The space under a kitchen or bathroom sink is often one of the most wasted areas in a home, hidden behind a door and filled with an unorganised mix of cleaning products and odds and ends. A little structure makes a real difference to how usable it actually is.
What Is the Best Way to Organise Under-Sink Storage?
The best way to organise under-sink storage is to use stackable bins or a pull-out caddy to work around the pipework, add a tension rod to hang spray bottles, and use door-mounted racks to make use of otherwise wasted vertical space. Working with the awkward pipe shape rather than against it is the key to making this space genuinely usable.
Ideas for Under-Sink Storage
1. Pull-Out Drawers
A slide-out drawer system built around the pipework brings items to you rather than requiring you to reach into the back of a dark cabinet.
2. Stackable Bins
Clear or labelled stackable bins group similar items together and make use of vertical space more efficiently than loose items placed directly on the cabinet floor.
3. A Tension Rod for Spray Bottles
A simple tension rod fitted just below the sink lets you hang spray bottles by their trigger handles, freeing up floor space beneath for other storage.
4. Door-Mounted Racks
Adhesive or over-the-door racks fitted to the inside of the cabinet door make use of otherwise completely wasted space for smaller items like sponges, gloves, and brushes.
5. A Lazy Susan for Corner Space
A rotating lazy susan makes items at the back of the cabinet far easier to reach without needing to unpack everything in front of them first.
6. Command Hooks for Tools
Small adhesive hooks fitted inside the cabinet keep brushes, dustpans, and small tools off the cabinet floor and easy to grab.
7. A Tray to Catch Leaks
A simple plastic tray placed at the base of the cabinet protects against minor drips or leaks from bottles, keeping the cabinet floor cleaner and preventing damage underneath.
Keep Chemicals Safely Stored
If there are young children in the home, consider fitting a child-safe catch to the cabinet door, since under-sink cabinets commonly store cleaning chemicals that should be kept out of reach.
If you are tackling storage throughout the rest of the home too, our small bedroom storage ideas covers similar space-saving thinking for another room.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I organise around under-sink pipes?
Stackable bins and pull-out caddies designed to sit either side of the pipework make far better use of the space than trying to fit large, single containers around an awkward shape.
What is the best storage for cleaning supplies under a sink?
A combination of a tension rod for spray bottles and stackable bins for other supplies keeps everything organised and easy to find without digging through a jumbled cabinet.
How do I stop items under the sink getting damp?
A protective tray at the base of the cabinet catches minor leaks and drips, and keeping the cabinet slightly ventilated helps prevent dampness building up over time.
Is a lazy susan worth it for under-sink storage?
Yes, particularly for corner or deep cabinets, since it makes items at the back far easier to access without unpacking everything stored in front of them.
Should I childproof under-sink storage?
Yes, if young children are in the home. A simple child-safe catch on the cabinet door is a quick, inexpensive safety measure worth adding.
Always store cleaning chemicals and medicines securely, particularly in homes with young children or pets.
About the Author
Spire Homes Editorial Team researches and writes practical, UK focused home improvement guides covering renovation planning, financing, interior design, and furniture choices.
