The space under your kitchen sink has a talent for getting out of hand without you noticing. One day, it only contains a couple of bottles and a sponge, and the next, it’s full of half-used cleaners, damp cloths, and at least one item you don’t remember buying.
It’s dark, small, and usually home to pipes that seem determined to get in the way. But with a bit of thought, it can actually become one of the most useful storage spots in your kitchen.
Want to know how you can make that happen? Let’s dive in.
1. Declutter First
Before you even think about buying fancy organisers, you should sift through the piles of products hiding under your sink and get rid of the ones you don’t need.
So, remove everything lodged in there, and lay it all out where you can actually see it. You’ll spot duplicates you didn’t know existed, cleaners from your last flat, and products so old they might qualify for historical preservation.
Next, sort the items into three piles: keep, bin, and donate. If you’ve got four bottles of the same surface spray or a sponge that’s seen some things, it’s time to let go.
Once you’ve cleared the space, wipe down all surfaces before putting back your products.
However, if the build-up is out of hand or you’re pressed for time, it’s a good idea to bring in apartment cleaning services to take care of this step. This way, you can start reorganising right away.
2. Add a Lazy Susan
Adding a lazy Susan under your sink might sound overly simple, but it is one of the easiest ways to make the space work better. While it is usually associated with dining tables or spice cupboards, this rotating tray is surprisingly effective in an under-sink cabinet.
Instead of reaching past pipes or knocking over bottles to get to something at the back, you can simply give the tray a spin and bring everything into view.
Lazy Susans are also particularly useful in corner cabinets, which are common in UK kitchens and notoriously difficult to access.
Because the space curves away from you, items tend to disappear into the back and get forgotten. But with one quick rotation, everything will be visible and reachable.
3. Install a Tension Rod
This is one of those simple ideas that feels oddly clever once you see it in action. By placing a tension rod across the width of your under-sink cabinet, you’ll instantly create extra storage without adding shelves or drilling holes.
You can hang your spray bottles neatly by their triggers along the rod, keeping them upright and easy to spot. This will free up valuable space at the bottom of the cupboard, which you can then use for heavier items or storage bins.
The best part is how little effort it takes to set up. A tension rod is inexpensive, adjustable, and can be installed in seconds.
Once everything is hanging in front of you, grabbing the cleaner you need will become much quicker, and you won’t have to shuffle bottles around just to reach one at the back.
4. Switch to Clear Containers
Opaque containers make it far too easy for items to be forgotten.
Just think about it. When you cannot see what is inside, you’re more likely to buy duplicates simply because you aren’t sure whether you already have spare sponges or extra cloths.
Clear containers solve this problem by letting you see everything at a glance. With these storage solutions, you won’t have to open lids or dig through boxes.
Not to mention, you’ll avoid those surprise discoveries that usually happen months later when something resurfaces.
They also make the whole space look more cohesive and less like a jumble sale exploded inside. It’s a small visual upgrade that makes a surprising difference to how your cabinet feels when you open it.
5. Group Items with Stackable Bins
Stackable bins are your secret weapon against the avalanche effect, where you pull one thing out, and seventeen others come tumbling after it.
Sorting your supplies by category works particularly well here. You can use one bin for dishwashing products, another for all-purpose cleaners, and a separate one for cloths and sponges.
If you like, you can also label the bins, but even without labels, the system is easy to remember once it’s set up.
Stackable bins are especially effective because they allow you to use vertical space instead of spreading everything across the bottom of your cabinet. So, they’ll help you make the most of the cupboard’s height and keep the space organised long-term.
6. Make Use of Your Cabinet Doors
The back of your cabinet door is valuable storage space that often goes completely unused.
Instead of leaving it bare, mount a small rack or basket there for frequently grabbed items, like sponges, brushes, or bin bags. And if you’re renting and can’t drill holes, adhesive hooks work brilliantly.
This way, you can keep your everyday essentials handy without cluttering the main storage area. It can feel like gaining extra storage without changing the size of the cabinet itself.
Just make sure that anything you attach allows the door to close properly. Items that are too bulky or poorly placed can stop the door from shutting.
7. Upgrade to Sliding Shelves
If you’ve got a bit of budget to spare, sliding shelves are worth every penny. They can mean the difference between finding everything you need in less than five seconds and crawling around on your knees, muttering under your breath.
Pull-out shelves let you access everything at the back without performing gymnastics or dislocating a shoulder.
This is particularly useful if your sink pipes take up half the cabinet and limit how much room you can use effectively.
Yes, they’re an investment, but considering how often you use that space, the extra convenience quickly pays off.
8. Move Bulk Items Elsewhere
Buying in bulk saves money, but trying to cram everything under your sink is a recipe for disaster. That cupboard fills up fast, and once it’s overstuffed, it’ll become harder to see what you have, let alone reach it without knocking things over.
So, here’s a smarter technique: keep one of each product under the sink, and store the extras somewhere else.
Your utility cupboard, garage, or even under the stairs are better homes for backup supplies. This way, you’ll keep your under-sink area manageable and actually usable.
When something runs out, you can replace it with a spare without having to rearrange your entire cupboard.
9. Prioritise Everyday Essentials
This tip is all about working with your habits rather than against them.
The items you use daily, such as washing-up liquid, sponges, and bin bags, should sit at the front of your cupboard where you can reach them immediately.
As for everything else, you can move it further back or higher up. Products you use occasionally, like silver polish or specialist cleaners, don’t need to take up easy-access space and should be stored out of the way.
Every few weeks, do a quick audit. If you haven’t touched something in the front zone recently, move it back and replace it with something you reach for more often.
10. Set Up a Cleaning Caddy
A portable cleaning caddy might just be the game-changer you didn’t know you needed. Fill it with your most-used supplies, and you’ll have a grab-and-go cleaning kit you can use across your home.
Choose a caddy with a handle and open compartments so everything stays visible, and avoid overfilling it. If it gets heavy or cluttered, it’ll stop being useful and end up abandoned.
Keep the caddy on the floor of the cupboard or on a low shelf so it can be lifted out in one motion.
Once you are finished, put everything straight back into the caddy instead of returning the items one by one. This will keep your supplies grouped and prevent them from drifting into random spots under your sink.
Conclusion
You don’t need matching containers or a full afternoon to get this right. With our hacks, you can turn that black hole of cleaning supplies into a functional space where everything has its place.
So, pick just one and get started. You’ll be glad the next time you open that door without bracing for impact.
