The space under your kitchen sink may not be very big, but we are sure it is one of the most overlooked and undervalued storage spaces in your home.
Just because you have a winding pipe running through space doesn’t mean you need to treat it like a junk drawer.
You probably don’t have time to think about utilizing this space, but you should make time – starting today!
In this blog, we will share some simple organizational strategies to transform your under-kitchen-sink space and make it functional!
Step-By-Step Guide to Organize Area Under Kitchen Sink
The spaces under our kitchen sinks are usually dark, cramped, and smelly, but they don’t have to be.
You don’t have to struggle with exposed winding pipes and garbage disposal anymore.
Here is a super easy nine-step process of organizing the area under your sink and prevent it from looking like a junk drawer.
You’ll get the job done in no time if you follow these steps.
Let’s get started!
Step # 1: Empty Everything Out and Clean
The first step is to empty your under-sink space entirely before you proceed.
We recommend everyone follow this step as it will allow you to really see everything in there.
Cleaning everything out of the space will give you a chance to give it a deep clean.
It will provide you with a fresh perspective regarding various layout options and organization hacks to optimize storage.
Cleaning the space under your kitchen sink also allows greater accessibility.
It makes your cupboard spotless before you can begin the organization process.
To clean your cupboard, take everything out and vacuum out any crumbs. Wipe the entire space down using a soft cloth and a suitable surface cleaner.
Step # 2: Declutter and Sort
From all items you have taken out of the cupboard, decide what you need to keep and what you need to toss away.
We suggest you toss anything that is leaking, expired, empty, or worn out, such as old and damaged sponges.
Get rid of old cleaning supplies that you don’t use or need.
When you go shopping, try to purchase multi-purpose cleaning supplies instead of buying a different item for everything in the kitchen.
Once you have selected what you want to keep, start to group similar items together.
This will give you an idea of items you need for storage, such as caddies and rods.
Step # 3: Lay Down Lining
When your cupboard is clean and dry, move to step # 3 that is lining your space.
Lining the cupboard will allow easy cleaning and regular maintenance.
Cover the bottom of the cupboard with an easily wipe-able liner that can resist leaks and spills.
Trust us when we tell you that cleaning up a wipe-able liner is a breeze!
If you wish to add extra protection to the floor of your cupboard or cover up its rough shape, you can line it with a shelf liner.
Make sure that you purchase a wipe-able shelf liner too!
From our experience, we can tell you that wipe-able padded, fabric-top liners are the best option for when you want to line your under-sink area.
Step # 4: Install a Light
This step is totally optional, but if your under-sink space is very dark, we suggest you not skip it.
We suggest adding a light to your under-sink area so you don’t have to fumble around when searching for cleaning supplies or scrubs.
Add a motion sensor light to the space. It is a great way to brighten up the area.
It will allow you to clearly see what you are or retrieving or storing in the cupboard.
Step # 5: Measure Space Under the Kitchen Sink
Before you proceed to step # 5 and choose your organizers, you must measure the space under your kitchen sink.
By doing this, you’ll know exactly how much space you have.
Measure left, right, up, down, and below any obstructions such as winding pipes. Then, use these measurements as your storage boundaries.
It would be best to store anything you cannot fit in these storage boundaries elsewhere in your home.
Step # 6: Choose Your Organizers Wisely
One of the biggest challenges that arise when it comes to organizing under the kitchen sink is selecting organizers that you can easily fit around your pipes, especially if you have a garbage disposal!
Before you head to your favorite container store to grab under-sink organizers, consider the amount of space you have available across all three dimensions (length, width, and height).
Choose organizers that will allow easy access to items that you store in the cupboard. If you store things at the back and cannot reach them, you most likely won’t use them!
Here are some popular under-sink organizers that we recommend you add to your shopping list:
Rods
Rods are a popular and an all-time favorite storage trick.
For easy storage, you can hang a tension rod across your cupboard for all your bottles. Suspend the bottles by their triggers.
This will keep them elevated and easily free up space below for more items!
Any high-quality tension rod will do the trick, but if you have many bottles or heavy bottles, we suggest choosing a screw-mounted one.
Stackable Storage
To make further use of the space, you can add stackable organizers such as bins, drawers, and sliding shelves. They are perfect for loose pieces and smaller items.
If you are buying stackable storage organizers, we suggest you buy see-through ones. They provide easier access as they are clear and provide a seamless look.
You can make the most out of your under-sink space by taking advantage of vertical stackables.
They will ensure that you never lose track of your essential items like sponges and cotton balls.
U-Shaped Pull-Out Under Sink Organizer
If you only have space for one tier, we suggest adding a pull-out organizer shaped like a U to make room for the winding pipes.
The best part about pull-out organizers is that you don’t have to worry if you don’t have a light under your sink!
You can pull the organizer out from the dark space and then retrieve the item you need.
Clear acrylic or metal pull-out organizers are perfect for most under-sink spaces. You can even add more than one if you have enough space.
Rolling Under-Skink Caddy
If you want a small organizer for your small space, try a sleek caddy.
Caddies can easily be rolled out on their rear wheels, making it easy for you to grab things stored at the back of the cupboard.
Portable caddies are best for storing cleaning supplies, so you can easily take them with you when you need to clean other areas of the house.
Extra tip: Arrange for your caddy to hold a spray water bottle, microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaner, a spray bottle of 50:50 water and vinegar mixture, scrub brushes, dish soap, and cleaning toothbrushes.
Step # 7: Utilize the Door
If you are doubtful about organizing your under-sink space, hang it up!
Utilizing the door space is ideal if you have limited surface space under your kitchen sink.
We suggest hanging small baskets on the inside of the door to store sponges, hooks, cleaning brushes, or gloves.
Door organizers are also perfect for storing plastic grocery bags and other accessories.
A big advantage of utilizing the door is that you can instantly see everything you own when you open the cupboard!
Step # 8: Add Labels
Yes, it can be quite difficult to look for items in a dark and cramped space. This is why we suggest adding labels to everything you store under your kitchen sink!
Whether you store your cleaning supplies in spray bottles or pour-out containers, just make sure you label them clearly!
We suggest using paper tape and a black Sharpie marker to get the job done.
Step # 9: Store Cleaning Cloths Close to the Sink
If you store all your cleaning cloths in other places in your home, there’s no use storing your spray bottles in the kitchen.
It will help if you store your cleaning clothes in a drawer close to the under-sink space in your kitchen.
You can use drawer dividers to separate the clothes by function – dishcloths, cleaning cloths, drying towels, etc.
This will make it easy for you to get what you need when you need it and put it back when you are finished.
Final Thoughts
Organizing under your kitchen sink is about finding creative ways to efficiently utilize the dark and cramped storage space.
We hope that our genius guide on how to organize under the kitchen sink changes your life and makes organization a whole lot easier for you.
The last thing you should do is use the under your sink as a dumping ground.
Do not let valuable space go to waste. Follow this organizational guide, and you will stay on the right track!
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