Tips For Under Kitchen Sink Cabinet Storage

The first step in organizing any space is taking stock of what you're working with. Before rushing out to buy storage solutions for under your kitchen sink, carefully measure the cabinet dimensions including width, depth, and height. Be sure to account for any pipes, the garbage disposal, ventilation systems, or other potential obstacles that take up space. Even a couple of inches can make a difference when trying to maximize limited real estate.

Also take note of the cabinet layout and existing storage elements already in place like shelves, drawers or lazy susans. Check if the door opens smoothly without hitting nearby cabinets or walls. Can you easily access the full depth and corners? These details will impact the type of organizers that will fit.

Inventory All Items Currently Stored

After assessing the physical space, take everything out of the cabinet and make an exhaustive list. Typical under sink residents include cleaning supplies, sponges, dish soap, paper towels, trash bags, scrub brushes and more. Sort items into categories so you can see what you actually use on a regular basis versus products that could be relocated or eliminated.

Consider Your Needs

Now that your inventory is complete, think carefully about how you utilize the contents of this cabinet. Do you reach for all-purpose cleaner 10 times a day? Do you need instant access to dishwasher tablets? Make note of easily forgotten tasks as well like changing air filters or keeping a plunger on hand for emergencies. Understanding usage patterns will help optimize storage.

Clear Out Under Sink Clutter

Chances are your under sink audit revealed things you forgot about, multiples of the same item, or cleaning products you never reach for. Be ruthless and recycle or donate anything you don't need to make room for essentials. Group like items together in categories so it's easier to see if there are duplicates.

Categorize Essential Items

Once non-essentials are eliminated, you can start deciding what needs to stay based on frequency of use. Daily use products like dish soap, sponges and all-purpose cleaner should be most accessible. Emergency tools like a plunger can go in a back corner as those are needed less often. Take notes on usage patterns as you sort and prioritize items.

Assess Remaining Space

After removing clutter, you now have a blank slate to work with. Refer back to your original measurement notes, clearance around pipes and disposal unit, door accessibility etc. Make sure to measure again in case your numbers change once contents are removed. This will help determine ideal storage solutions.

Categorize Remaining Items By Usage

The key to a smoothly functioning under sink area is having a designated spot for everything based on frequency of use. Place daily essentials like dish soap, sponges and scrub brushes in easy to access spots. Emergency tools can be tucked away in harder to reach areas since you don't need them often.

Map Out Zone Placement

Think of your cabinet in zones - prime real estate should house items utilized multiple times a day. The middle zone is still readily accessible for products used a few times a week like all purpose or bathroom cleaners. Back corners are best for emergency or occasional use products like plungers or wax for hardwood floors.

Label Clearly

No matter how organized your space, if you can't easily identify where things go, disorder will take over. Make sure every storage container, basket or tray is clearly labeled. Consider color coding cleaning products by room. Label the zone and contents on shelf edges for quick identification.

Evaluate Storage Solutions For Under Sink Area

Now that everything is sorted by frequency of use and placement zones identified, it's time to shop for storage elements tailored to your unique space. Take your cabinet measurements and photos of your existing layout to the store with you for reference. Be sure to account for plumbing, the garbage disposal and door clearance as you evaluate options.

Measure Twice, Buy Once

The cardinal rule when shopping for under sink organizers is to measure twice and buy once. It's tempting to eyeball it or guess if something will fit, but that often leads to frustration and wasted money. Precisely measure every nook and cranny accounting for plumbing and other spatial constraints. This extra diligence up front saves return trips to the store.

Test For Actual Fit

Another shopping tip is to bring small containers or boxes representing the same dimensions as organizers you are considering. Place those test boxes in the sink cabinet and open and close the door multiple times. This shows you real life fit and function before purchasing. Make sure there is still clearance around pipes and room for the door to open fully when organizers are in place.

Implement Under Sink Organizers

You've conquered the audit, purged unused items, measured meticulously and purchased solutions to optimize every inch of available space. Now it's time for the fun part - loading everything into your newly organized under sink storage paradise!

Map Items To Designated Zones

Refer back to the zone mapping you did earlier where frequency of use dictated optimal placement. Make sure daily essentials go in the prime spots for easy access. Less utilized items can now go in deeper zones. Having a master plan for item mapping makes this process smooth.

Enjoy The Order

Stand back and admire your hard work! Opening the now organized cabinet should bring you joy and make cleaning tasks more efficient. Share photos of the finished project with family or friends who may need under sink inspiration! Celebrate this accomplishment before disorder has a chance to creep back in.

Maintain Under Sink Organization

A week or month from now, it's possible chaos could return if maintenance is ignored. Follow these tips to preserve your under sink organization victory long term.

Weekly Inspection

Make cabinet inspection part of your weekly home cleaning routine. Scan for items that have wandered from their designated homes. Check if containers have become overcrowded and redistribute items if necessary. Address leaks immediately before damage occurs. Early intervention prevents major declines into disorder.

Clutter accumulates gradually as new cleaning products make their way under your sink. Before adding the latest miracle cleaner to the collection, purge a comparable item. Keep your zones from becoming over packed by instituting a one in, one out rule. Be vigilant about eliminating unused items quickly.

This space should be maintained with care and order. Respect the limitations of the storage space and regularly purge unused items. Follow these under sink cabinet tips and you can eliminate clutter while optimizing every square inch!