5 Tips for Under the Sink Organization and Storage

Vanity Twig Hutchinson's London Bedroom and Bathroom, Photo by Sarah Maingot

The space under my bathroom sink was a chaotic mess and a source of longstanding guilt for me. But every time I set out to conquer it, I felt overwhelmed and would quit before any progress was made. Finally, to streamline the process, I mapped out five ways to tackle the beast. My method worked—and I can now report, it’s a simple and affordable way to maximize hidden space. Here’s my five-step plan.

Photography by Dalilah Arja, unless otherwise noted.

Above: A place for everything: My newly tamed under-the-sink cabinet has more storage, and I can put my finger on whatever I’m looking for.

1. Pare down.

Every organization project begins with clutter removal: Part with the stuff you don’t use anymore and products that have expired. I was amazed to discover that after doing some editing, the number of things I had to organize was actually quite manageable.

2. Eliminate packaging.

Remove cotton balls, toilet paper, Q-tips, etc., from their plastic and cardboard and give them dedicated jars and baskets.

Above: My cotton balls are compactly stowed in a Le Parfait Glass Terrine Wide Mouth Canning Jar; the Container Store has a range of sizes, starting at $8.99 each. See 7 Favorites: Classic Canning Jars for more options.

3. Utilize the vertical space.

Invest in a shelf or pair of stackable bins to maximize the airspace in your cabinet. And install hooks on an inside door or wall to hang things, such as a blow dryer and washcloth. Searching for the perfect hook? Peruse the Hooks in our Shop section.

Above: Since I’m a renter, I’m hesitant to install permanent shelving. A good temporary solution is a freestanding design, such as this wire stacking shelf; try the Container Store’s Tall Chrome Cupboard Shelf for a similar product; $18.99.

4. Bring back the lazy Susan.

We’re not big fans of 1970s-style rotating circles on dinner tables, but for cabinets, they’re invaluable. They make it possible to access items that would otherwise be stuck in the far back.

Above: In my search for a Lazy Susan, I discovered that the majority are made of either wood or plastic. I wanted to keep plastic to a minimum in my bath, and I worried that wood would be impractical (think leaking pipes), so I turned to Etsy and found some good alternatives, like this Concrete Lazy Susan Turntable; $95 on Etsy.

5. Consider hierarchy.

Organize under-the-sink products by how often you use them: Place high traffic items near the front within arm’s reach and less frequently needed goods in the back.