I’m not going to lie, the space under my kitchen or bathroom sink used to be a straight-up disaster zone. It was a dark, damp cave of half-used cleaning bottles, spare rolls of garbage bags, and that one mysterious sponge that appeared out of nowhere. Every time I reached in, I felt like I was spelunking, inevitably knocking over a bottle of glass cleaner and starting an avalanche. Sound familiar? That chaotic, frustrating under sink storage cabinet is a universal struggle. We all have one, and for some reason, it feels impossible to keep tidy.
I’m here to tell you to ditch the shame and the overflowing cabinets. I’ve spent years perfecting the art of small-space organization—mostly because my own apartment makes a shoebox look spacious—and I’ve unlocked the secrets to conquering this cluttered beast. I promise you this: you can transform that neglected, pipe-filled void into a highly functional, dare I say, beautiful storage spot.
In this friendly, no-fluff guide, you’ll find 17 under sink storage ideas that are so clever, practical, and Pinterest-approved, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try them sooner. We’re talking about maximizing every single inch, from the back corners to the cabinet doors. Get ready to banish the clutter forever!
Seriously, if you find a few things you love, do yourself a favor and pin or bookmark this page right now! You’ll want to save these brilliant solutions for your next weekend project.
High-Impact Under Sink Organization Ideas
Let’s kick things off with the heavy hitters—the solutions that deliver the biggest wow factor and consistently rack up the most saves and shares online. If you’re looking for maximum impact with minimum effort, start here.
1. Cabinet Door Organizers (Caddies, Hooks & Baskets)
Ignoring the back of the door is like ignoring free real estate! And I think we can both agree that paying rent is stressful enough without ignoring perfectly good storage space, right? Cabinet door organizer systems are the unsung heroes of under sink organization. You can find them in a ton of styles, from shallow wire baskets that hang over the door to adhesive caddies that stick right onto the inside panel.
- Best for: Flat items like sponges, scrub brushes, dusters, or small hand towels.
- The Power Move: Use a plastic caddy with a handle for grab-and-go cleaning supplies. That way, when you need to clean the bathroom, you just yank the caddy off the door and you’re good to go—no digging around required.
Hack: Install a cabinet door organizer just deep enough to hold a box of garbage bags or a roll of liners. This frees up precious space on the cabinet floor and keeps the bags where you need them most.
2. Pull-Out Drawers & Sliding Trays
If you only buy one thing from this list, make it this. Trust me. The biggest frustration with any deep cabinet is the inability to see or reach anything that gets pushed to the back. Enter pull-out under sink storage systems. These are essentially drawers or trays on sliding rails that you attach to the floor of your cabinet.
They come in various widths and depths, and many are specifically designed with a cut-out in the back to accommodate plumbing pipes. Seriously, I once wrestled with a regular shelf for an hour trying to work around a P-trap—never again! The smooth action of a sliding under sink organizer brings everything to you, meaning you can stop being a contortionist just to grab the tile cleaner.
Hack: Use the top-tier pull-out under sink storage for your most-used items (like dish soap or dishwasher pods) and the bottom tray for backstock or less-frequent use items.
3. Tiered Shelving & Risers for Extra Levels
Pipes. They are the bane of my organizational existence, but they don’t have to ruin everything. The space above the pipes is often completely wasted. Tiered under sink shelves and under sink risers are designed to utilize the vertical space around the plumbing.
These adjustable, multi-level units essentially create a second, or even third, floor in your cabinet. They look a bit like mini bleachers for your bottles and jars. By raising the back row of items, you can see everything without having to take out the front row first.
Hack: Use a single, sturdy riser shelf to create a dedicated “back stock” zone underneath it, allowing you to double-stack bottles without them toppling over.
Group A — Pull-Out & Slide Systems (Making Life Easy)
These ideas are all about maximizing accessibility. No one should have to get on their hands and knees and contort their body to find a spare sponge.
4. Rolling or Sliding Baskets for Easy Access
For an even simpler, non-permanent solution than the heavy-duty rail systems, try under sink sliding baskets or bins that have small wheels on the bottom. These rolling under sink storage options are perfect if you’re renting and can’t install anything or if you just prefer to keep things simple. They roll right out and you can grab them, clean what you need to, and roll them back in.
5. Soft-Close Slides for Under Sink Storage
Okay, this might seem extra, but hear me out. If you’re upgrading to a pull-out under sink storage system, spend a few extra bucks for one with soft-close under sink drawers. There’s nothing more satisfying than the quiet thud of a drawer gently closing itself. It just makes the whole space feel more adult and, frankly, keeps your organization system from flying off the rails when you’re in a hurry.
6. Expandable Under Sink Organizers (Adjustable for Plumbing)
This is a game-changer for anyone whose pipes are positioned in a weird, non-standard way (which is everyone, IMO). The beauty of an expandable under sink organizer is its fully adjustable under sink storage frame. The horizontal bars slide out or in, allowing you to perfectly fit it into your cabinet’s width and around any tricky pipes or disposal units. This is the solution that officially says, “Take that, plumbing!”
Hack: Many adjustable organizers come with plastic liners or inserts. Use one of these liners on the top shelf to create a flat surface for smaller items that might otherwise tip or fall through the wire frame.
Group B — Vertical & Tiered Storage (The Tower Builders)
When you can’t go wider, you go up. Vertical storage is how tiny apartments survive, and it’s essential for a productive under sink organizer.
7. Under-Sink Shelf Inserts & Riser Shelves
Don’t overthink this one. Sometimes all you need is a simple, sturdy under sink shelf organizer. These are usually U-shaped or have adjustable legs to straddle any pipes. They instantly create a second level, giving you twice the storage volume for the exact same footprint.
8. Stackable Bins & Clear Containers for Visibility
If you want your under sink storage to look like it belongs in a magazine, switch to stackable under sink bins and clear storage containers under sink. The clear plastic allows you to see the contents instantly (no more guessing which cleaning bottle is full). And stacking them lets you utilize that vertical space.
- Pro Tip: I use a large, clear bin for my microfiber cloths and a smaller, clear one for rubber gloves and sponges. Since they’re uniform, they look tidy even when full.
Hack: Use clear under sink storage bins without lids. Lids add a step to the process, which encourages laziness (we all do it!), but lidless bins make it easy to drop items in and keep the system functional.
Group C — Door & Wall Mount Solutions (Using Every Surface)
We’ve talked about the door, but don’t forget the cabinet walls! These surfaces are often prime real estate for slender, frequently-used items.
9. Adhesive Racks or Hooks on Side Walls
For those skinny sections of the cabinet wall that flank the sink basin, try under sink adhesive hooks or small shelves. These are perfect for keeping things off the floor and easily accessible.
- Think small: A few adhesive hooks are ideal for hanging dust brushes, small scrubbers, or even the loop on the end of a mop handle.
10. Over-the-Door Grab-and-Go Storage
This is different from the door caddy. Over the door under sink storage usually refers to a slender, tiered organizer that hooks over the top edge of the cabinet door. Since they hang, they don’t require any drilling or sticking, which is great for renters. Just make sure the door still closes properly once you load it up!
Hack: Place a small plastic cutting board or piece of cardboard between the wire rack and the wooden cabinet door panel to prevent the wire from scratching the paint every time you open or close the door.
Group D — Creative, DIY & Specialty Hacks (The Fun Stuff)
Ready to get a little creative? These ideas are proof that organization doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—sometimes the simplest hacks are the best.
11. Woven Baskets for a Stylish, Pinterest-Worthy Look
Let’s talk aesthetics. While clear plastic is great for function, there’s just something about woven under sink baskets that elevates the whole vibe. If you have open shelving or you keep your cabinet doors open often, switching to aesthetic under sink organization with natural materials like rattan or seagrass instantly makes the space feel cohesive and thoughtful.
12. Custom-Fitted Under Sink Organizers (Tailored Kits or DIY Builds)
If your cabinet is an odd size or shape, you may need a custom under sink organizer. You can find modular kits that let you snap pieces together to build a unit that perfectly fits your specific pipe layout. It’s like adult Legos, but instead of a spaceship, you get a clean cabinet. Worth it.
13. Lazy Susan Turntables Under the Sink
This is another favorite of mine, especially in the kitchen. A lazy susan under sink storage turntable solves the same problem as a pull-out drawer, but with a different motion. Stick one or two rotating under sink organizer units in the corner, and spin to find that bottle of furniture polish that always seems to hide behind the dog shampoo.
14. Tension Rod + Hanging Baskets for Spray Bottles
This is the quintessential tension rod under sink hack. All you need is a spring-loaded tension rod that fits across the width of your cabinet. Place the rod under the sink, running from left to right wall, and hang all your spray bottles (Windex, multisurface, etc.) by their spray nozzle handles. This brilliant hanging spray bottle storage trick frees up the entire cabinet floor!
15. Stackable Drawers or Modular Units
Think of these like the small plastic drawers you use for office supplies, but sized for cleaning products. Stackable under sink drawers are fantastic for corralling small, loose items like sponges, gloves, steel wool, or even extra batteries. Since they’re modular, you can arrange them perfectly to fit around your plumbing.
16. Magnetic Strips & Small Bins Mounted to Sides
For small metal items or even small, thin cleaning brushes, mount a simple magnetic under sink storage strip to the inside of the cabinet wall. This is a very niche solution, but it’s brilliant for keeping tiny tools from getting lost in the abyss. You can also use magnetic spice tins or small bins that adhere to the side walls for those easily-lost objects.
17. PVC Pipe Dividers (DIY for Hair Tools & Cleaning Supplies)
Need a quick and dirty (but effective!) DIY under sink organizer for your bathroom? Grab a few pieces of wide PVC pipe from the hardware store, cut them to the depth of your cabinet, and lay them down or stand them up. This simple PVC under sink storage hack is amazing for corralling hair tools (curling irons, brushes) or standing tall bottles of cleaning solution upright so they don’t tip over.
Hack: For a truly effective DIY project, use a piece of foam board and hot glue to create custom-sized dividers inside a large bin. This makes a perfect spot for those awkwardly-shaped bottles.
Bonus Tips & Best Practices for Next-Level Organization
You have the tools; now you need the strategy. Organization isn’t just about buying stuff; it’s about setting up a system you can actually maintain.
Declutter Like a Boss
Before you buy a single organizer, take everything out. I mean everything. This is the moment to get rid of the dried-up grout cleaner, the empty bottle of floor wax you’ve been “saving,” and anything you haven’t touched in six months. Decluttering first is the essential under sink organization hacks step. Don’t waste valuable real estate storing trash.
Label Everything (Seriously)
Labeling is crucial for maintaining an organized under sink storage system. You don’t need a fancy machine; a sharpie on a piece of painter’s tape works fine. But seeing “Extra Sponges,” “Dishwasher Pods,” or “Gloves” instantly tells you where things go and, more importantly, where they belong after you use them. This is the difference between a tidy cabinet and a disaster waiting to happen.
Stick to Clear Containers
While woven baskets are beautiful, using clear under sink storage bins makes the most sense from a functional standpoint. When you can see the contents, you know exactly when you’re running low on something. This prevents those frustrating moments when you think you have a spare bottle of multi-surface cleaner, only to realize you ran out last week.
Style Counts
Even if no one sees it, an organized space just feels better. Try to use bins and containers that share a consistent color palette—even if it’s just all white or all gray plastic. This visual consistency is what makes those Instagram and Pinterest cabinets look so satisfying. It fools your brain into thinking the space is tidier than it probably is.
Closing Thoughts
So, there you have it—17 simple, budget-friendly, and downright genius solutions to conquer the chaos under your sink. Even the smallest, pipe-filled cabinet can become a highly functional, well-designed storage unit with the right under sink organizer. The key isn’t perfection; it’s about making sure every item has a dedicated, easy-to-reach spot.
My best advice? Don’t try to tackle all 17 ideas at once. Start with one or two high-impact solutions, like a pull-out drawer or a set of cabinet door organizers. Once you see the immediate improvement, you’ll be hooked! Now go forth and create the under-sink haven you deserve. And FYI, you definitely have an excuse to buy some new cleaning supplies to fill your newly organized space.
You know the drill! Send this guide to a friend who is currently living the under-sink avalanche life.
