10 Lifesaving Under Sink Storage Ideas

When it comes to your kitchen, the cupboard underneath your sink can be one of the trickiest and aggravating places to remain tidy. This is due to the inconvenient sink bottom and pipes taking up a large amount of the space, and working around that can feel like a never-ending problem. However, with the right storage solutions, you can transform this space into a well-organised and functional space. Whatever size space you’ve got underneath your sink, we’ve got ideas that will keep your cleaning supplies and other essentials in order and easy to grab.

1.    What Have You Got?

A good starting point when it comes to organising any space is to write down what will be stored there. This allows you to see everything on paper, group certain items together, and gain a fair understanding of what you might need to get. Some items may need to be kept apart or in sealed containers for health and safety reasons, so that’s another important factor to consider. You should also take a look and potentially measure the amount of space you have to work with, as you could find yourself spending lots of money on items that don’t fit. 

2.    Pull-out Drawers

An excellent way of being able to clearly see what items you have at your disposal, pull-out drawers are an incredibly smart addition to your cupboard. This is particularly ideal for under the sink cupboards that go deep, but it will also be incredibly helpful for those who aren’t the most mobile. Instead of having to go half in the cupboard or on all fours to retrieve a certain item, you can simply pull the drawer out and pick the product you need. These can be easily installed in your cupboard and make life a whole lot easier when it comes to cleaning or other day-to-day jobs.

3.    Baskets and Trays

There is a plethora of items out there designed for storage, and choosing the best one for your space can massively help with your organisation. Having a plastic basket for all your cleaning items is a smart idea, as you can easily pull it out and pick out exactly what you need. Trays work similarly but are better suited to smaller items such as sponges and scrubbers. You can get stackable wire baskets and trays that will allow for more space-saving storage potential. 

4.    Label

It’s all well and good having your items stored neatly in compartments under your sink but labelling these areas will make your life that bit easier. This only really works if you sort your items into specific categories to which you can attach a specific label to. This instantly tells you what goes where and helps you find items quickly. There are plenty of ways you can do this, such as writing on with a marker, getting vinyl stickers printed off, and clear plastic holders. Each option works perfectly well, with the best option depending on the type of storage items you have as well as preference. 

5.    Shelves

If your cupboard under the sink is without a single shelf, it could become difficult to cram everything all on one level. A simple to combat this is to install a shelf that can not only hold a range of items but also divide up your items. One of the most important aspects to consider when doing this is at what height you place the shelf. Having a good idea of what you want to be placed on this new shelf and what will remain below, you’ll be able to gauge the optimum position for it. If you want maximum storage potential, then attaching a shelving unit that sits underneath your shelf can help you to fit all your items in.

6.    Hooks

An excellent way of adding storage without taking up any floor space, hooks are a superb option for a range of items in your kitchen. The quantity you have is completely up to you, with tea towels, certain types of scrubbers, and other hangable items working terrifically, leaving space for bulkier items. Choosing hoods with removable, self-adhesive backing will prevent damage to your cupboard doors. If you want to get super innovative with this idea, attaching items onto unused shower curtain hooks that then sit on a rod is an incredibly smart and savvy way of going about it.

7.    Wall-mount

Following on from the idea of hooks, utilising the back of the door and other walls is a wonderful way of getting the absolute most from what space you have. This can be via baskets, shelves, or bars, and how much you require is down to a combination of your space size and how much you want to store away there. The specific type of wall-mounted storage is entirely up to you and what works best for your specific items. If you’re going to be using the back of the cupboard door, it is wise to select items that you regularly use to make your life more convenient. 

8.    Vertical Dividers

Whilst under the sink is primarily used for cleaning equipment, this doesn’t have to be its sole use. If you have the space for it, installing vertical shelves is a clever way of storing baking trays, chopping boards and wire racks. These items can all be frustrating when stored on top of each other, as you have to go searching for the specific one you want, making a racket in the meantime. This idea combats that and helps you have an organised, functional kitchen space.

9.    Light It Up

Installing lights in your under-sink cabinet will allow you to effectively see everything that you have at your disposal, regardless of the time of day. Irrespective of the type of lighting you have in your kitchen, it is unlikely that you’ll be able to see all your items as clearly as you could with the addition of lights inside your cupboard. It is a good idea to use small LED lights that can be easily turned on and off, as they will last for a long time and be energy efficient.

10.    Turntables

Also known as a lazy Susan, this often involves a circular divider that can spin around and present different items depending on what you need at that specific time. This can be incredibly handy as you don’t have to remove a whole basket to find what you need. You can split your turntable into categories, which you can then label for extra neatness. This can be used for a wide range of items, but it might be useful to ensure your products can stay standing and inside when in use; otherwise, it could lead to more headaches.

Conclusion

Despite it being a notoriously tricky area of your kitchen to get right, it only requires a little time and ingenuity to figure out how you get the most out of this space. There are many ways that you can maximise its potential and by choosing the best methods for you, you can declutter and make life easier when it comes to cleaning. Regardless of the size of cabinet you have under your sink, taking the time to assess your storage needs and choose the right solutions helps maintain an organised, functional, and streamlined kitchen.