How to Organize Under Your Bathroom Sink

Everyday life would be incomplete without the storage under your bathroom sink. Things like hair products, half-empty bottles, and who knows what else can quickly fill up the small cabinet under the sink. It can make a huge difference to find good storage options in small rooms like bathrooms, especially for the space under the sink. In addition to making areas less cluttered, it also makes your bathroom more useful overall. Come with me as I talk about some smart ways to make the space under your sink neat and useful.

under basin storage bathroom — Image credit: @JamesBrey

Clean It Out

Start anew! Completely empty the under-sink area. You might find things that don’t belong in the bathroom, expired products, and bottles that have only been partially used. If you haven’t used something in six months, it’s expired, or it doesn’t belong in that cupboard, get rid of it. Getting rid of the clutter is the first step toward optimizing your under-basin storage.

Measure Your Space & Line The Cabinet

Grab a tape measure and record the length, width, and height of your under-sink cabinet space. Remember that every inch counts in small spaces! Don’t forget to measure the actual cabinet door opening. Use a water-resistant shelf liner to shield your cabinets from makeup, dripping sponges, and cleaning supplies.

Use Coordinated Containers

Purchase a set of coordinating storage bins, baskets, or even stylish woven containers with lids. Along with making you appear much more put-together, this will also make it much easier to keep that neat and tidy vibe. Divide each bin into categories, separating bath products from hair products and other necessities. If there is space between the containers, add a stack of washcloths or your favorite body lotion to maximize the space.

Include Drawer Organizers

Don’t waste your under-basin cabinet’s drawer space! Get some compact drawer organizers to keep smaller items separate and easy to access. These useful dividers can help separate small items such as hair ties, razors, and makeup products, making them easier to reach when you’re in a hurry. Placing the most frequently used items front and center. Label the compartments for maximum efficiency. This way, everyone in the house will know where to find (and return) each item.

Add Pull-Out Drawers

Tiered pull-out drawers, an alternative to stackable bins, make the most of the available height for under-bathroom-sink storage. These handy additions will allow you to easily access the very back of the cabinet, eliminating the dreaded “thing fell behind there again” struggle. Plus, they are ideal for storing taller items such as hairspray bottles or cleaning supplies that would otherwise be lost in the shuffle. Larger drawers are ideal for bulky items like rolls of toilet paper or bags of bath salts.

Use Open-Front Stacking Bins

Open, stackable bins and baskets have limitless applications. The key to making the best use of them is to assign each to a specific category. They are ideal for building shelves in awkward spaces, such as around piping in cabinets under sinks.

The open fronts make it easy to get things out of the bin without taking it all apart. You can even label the fronts to make organization even easier. Basically, there are rolls of toilet paper at the bottom, cleaning supplies in the middle, and first aid supplies on top.

Containers made of bamboo and seagrass are more eco-friendly options for organizing, but plastic or acrylic may be a better choice for storage under the bathroom sink. Plumbing leaks have the potential to destroy high-quality wood materials, and plastic is much easier to clean if liquids spill.

Keep it Simple

If the cabinet or drawers inside don’t have room for something big, you could put a pretty basket under it to store extra towels or toilet paper. Focus on making a few clear areas for different types of items, and keep the whole setup simple and clean. You want to be able to grab what you need without having to go through an obstacle course of containers and dividers each time.

Just put a few well-placed bins, drawers, and maybe one or two hanging organizers in there. This clean, simple style will make it easy to keep that bathroom tidy.

Make Items Easy To Grab

Place the items you use the most frequently at the front of the cabinet, and place taller items along the sides to avoid blocking your reach. Also, if something is really heavy or cumbersome, think about getting a pull-out drawer or rolling tray to save your back. To make cleaning easier, put cleaning supplies in a tote that is easy to grab. For example, wipe down the mirror or clean the tub and shower. For added convenience, a tote with handles makes it simple to organize your things when you’re done.

Bring in Bathroom Shelving

Get creative with your storage solutions if you’re having trouble making the most of the area under your sink. Install some free-standing shelving units or over-the-toilet storage solutions to relieve some of the strain on the under-sink area.

With these extra shelves, you can store bigger things like extra rolls of toilet paper or towels, making room in your under-the-sink cabinet for smaller things you need. Just make sure to measure carefully and select shelving that complements the overall design of your bathroom.

Make Use Of The Doors

Don’t let those cabinet doors go to waste; instead, use them for extra storage! Keep your hair dryer, curling iron, and flat iron off the counter by storing them on the bathroom cabinet door. Hang some small wire baskets, magnetic strips for bobby pins and hair clips, or install a hanging organizer to keep your most frequently used items easily accessible.

Just be mindful of weight restrictions and select hardware that will not damage the cabinet finish. A little door-based storage can help streamline your under-basin setup.

Utilize the Back of the Cabinet Door

That empty space can become a safe place for all your bathroom junk with stick-on racks, hanging organizers, or even a simple over-the-door shoe organizer. With a hair dryer, a few brushes, or a bunch of washcloths, an over-the-door basket can hold them all. Simply be aware of any potential clearance issues when opening and closing the doors.

Pack up Backstock Toiletries

Let’s be honest: we’ve all overstocked on toiletries due to tempting “buy one, get one” deals. But there’s no reason to let that backstock take up valuable space in your under-basin storage.

Store any excess shampoo, conditioner, or toilet paper in plastic bins or cardboard boxes. Stack them neatly in a hall closet, basement, or even under the sink in a less accessible location. That way, when you buy bars of soap in bulk, you’ll have a specific place for them.

Sort toiletries by category and store them in stackable lidded bins. Because you won’t be reaching for them every day, fishing out a bottom bin every now and then will not take up much time. Even if the bins are clear, label them to avoid confusion about what’s inside.

Final Thoughts

Now you know all the tips and tricks you need to get that under-the-sink storage going again. The goal is to create a system that works for you, whether that’s through strategic use of organizers or maximizing unused space.

However, what is the real key to keeping an under-basin area neat? Being honest about what you really need and use on a regular basis. Don’t be afraid to get rid of those expired products and random bathroom odds and ends that are wasting valuable space.

With a well-organized under-basin storage setup, you can transform that forgotten cabinet into a veritable treasure trove of storage potential. Now get started and enjoy the newfound calm of your optimized bathroom space!

FAQs about Under Basin Storage Bathroom

How do you store under a bathroom sink?

Before You Start.
Add Stackable Pull-Out Drawers.
Use Bins.
Utilize the Back of the Cabinet Doors.
Install Adjustable Shelving.
Try a Divided Container.
Repurpose a Lazy Susan.
Add Drawer Dividers or Containers.

What is the storage under a sink called?

What is Sink Tilt-Out Tray? | Definition of Sink Tilt-Out Tray. A sink tilt-out tray is used in place of false drawer fronts under a sink. The area is used to store small items, such as sponges, wash cloths, and hand soap. A sink tilt-out tray is a small storage area between the cabinet frame and the bowl of the sink.

What should I put under my bathroom sink?

That could be a two-tier shelf, plastic bins, a revolving lazy Susan organizer, plastic drawers, or whatever is most practical for you and your space. “Something with stacking drawers or pull-outs is always helpful under the sink so items don’t get lost in the cabinets,” says Sara West of South Coast Organizers.

Should you store things under the sink?

While you absolutely should take advantage of the space underneath your sink, there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to what you should store there. Even if your sink doesn’t leak, that cabinet can still be warm and humid, so store food and electronics elsewhere.