelf. You can raise a shelf to accommodate taller bottles and boxes or create more vertical storage layers for a make the most of your space.
Add Tiered Organizers
Tiered organizers are a great way to take advantage of unused vertical storage space. The stacking levels allow you to effectively double your storage capacity compared to traditional shelving.
Look for durable, easy-to-clean plastic organizers that can handle the weight of jars, bottles, spray cans and other kitchen items without buckling. Tiered organizers are perfect for small items that can get lost in cabinets - sponges, scrub brushes, rubber gloves and more.
Mount Wall Storage
Take advantage of all the unused interior cabinet door space by installing wall storage solutions. Wall-mounted paper towel holders, racks, bins and shelves can provide a home for hand towels, sponges and cleaning tools.
A sturdy towel bar mounted to the inside of a cabinet door is a great way to hang dish towels for drying. Wall storage units like these add storage while keeping items visible and within easy reach.
Categorize with Storage Bins
One of the best ways to organize an under-sink cabinet is by using storage bins. Look for durable plastic bins in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate different types of items.
Group like items together - for example, all surface cleaners go in one bin, sponges and scrub brushes in another. Using bins allows you to neatly corral items that would otherwise be rolling around loose. Make sure to clearly label each bin so you can easily identify where things go.
Stackable bins are great space-savers since they allow you to make use of vertical storage. Just be mindful not to overload the bins at the bottom of the stack.
Optimize Cabinet Floor
Add a Lazy Susan
A Lazy Susan is a turntable set into a cabinet to provide easy access to items stored in the back. Installing one under your sink is an excellent way to effectively use floor space.
Items like spray bottles and cleaning products can be arranged around the Lazy Susan, while pipes and other immobile elements go through the center. Just a spin allows you to easily reach items pushed far back into the corner.
Install Pull-out Drawers
Replacing a standard cabinet door with pull-out drawers is one of the most efficient ways to maximize storage. Drawers provide complete visibility and access to the contents.
Use drawers to neatly store cleaning tools and supplies. Pull-out drawers are also great for housing small trash cans and recycling bins since they glide out for convenient, mess-free disposal.
Keep Frequently Used Items Accessible
Make sure to keep high-use items within easy reach. Mounting a paper towel holder, soap dispenser or sponge caddy on the cabinet door, wall or countertop edge near the sink ensures they'll always be handy when you need them.
Arrange dish soaps, sponges, brushes and cleaning towels on the most accessible shelf or in caddies mounted inside the door for grab-and-go convenience.
Periodically wiping down shelves, pruning unused products and keeping the area around pipes gunk-free will help preserve your organizational efforts.
Remember to assess if your needs have changed over time and make adjustments. You may need more or less space for certain items or new storage solutions. Re-evaluate to ensure your under-sink cabinet continues to work for you.
You can turn a messy under-sink cabinet into a functional space with a little work. Following these tips will help you utilize every inch and make it cleanly organized.