Easy Hack for Hanging Coffee Mugs Under a Cabinet

Today I’m sharing a quick and easy hack for hanging coffee mugs under a cabinet using one of my favorite products…Command Hooks! It’s the best 5 minute DIY that’s renter friendly & space saving.

Here’s what you need to get started:

6 pack of Command Medium Wire Toggle Hooks (make sure you get the 2 lb weight limit for added security)

Coffee mugs (I’m sure you have a few kicking around the house)

I’ve had a thing for hanging mugs for a while now. There’s something so nostalgic about seeing them hanging in neat little rows. It feels like I’m instantly transported to a cozy ’60s diner where they serve steaming hot cups of coffee and huge plates of hash browns and eggs.

But the best part of hanging mugs is the space savings you get from it. The underside of kitchen cabinets is rarely used for anything, so why not take advantage of this unused space and actually use it to store something?

Like coffee mugs!

Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: Select your under counter location

Think about where you like to prepare your coffee or tea. Is this by the sink? Or near the coffee pot? You will want to hang your hooks in a place that is convenient, but also not in the way. I like to think of this as the ‘beverage zone’ and ideally, everything you need to prepare you hot drink should be within arms reach.

Choose a section of cabinets near this spot and plan out where you will hang your hooks. Ideally, this will be just to the side of your coffee pot since you will want to make sure the hanging cups won’t be in the way when you go to brew the coffee.

Step 2: Pick up some hooks & prepare the surface

You will want to use Command hooks with the metal hook (not the plastic hook!) The nice thing about these hooks is that the metal piece is flexible, so once the clear pad is stuck to the cabinet, the metal hook hangs down in a perfect “J” shape. Just like what you would find in a traditional cup hook screw.

Next, make sure to clean the surface well with rubbing alcohol. The under side of kitchen cabinets can be a grease trap, especially near the stove so you need to make sure it is clean prior to applying the hooks.

Step 3: Decide on spacing

Now, you need to decide on your spacing. I held up a mug on a hook to mock out the layout under the cabinet. I was able to fit two rows of Command Hooks, with 3 mugs each under my cabinets, which worked perfectly considering there were 6 hooks in the package. I also found I preferred the look and ease of hanging the mugs with the open part of the hook facing the front of the cabinet.

Since mugs can vary by size and shape, you will want to measure based off your mugs. If the hooks are too close together, you won’t have space for the mugs to hang properly, so this is an important step.

Step 4: Apply the hooks

Be sure to follow the package directions when applying the hooks. I placed all the hooks using the special adhesive pad and then waited an hour before hanging my mugs on the hooks. In the past I’ve been too eager and started using the hook before the hour was up and instantly regretted that decision. Not this time! This time I did not want the mugs to fall off, so I waited the full hour!

mugs // nespresso // canister // wood lazy susan

It was so worth it. I love the look! It’s so convenient to grab a cup from one of the hooks, especially when it’s dark in the morning and I’m only half awake. And, not one has fallen down!

But the best part is I’ve freed up some valuable cabinet space. In our tiny kitchen, every single inch of storage counts and having some breathing room for the mugs has helped tremendously. As we approach Spring, I feel myself ready to clear out cupboards and make more space for the things we use every day. I find myself craving the simplicity of less stuff, less clutter, less to manage.

If you are also feeling the pull to simplify and clear the clutter, be sure to download my Spring Cleaning and Organization Checklist. It covers all the hot spots in a house and helps you feel motivated to tackle each job this spring. You can find the checklist here: