How to Organize Under a Kitchen Sink Around Pipes
The cabinet under your kitchen sink can become one of the hardest spaces in the house to organize. Drainpipes cut through the middle, cleaning bottles are different heights, and small items disappear behind larger ones. The good news is that you do not need to remodel the cabinet to make the space work better.
The key is to organize around the plumbing instead of fighting it. Here is a practical way to turn awkward under-sink space into storage you can actually use.
1. Empty the cabinet before buying organizers
Take everything out first. Throw away empty containers, combine duplicates when appropriate, and move products that do not need to live under the sink. Starting with an empty cabinet makes it much easier to see where the pipes, disposal, supply lines, and shutoff valves limit your usable space.
2. Measure around the pipes
Measure the cabinet width, depth, and height, but do not stop there. Measure the open areas on both sides of the drainpipe and note how far the plumbing extends toward the front of the cabinet.
Also make sure any organizer you add will not block access to water shutoff valves. You want more storage without making basic maintenance harder.
3. Use the vertical space
One of the biggest under-sink mistakes is using only the cabinet floor. There is often valuable unused space above short bottles and supplies.
A tiered or pull-out organizer can create a second storage level while making items in the back easier to reach. The 2-Tier Under-Sink Organizer uses an L-shaped layout designed to make better use of vertical space around common plumbing while keeping stored items easier to access.
4. Put frequently used items toward the front
Dishwasher supplies, trash bags, sponges, and everyday cleaners should be easy to reach. Less frequently used products can go farther back or on an upper tier.
Try grouping items by job rather than simply fitting them wherever there is room. For example, keep dishwashing products together and group general cleaning supplies separately. This makes it easier to find what you need and easier to notice when something needs replacing.
5. Work with each side of the plumbing separately
If a drainpipe runs through the center of the cabinet, do not treat the cabinet as one large rectangle. Think of it as several smaller storage zones: left of the plumbing, right of the plumbing, directly in front, and any usable vertical space above.
This approach is especially helpful in cabinets where a garbage disposal or large plumbing trap makes a traditional full-width shelf impractical.
6. Protect the bottom of the cabinet
Under-sink cabinets are also vulnerable to slow leaks, drips, and spills from cleaning products. Keeping the cabinet organized makes it easier to spot moisture early, but adding a protective layer can provide another line of defense.
For cabinets where leak protection is a concern, see the Waterproof Under-Sink Leak Protection Mat.
7. Avoid overfilling the space
An organizer cannot fix a cabinet that contains more products than the space can reasonably hold. Leave enough room to pull baskets or drawers out without hitting pipes, and avoid packing products so tightly that you cannot see what is behind them.
A little open space makes the cabinet easier to maintain and gives you room to notice a leak before it damages stored items.
A simple under-sink layout
For many kitchens, a practical setup looks like this:
- Front: everyday cleaners and dishwasher supplies
- Side of plumbing: narrow pull-out or tiered storage
- Upper tier: sponges, gloves, cloths, and smaller supplies
- Back: less frequently used products
- Cabinet floor: a washable or waterproof protective mat
What should you look for in an under-sink organizer?
Before choosing one, check its dimensions against your actual cabinet and plumbing layout. Prioritize an organizer that gives you easy access to stored items, fits beside or around your pipes, and does not prevent access to plumbing components.
Browse our Under-Sink Storage & Organizers collection for practical ways to make awkward cabinet space easier to use.
Frequently asked questions
How do I organize under a sink when the pipes are in the middle?
Divide the cabinet into smaller zones around the plumbing instead of trying to fit one large organizer across the entire cabinet. Narrow, tiered, or pull-out organizers can help use the available space on either side.
Should I store cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink?
Many households use this area for cleaning supplies, but storage should always account for the product label, household circumstances, and access by children or pets. Follow each product's storage instructions and use appropriate child-safety measures where needed.
How can I get more space under my kitchen sink?
Remove unnecessary products, use vertical storage, group similar supplies together, and choose organizers based on the open areas around your plumbing rather than cabinet dimensions alone.
What if my under-sink cabinet has a garbage disposal?
Measure the remaining space on both sides and in front of the disposal. Smaller modular organizers are often more practical than a full-width shelf because they can fit into the usable zones without interfering with the disposal or plumbing.
Make the space work for you. Explore under-sink storage solutions at New Looks Amazing or see the 2-Tier Under-Sink Organizer for a pull-out option designed around awkward cabinet space.
Related guide: Once the cabinet below is organized, improve the workspace above it with our guide to making a small kitchen sink area more functional.