The cabinet under the sink may not be the beauty queen of the kitchen, but this functional space is easy to access and a fantastic opportunity to bring organization and style to a space you use daily.  By adding a few functional storage pieces and editing out the items you don’t need, you can create a space that is a breeze to keep organized.

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Here are my 5 tips for making your sink cabinet both organized and beautiful.

Corral small items in a bin

Sponges and brushes seem to float around under the sink without a proper home.  Look for a bin that is divided into smaller containers and group similar items together.  You can even add dish tabs to one of the containers for easy access when starting the dishwasher.

And here’s a secret for making this space feel extra special.  Purchase a few new sponges or Magic Erasers to stock your sink cabinet.  It’s a small investment, but one that gives you an instant boost when you open up your cabinet.

I mean, is there anything better than a fresh sponge?

Make a garbage bag dispenser

Taking trash and compost bags out of the box that they come in does two things: 

1) It saves space since you don’t have to store the bulky box 

2) makes them easier to access when you need them. 

But how do you store them?

I came up with an easy way to create a dispenser for the three types of bags I keep under the sink and it’s a great way to store your rolls.

Here’s how to make it:

Start with a plastic bin with a hole or handle on the side.  My box is from Ikea, but you can find similar bins at HomeGoods or Amazon.  Really any sturdy plastic bin with a handle hole will work.

Take bags out of the original box and place the rolls inside the bin.  Pull the loose end through the hole and cover with a lid (or a cutting board).

When you need a new bag, simply pull the loose end and tear off the bag. 

Use the back of the door

Maximize your storage by taking advantage of the vertical space on the back of your door.  3M Command makes products that are perfect for attaching to your cabinets without drilling or damaging them.  

I used two of the Command Spray Bottle hooks for my frequently used sprays:

vinegar + water = used for floors, cabinets, and appliances

disinfectant (usually 409 or Lysol) = used for door handles, bathrooms, sinks, etc.

The bottles are amber plastic reusable spray bottles from Amazon and the labels were made with my Brother P-Touch PTD600 and white on clear label tape.

I used a Command Broom Holder hook for my dish brush.  This created an easy place to pop my dish brush into when it’s not in use and cleared my counters, which brings me to the next tip:  

Make spots for things that are always sitting out on your counter

Clearing off your counters next to the sink is an easy way to make your whole kitchen feel larger and less cluttered.  Look around to see if there is something cluttery that could be moved under the sink.  Sponges, dish brushes, soap, and counter spray are all great candidates for relocation.

We use a compost bin frequently in our house and I really wanted to get it off the counter.  Just like the garbage can, I felt like this was something that should live tucked away in a cabinet.

By adding a cutting board on my garbage bag bin, I was able to create a shelf perfect for the compost bin.

Make it pretty

Last, but definitely not least, find ways to make the space pleasing to look at.  I’ve found that when I make a space look really pretty, it’s MUCH easier to keep organized – and even my family is more likely to put things back where they go. 

Start with the base of the cabinet.  Lining the bottom with a fun printed shelf liner, like this gold geometric print, is a great way to guarantee you will smile every time you reach for a dish tab.

Using a unified color palette elevates the look of any space, even under the sink.

I stuck with dark grey and black with pops of gold.  I even spray-painted my tired, beige garbage can matte black to fit with the colors under the sink.

In summary, the under sink cabinet is a manageable place to infuse a little organization and design guaranteed to brighten your day every time you throw something in the trash.  

For inspiration in action, check out my TikTok video of this space below:

@smallishhome

Organizing the space under the sink! #kitchenorganization #kitchenstorage #organizingtips #organizing #undersinkorganization #homeorganization

♬ The Middle – Zedd & Maren Morris & Grey

And be sure to follow me on Instagram @smallishhome 

Happy organizing!