The cabinet under the sink is the hardest one in the house. A pipe runs right through the middle. It is dark. And whatever goes in first disappears forever.
I used to just shove things in and close the door fast.
The trick is to stop fighting the pipe and work around it.
These 12 under sink storage ideas do exactly that, for kitchen and bathroom cabinets alike.
1Install a Pull Out Drawer System
A pull out drawer fixes the biggest under sink problem. No more kneeling and reaching blindly into the dark.
It slides forward on rails, so the stuff at the back comes right to you.
- No more blind reaching
- See everything
- Smooth gliding rails
My Pick
Under Sink Pull Out Drawer Organizer
Slides everything forward so you never reach blindly into the back again.
2Add a Bathroom Pull Out for Tight Spaces
Bathroom vanities are usually narrower than kitchen cabinets. A slim pull out fits where bigger units cannot.
Measure the space between the door frame and the pipe before you buy. Those few inches matter.
- Made for narrow vanities
- Easy access
- Neat and slim
My Pick
Bathroom Under Sink Pull Out Organizer
Slim enough for narrow vanity cabinets where kitchen sizes do not fit.
3Build with Drawer Slides for a Custom Fit
Sometimes a ready made organizer just will not fit around an odd pipe. That is when a custom drawer shines.
Drawer slides let you build a simple box that fits your exact cabinet. In my experience it is easier than it sounds.
- Fits any pipe layout
- Totally custom
- Smooth pull out
Project Card · 2 hours · Moderate
Materials Needed
- Drawer slide kit
- 1/2 inch plywood for the drawer box
- Wood glue and short screws
- Drill and saw
- Tape measure and pencil
How to Make It
- Measure the cabinet width, depth and the space beside the pipe.
- Cut a plywood base and four low sides to fit that space.
- Glue and screw the box together.
- Mount one slide to each side of the box and the matching parts to the cabinet floor or side panels.
- Slide the drawer in and test that it clears the pipe all the way out.
My Pick
Under Sink Drawer Slide Kit
Build a custom pull out around odd pipes with these sturdy slides.
4Use a Two Tier Cabinet Organizer
A two tier organizer doubles your space. Instead of one layer of bottles on the floor, you get two.
The open frame fits around the pipe, not into it. Put tall bottles below and small items on top.
- Doubles shelf space
- Fits around pipes
- Easy to set up
My Pick
Two Tier Under Sink Cabinet Organizer
Open frame fits around the pipe and doubles your shelf space.
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View the 30-Day Plan Printable PDF · Instant download5Add a Portable Caddy for Cleaning Supplies
A caddy with a handle travels with you. Clean the bathroom, then the kitchen, all with one grab.
It holds sprays, sponges and brushes upright, so nothing tips over in the cabinet.
- Carry room to room
- Nothing tips over
- Faster cleaning
My Pick
Under Sink Cleaning Caddy
Grab the handle and carry all your cleaning sprays room to room.
6Stack Shelves Around the Pipe
Stackable shelves let you build storage in stages. Add a tier when you need it.
Look for ones with a notch or gap for plumbing. You can rearrange them anytime.
- Build in stages
- Works around plumbing
- Easy to rearrange
My Pick
Stackable Under Sink Shelf
Add tiers as you need them, with a gap that works around plumbing.
7Try a Modular Bin Hack
Small, cheap modular bins are perfect under a sink. Buy several and arrange them right around the pipes.
Use small bins for loose things like sponges and taller ones for bottles. Nothing is fixed, so you can change it anytime.
- Very affordable
- Flexible layout
- Fits odd spaces
8Hang Items on the Cabinet Door
The back of the cabinet door sits empty in most homes. An organizer there adds real storage.
Gloves, sponges, trash bags and small bottles all fit. Just check that the door still closes over the pipes.
- Uses empty space
- Light items stay handy
- No tools needed
My Pick
Cabinet Door Organizer
Turns the back of the cabinet door into storage for sponges, gloves and bags.
9Keep Bathroom Items Sorted by Category
Bathroom cabinets collect everything. Hair products, skincare, cleaners and spare toiletries all fight for space.
Sort into labeled bins by category. Even two or three bins make a big difference.
- Find things fast
- Less clutter
- Easy restocking
Project Card · 45 minutes · Easy
Materials Needed
- 3 or 4 clear bins
- Labels
- A trash bag for expired products
How to Make It
- Empty the whole cabinet onto a towel.
- Toss anything expired, empty or unused for a year.
- Sort what is left into groups like hair, skin, cleaning and spares.
- Put each group into its own bin and label it.
- Put daily items in front and spares in the back.
10Add a Lazy Susan for Hard to Reach Corners
A turntable solves the reach problem in deep cabinets. Spin, and the back bottle is now in front.
It works great on either side of the pipe. Pick one with a raised edge so bottles stay on.
- Reach the back easily
- Spin and grab
- Great for deep cabinets
My Pick
Lazy Susan Turntable for Cabinets
One spin brings the bottle in the back corner right to the front.
11Mount a Tension Rod for Hanging Sprays
Put a tension rod across the cabinet just below the sink basin. Hang spray bottles by their triggers.
The whole cabinet floor opens up. It takes five minutes and costs very little.
- Five minute fix
- Frees the floor
- No drilling
My Pick
Cabinet Tension Rods
Hang spray bottles by their triggers and free up the whole cabinet floor.
12Use Clear Bins for Visibility in a Dark Cabinet
Under sink cabinets are dark. Opaque bins mean pulling each one out to check what is inside.
Clear bins solve that. Lay a non slip shelf liner first to catch drips and keep everything from sliding.
- See inside instantly
- Protects the cabinet
- Bins stay in place
Project Card · 30 minutes · Easy
Materials Needed
- Clear storage bins
- Non slip shelf liner
- Scissors and tape measure
- Labels
How to Make It
- Empty the cabinet and wipe it dry.
- Measure and cut the liner to fit the cabinet floor.
- Lay the liner flat, trimming around the pipe.
- Fill the bins by type and label the front of each.
- Place bins around the pipe, leaving the shutoff valves easy to reach.
PRO TIP Keep a small leak alarm or a dry paper towel at the back of the cabinet. If it is ever wet, you will catch a slow leak early. And if you have little kids, add a childproof latch for cleaning products.
My Pick
Clear Storage Bins with Lids
See every item in a dark cabinet without pulling anything out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I organize under the sink with pipes in the way?
Use organizers with open frames or pipe gaps, like two tier units, stackable shelves and pull outs built for under sink use.
What should you not store under the kitchen sink?
Avoid food, paper goods that can get damp and anything that reacts to moisture. Keep cleaning products up high or latched if kids are around.
How do I protect the cabinet floor from leaks?
Lay a waterproof or non slip shelf liner and check it regularly for any dampness.
What is the best under sink organizer for a bathroom?
A slim pull out organizer fits narrow vanities best, paired with a few clear bins.
Final Thoughts on Under Sink Storage
Under sink storage is all about working with the pipe, not against it. Pull outs, tiers and clear bins solve almost every problem.
Start with one pull out or a two tier organizer, add a liner, and keep the shutoff valves clear. That small cabinet will finally make sense.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.