If you’ve ever opened the cabinet under your sink and felt a wave of frustration, you’re not alone. That dark, awkward space with pipes running through the middle is one of the most underused storage areas in the home. But with the right system, it can hold everything from cleaning supplies to extra toiletries — all within easy reach. Whether you rent or own, have $10 or $100 to spend, these 22 under sink organization systems will help you reclaim that space starting today.
1. Tension Rod Spray Bottle Holder
A simple tension rod costs under $5 and changes everything. Install it horizontally near the top of your cabinet. Hang spray bottles by their trigger handles. This frees up the entire floor of the cabinet for other items. It takes less than two minutes to set up. No tools required. No damage to the cabinet. This is the single most budget-friendly hack for under-sink storage and it works just as well under the bathroom sink as it does in the kitchen.
2. Stackable Clear Plastic Bins
Clear bins let you see everything at a glance. No more digging around. Stack two small bins on top of each other to double your storage space. Label the front with a marker or label maker. You can find these at dollar stores or discount retailers for $1–$3 each. Pull the whole bin out like a drawer when you need something. Put it back in seconds. This system works especially well for grouping similar items — all sponges together, all soap refills together.
3. Pull-Out Cabinet Drawers
Slide-out drawers turn dead cabinet space into an accessible storage zone. You don’t have to reach into the back of the cabinet anymore. These mount on small tracks and glide smoothly. Many options cost $15–$30 at home improvement stores. Great for bathrooms where you store small items like cotton rounds, nail clippers, or medicine. Install two side by side around the pipes. The difference in daily convenience is immediate and real.
4. Over-the-Pipe Shelf Riser
The drain pipe running through your cabinet doesn’t have to be an obstacle. A pipe riser shelf straddles it, giving you a usable shelf above and floor space below. Wire versions are adjustable and cost around $10–$20. You can also DIY one using two small wood blocks and a spare shelf board. This approach is perfect for kitchens where the pipe sits dead center. Stack tall bottles on top and store flat items underneath.
5. Lazy Susan Turntable
A lazy susan makes corner or deep cabinets completely usable. Just spin it to access anything stored in the back. No more forgotten bottles collecting dust. Plastic versions cost as little as $8. Place it on the cabinet floor and load it with your most-used cleaners. It spins smoothly and requires zero installation. This is especially useful for awkward cabinets where reaching the back means practically climbing inside.
6. Mounted Door Organizer
The inside of your cabinet door is wasted space in most homes. An over-the-door organizer attaches with small hooks or screws and holds a surprising amount. Use it for rubber gloves, small brushes, sponges, or pouches of cleaning tablets. Command strips work well here if you don’t want to drill. Organizers made for this purpose run $10–$20. For a free DIY version, use a shoe organizer cut to fit. This one change doubles your accessible storage surface instantly.
7. Small Plastic Drawer Unit
A mini plastic drawer unit — the kind sold for desktops — fits perfectly under many sinks. Three small drawers let you categorize items neatly. One for first aid, one for hair accessories, one for skincare samples. They cost $8–$15 and require no installation. Just slide them into the cabinet. The drawers pull out fully so you can see everything inside. This is a great solution for bathrooms where small items tend to get lost in larger bins.
8. Wire Shelf with Hooks
Add a wire shelf about halfway up your cabinet and suddenly you have two levels. Attach small S-hooks to the bottom wires to hang gloves, brushes, or small bags. Wire shelves are adjustable and cost $5–$15. They also allow air circulation, which matters when you store damp sponges or cleaning cloths. This setup is easy to customize. Move items around as your storage needs change. No permanent changes to the cabinet required.
9. Magnetic Strip for Small Tools
A small magnetic strip mounted inside the cabinet wall keeps metal tools within reach. Think scissors, twisty ties, spare screws, or a small wrench for the pipes. These strips cost $5–$10 and mount with screws or heavy-duty adhesive. This is a surprisingly useful addition in the kitchen where small maintenance tools tend to vanish in junk drawers. It keeps them hidden but perfectly accessible when a pipe drips or a bag needs cutting open.
10. Baskets with Labels
Simple baskets with labels create a pull-and-grab system anyone in the house can use. No guessing where things go. No digging. Each basket holds one category. Labels can be handwritten on cardstock and tucked into the weave. Wicker and fabric baskets cost $3–$10 each at discount stores. They soften the look of the cabinet too, which matters if you have open shelving. Change the labels any time your storage needs shift.
11. Stackable File Organizers for Flat Items
Office supply organizers aren’t just for paper. Vertical file holders stack flat items like plastic wrap boxes, aluminum foil, reusable bags, and extra sponge packs standing upright. This stops things from sliding around and stacking unevenly. A set of two file organizers costs $5–$10. Stand them in the front of the cabinet for fast access. This approach works especially well in kitchens where the under-sink area doubles as a small supply zone.
12. Under-Sink Cabinet Shelf Organizer Kit
These kits are designed specifically for under-sink spaces and come with adjustable shelves to fit around pipes. Two-tier designs double your storage surface instantly. They cost $20–$40 and require no tools to assemble. Most come in white or chrome wire and fit a standard cabinet width. This is the closest thing to a complete out-of-the-box solution. If you want to organize fast without piecing things together, this is the most direct path.
13. Repurposed Shower Caddy
A spare shower caddy becomes a surprisingly effective cabinet organizer. Hang it from a tension rod mounted near the top of the cabinet, or hook it directly to a wire shelf. It holds spray bottles, sponges, gloves, and scrub brushes with built-in drainage. If you have a caddy collecting dust in the bathroom, repurpose it for free. This works equally well in kitchen and bathroom cabinets and keeps cleaning supplies grouped without taking up floor space.
14. Zip-Top Pouches for Loose Items
Loose items create chaos fast. Small zip-top pouches — the kind used for travel toiletries — keep things grouped inside bins or baskets. One pouch for extra sponges, one for spare batteries, one for rubber bands and twist ties. They cost almost nothing and compress to fit around other items. Label each pouch with a marker. When you grab the pouch, everything inside comes with it. It’s a simple approach that adds a layer of order inside any bin or drawer.
15. Adjustable Bungee Cord Divider
A bungee cord stretched across the back of your cabinet keeps tall bottles standing upright and prevents them from tipping. Anchor each end to a small hook screwed into the cabinet walls. This costs almost nothing — hooks are $1–$2, cord is often already on hand. It’s especially useful for tall spray bottles that fall every time you open the cabinet. Takes five minutes to install and immediately reduces clutter and frustration every single day.
16. Pegboard Panel Insert
Cut a pegboard panel to fit the back wall of your cabinet and suddenly you have a fully customizable hanging system. Add hooks wherever you want. Move them around any time. Pegboard is available at hardware stores for $5–$10 a sheet and is easy to cut with a jigsaw or hand saw. Paint it white to keep the look clean. This works well for storing tools, gloves, or anything you’d rather hang than stack. A truly flexible system that grows with your needs.
17. Small Plastic Crate System
Small plastic crates — the mini version of milk crates — are sturdy, stackable, and cheap. Group one crate per category and stack them if height allows. A set of four costs $10–$15. They stack securely and can be labeled on the front. The open slat design lets you see contents from the side without removing anything. Pull the whole crate out when you need to restock or find something. This approach scales well if you have a larger cabinet with more floor space.
18. Hanging Mesh Bags
Hanging mesh bags clip onto a tension rod or wire shelf and add vertical storage without using any floor space. Use them for sponges, rags, or small spray bottles. They’re breathable, so damp items dry faster. A pack of three costs $5–$8. This is a good addition alongside other systems rather than a standalone solution. Great for items you use daily since they hang at eye level when you open the cabinet, making them the easiest things to grab.
19. Custom PVC Pipe Holders
This is one of the most satisfying free or near-free DIY projects for under-sink storage. Cut short sections of PVC pipe from scraps, glue them side by side, and use them as upright holders for spray bottles, brushes, or rolled gloves. PVC pipe costs very little and cuts easily with a handsaw. Glue the sections together with PVC cement or strong craft glue. Lay the row flat on the cabinet floor and load it up. Clean, sturdy, and built exactly to your needs.
20. Drawer Liner for Slip-Free Storage
Non-slip drawer liner costs $3–$5 and solves one of the most annoying under-sink problems — bins and bottles sliding every time you open the door. Cut it to fit the cabinet floor. Lay it flat and everything on top stays in place. It also protects the cabinet surface from spills and scratches. A small roll goes a long way. This isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most practical additions to any organization system and works under every other storage solution on this list.
21. Labeled Mason Jar Organizers
Mason jars on a small tray make a charming and genuinely functional storage option for bathroom cabinets. Use them for cotton swabs, bobby pins, hair ties, or small skincare accessories. Write labels on kraft paper tags and tie them with twine. Most households already have mason jars on hand. Place them on a tray so you can pull the whole group out at once. This system works best for small, loose items that tend to scatter inside larger bins.
22. Wall-Mounted Side Pocket on Cabinet Wall
The side walls inside your cabinet are often completely unused. A fabric or plastic wall pocket mounts flat against the wall with adhesive strips or small tacks. Use it for items that don’t stack well — sponges, cloths, small notebooks, or an emergency stash of batteries. These pockets cost $5–$10 or can be made from a canvas pouch with a hole punched at the top. It keeps the cabinet floor clear and puts frequently used items right at your fingertips.
Conclusion
Getting your under-sink cabinet organized doesn’t require a big budget or a weekend project. As this list shows, even a $3 tension rod or a spare mason jar can make a real difference in how usable that space feels every day. Start with one or two solutions that match your space and your most frustrating storage pain points. Build from there. The goal isn’t a perfect cabinet — it’s a functional one that saves you time and reduces the small daily frustration of not finding what you need. Pick one idea from this list and act on it today.