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Here is a weird pain point of mine: I keep buying under-sink organizers, trying to find ways to organize under the sink. I thought I'd give some reviews of products I've bought — but I'd love to hear from you guys. Do you feel like the space under your sink(s) is organized? What are your favorite products to organize the space under the sink?
(Perhaps related questions: Do you have different systems to organize under the vanity in the bathroom versus, say, products to organize under the kitchen sink? What in general has been the hardest or easiest product to store?)
Products I've Tried to Organize Under the Sink
Oh, let me count the ways to organize under the sink that I've tried…
The Expandable Shelf
I've had a product like this for years and years — for me it's just never been terribly useful, and the tiny slats drive me bonkers.
I've been eyeing this upgraded version with a U-shape — I feel like having a second tier along the back would be really helpful.
Wooden Organizers
I saw this “under the vanity” storage product at Pottery Barn and thought it would be exactly what I needed. I even ordered it when it was back-ordered, so I waited months for it arrive before happily installing it underneath a bathroom sink.
And… the drawers aren't really tall enough for most stuff I want under a bathroom cabinet, and the drawers don't pull out smoothly. The whole product isn't very deep, so I could have it along the back of the sink… if my sink cabinet were just a leeetle bit bigger and I could fit it behind the pipes. Womp womp.
An Underrated Under-Sink Organizer: Plastic Boxes
Something I've used a lot over the years are just plain plastic shoeboxes with tops — I can move them around like Lego pieces, and it allows me to have, say, all of my winter hair products (which generally tend to be more focused on dry hair/protecting from heat) and all of my summer hair products (which tend to be focused more on air drying).
I think we bought the 20-box set from Container Store back when we were first married and organizing our apartment — it's held up well. I like that there isn't a huge difference in width between the top of the box and the bottom of the box; some of the Rubbermaid ones are fluted in a way that is not helpful. The Container Store shoe boxes are 5 for $10.99, 20 for $39.99.
I've also had boxes for nailpolish… shaving products… period products (before I discovered alternatives). I even had a box for pregnancy tests back when we were trying to conceive.
But… when trying to fit bigger products like shampoo bottles, they often don't fit neatly into the box, so then the top of the box doesn't fit and you have problems stacking. Still, for small products, this system works great.
Plastic Drawers
I have approximately 10,000 of those stacking 3-drawer towers and haven't ever been a fan of them for the under-sink area — the drawers weren't tall enough to store what I wanted.
So I was really psyched when I saw these extremely tall drawers from Container Store, and couldn't wait for them to arrive.
And…. womp womp… they don't fit under my sink. I have used them in a linen closet, though, where they're a lovely product — the drawers slide open incredibly smoothly and they're super spacious inside.
Readers, let's hear from you — what are your favorite under-sink organizers, especially for taller bottles like shampoo? In general, how much storage space do you have in your home for bathroom products, and what are your favorite ways to organize under the sink?
Holly Flax
Anyone have great fiction books to recommend? Over the holiday break, I read all of Liane Moriarty’s books (I discovered her after watching Big Little Lies) and have started reading Elin Hilderbrand’s books now.
Anon
I really loved the Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett, Earthlings by Sayaka Murata (and also Convenience Store Woman), Severance by Ling Ma, Monogamy by Sue Miller, The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi (also Freshwater).
Senior Attorney
My favorite book of last year was Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. Also cosign The Vanishing Half and Severance. Also I loved the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny, starting with Still Life.
A.
Another vote for the Vanishing Half — riveting! I also loved Nothing to See Here. For pure brain candy, the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy was fun and fluffy.
Holly Flax
Thank you all! I read The Vanishing Half last summer and loved it. I’ll have to check out the rest!
Anon
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quon Barry was really good as an audiobook. It’s the first book i’ve read with a first person plural narration (“we”) and it was well done.
Akira
I’m a bit late to the convo here, but there have been a bunch of posts about not being able
to work because of the insurrection going on – understandably!!
I work in the policy / politics space and honestly that has helped me so much with this. Yes everything is horrible, but I have tried (and succeeded :) in making this situation a little bit better than it could have been. I’m still obviously horrified . . . but it helps somewhat.
I know this is not actionable advice, but I do feel like getting involved in your community, helping in whatever way you can be helpful, in turn helps you deal with the situation at large.
Anonymous
Not to be snarky, but have you considered measuring before ordering any additional storage solutions? I don’t like buying a bunch of plastic stuff, so for toiletries use square rattan baskets for tall items and stacked strawberry baskets for the rest.
Anon
+1 on measuring.
Also, Ikea cabinets for kitchens and bathrooms are amazing for this – if you use their sink, there is room under for two deep drawers with dividers etc. Obviously Ikea may not be your cup of tea, but they truly have amazing and clever storage solutions for weird spaces that you can probably fit into non – Ikea cabinets as well (as long as you, not to put too fine a point on it, measure first…)
Monday
+1, there’s no need for guessing games with this! Measure the space and the items you’re trying to store, and compare them to the measurements of the items you’re browsing.
Anonymous
I may re-post tomorrow but I came across this information tonight and didn’t wanna forget – it may apply to people.
https://practicaldermatology.com/news/three-filler-patients-had-adverse-reactions-to-the-moderna-covid-19-vaccine
Anon
We’re supposed to organize under the sink?
Salty Cinnamon
Bwahahahaha!
Anon
When I start to have a hard time organizing….it typically means that I have too much stuff and need to edit.
Not Norm Abrams
I have a pedestal sink in my bathroom so somehow found these (no teens):
https://www.pbteen.com/products/hannah-beauty-wall-cabinet/?pkey=cbathroom-storage
I had plastic cups I put on one side to hold smaller items like makeup brushes. It isn’t obvious but there is also storage in front of the mirror for taller items. I don’t use this to apply makeup, just store things.
https://www.pbteen.com/products/hannah-beauty-hair-accessories-organizer/?pkey=cbathroom-storage
I did not install the towel bar on the hair accessories organizer given space limitations. They have other stuff too in this line. My bathroom was already white so it works really well for my small space.
In my kitchen I built pullout drawers (a small one on the side and a large one on the bottom) using free plans from familyhandyman.com. I did have to adapt it a little to size, but they have loads of resources if carpentry isn’t an option. I tried to find the plans I used but the link below came up in the search, some of which you mentioned above, but the last two may be an option. I have the larger MadeSmart organizers (woman-owned) for my workroom and I like those.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/11-organizers-for-under-the-bathroom-or-kitchen-sink/
They link through to DIY plans at the end if that is something that is an option. I started making my own stuff because I could also never find what I wanted and I was terrible at measuring (I know it’s illogical but I make it work!), but I recognize not everyone has that option. I used their plans to customize my kitchen cabinets, and I got lucky a few times in the free scrap wood piles at HD, so it cost very little.