The Best Under-Kitchen-Sink Organizers (That Fit Around Pipes)

The best under kitchen sink organizer is the one that fits around your pipes. That’s why most of them disappoint. The cabinet under the sink has a drain trap in the middle, supply lines on the sides and often a garbage disposal. A regular shelf won’t sit flat in there. For most sinks, start with the Simple Houseware Expandable Under Sink Organizer. It stretches from 15 to 25 inches wide, and you leave out a shelf panel wherever a pipe comes down.

Other cabinets need something else. Narrow side spaces suit sliding baskets, deep cabinets suit a pull-out drawer, and small items suit clear bins. This guide covers five organizers and who each one is for.

How we chose: we haven’t installed these in a test kitchen. Instead, we compared each organizer’s size, adjustability, materials and mounting. Then we checked them against a typical sink base cabinet, which is usually 30 to 36 inches wide and about 21 to 23 inches deep inside. (More on how we choose what to recommend.)

Our quick picks

The 5 organizers compared

Our picks, reviewed

Best overall

Simple Houseware Expandable Under Sink Organizer

Best for: Anyone with a center drain and a mix of tall and short bottles

This is the most adaptable organizer here. You set the width to your cabinet, then drop in the steel panels everywhere except under the drain trap or disposal. That way the top shelf works on both sides of the pipes. The bottom level takes tall bottles and the dish soap refill. It doesn’t slide, though, so put the things you use daily at the front.

What we like

• Expands from 15 to 25 inches wide to fit most sink bases
• Shelf panels lift out wherever a pipe comes down
• Four height settings for the top shelf
• Steel frame and a mat for the cabinet floor

Watch out for

• Shelves are fixed, so items at the back take a reach
• At 11.75 inches deep, it leaves space behind it unused
• Small bottles can tip on the perforated panels

Size

15 to 25 in wide, 11.75 in deep, 15.25 in tall

Panels

Three 6-3/8 in and four 3-1/8 in

Material

Steel

Check price on Amazon

Best pull-out baskets

Simple Houseware 2-Tier Sliding Basket Organizer

Best for: The narrow gap between a pipe and the cabinet wall

Slide-out baskets are the easiest way to stop the “lost at the back” problem. This one is narrow enough to tuck beside the drain. Many people use two, one on each side. Check the basket height before you buy: it’s made for sponges, dishwasher pods and short bottles, not full-size spray cleaners.

What we like

• Two baskets slide out, so nothing gets lost at the back
• Only 8 inches wide
• Rubber feet, or screw it down for extra stability
• Quick to assemble

Watch out for

• Baskets are only 3.8 inches tall, so tall sprays won’t fit inside
• Owners often say it’s smaller than they expected
• Wire baskets let tiny items fall through

Size

8 in wide, 14 in deep, 12.75 in tall

Baskets

About 6.9 x 14 x 3.8 in each

Material

Steel wire

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Best for both sides of the pipes

Sevenblue 2-Tier Under Sink Organizer, 2-Pack

Best for: Sinks with a drain in the middle and space on both sides

Two narrow towers often fit better than one wide shelf. The space under most sinks is really two pockets with pipes in between. The L-shape keeps the upper tier out of the way of the trap while the bottom tier takes tall bottles. Measure the height under your trap first, since this one only adjusts by two inches.

What we like

• Two units, one for each side of the drain
• L-shape: narrow on top, wide at the bottom to clear the plumbing
• Height adjusts from 11 to 13 inches
• Carbon steel, rated for up to 50 lb

Watch out for

• Height range is small, so check it clears your drain trap
• Together they take about 19 inches of floor width
• Coated steel needs drying if your sink leaks

Size

9.5 in wide, 13.6 in deep, 13 in tall, each

Height

11 to 13 in

Material

Carbon steel

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Best upgrade

LYNK Professional Pull Out Cabinet Organizer

Best for: Homeowners with a deep cabinet who want a real drawer

If you own your kitchen and want the under-sink cabinet to work like a drawer, this is the step up. It uses the cabinet’s full depth, rolls out on ball bearings, and turns the back corner into usable space. Measure the door opening and the gap between the pipes before you order. The drawer has to roll past both.

What we like

• Ball-bearing glides that run smoothly under load
• Chrome finish made to resist rust
• Lifetime limited warranty
• Alignment guide makes the screw-in install easier

Watch out for

• Screws into the cabinet floor, so not ideal for renters
• A single low tier, 4 inches tall
• Needs 14 inches of clear width between pipes and the door frame

Size

14 in wide, 21 in deep, 4 in tall

Mount

Screws to the cabinet floor

Material

Chrome-plated steel

Check price on Amazon

Best for small items

Delamu Clear 2-Tier Pull-Out Organizers, 2-Pack

Best for: Sponges, trash bags, pods and refills you want to see at a glance

Small things are what make an under-sink cabinet feel messy: half-used sponges, spare bags, dishwasher pods. Clear drawers with dividers give each a slot, and you can see when you’re running low. Use them beside the pipes for light items, and keep heavy bottles on a steel shelf.

What we like

• Four clear pull-out drawers with eight movable dividers
• Made in two heights, and they stack up to three high
• You can see what’s inside without opening anything
• Non-slip feet

Watch out for

• Clear plastic is for light items, not heavy jugs
• Drawers are short, so tall bottles don’t fit
• Shows water spots if your sink drips

Size

8.27 x 13.19 x 9.06 in and 8.27 x 13.19 x 10.63 in

Contents

2 units, 4 drawers, 8 dividers

Material

Clear plastic

Check price on Amazon

How to choose an under kitchen sink organizer

Three measurements and two questions decide it. Get those right, and almost any organizer on this list will fit your cabinet.

Measure the space, not just the cabinet

Write down the inside width, depth and height. Then measure the door opening, which is often narrower than the inside because of the frame and hinges. Next, mark where the drain trap, supply lines and disposal come down. Most people end up with two pockets, one on each side of the drain, plus a strip at the front.

Shelf, pull-out or both?

Fixed shelves, like the expandable Simple Houseware, use height well and adjust around pipes. Pull-outs solve the reaching problem but need a clear path to slide. Many cabinets work best with a mix. Put a shelf in the middle and narrow pull-outs on each side.

Freestanding or screwed in?

Renters should stick to freestanding organizers with rubber feet. If you own your home, a screw-in pull-out like the LYNK feels more solid. It won’t shift when you grab a bottle.

Metal or plastic?

Powder-coated or chrome steel carries heavy jugs without sagging. Clear plastic is lighter, easy to wipe, and lets you see small items. Under a sink, either way, keep a waterproof mat or tray on the cabinet floor.

Don’t forget the door and the walls

The inside of the cabinet door can hold a slim rack for sponges or a bag dispenser. Just make sure it clears the pipes when the door closes. A tension rod across the top of the cabinet is the cheapest organizer of all. Hang spray bottles from it by their triggers and free up the floor below.

A simple layout that works in most sink cabinets

Most sink bases split into the same four zones. Plan each one before you buy anything.

• Left pocket: a narrow pull-out or tower for daily items, such as dish soap refills, dishwasher pods and sponges.
• Right pocket: a second narrow organizer for cleaning sprays and spare trash bags.
• Middle, under the trap: a low tray or the bottom tier of an expandable shelf for tall jugs.
• Door and top edge: a slim door rack or a tension rod for gloves, brushes and spray bottles.

If your sink has a disposal, give the middle zone more height and skip anything tall there. Keep the water shutoff valves clear in every layout.

What to keep under the sink, and what to move

The cabinet under the sink is damp and sometimes leaks. Store things that can handle that, and move the rest.

Good to keep here: dish soap and refills, dishwasher pods, sponges and brushes, rubber gloves, trash bags, a small bucket and everyday cleaning sprays.

Better somewhere else: food and pet food, paper towels in bulk, and anything that rusts or warps when wet. Also move strong chemicals out of reach if you have young kids or pets.

Fewer items also means an organizer that actually stays tidy. A good rule is one bottle of each cleaner in use, with refills stored elsewhere.

Finally, check the cabinet every few weeks when you grab a new sponge. Look for a damp mat, a white crust on the pipes or a musty smell. Each one can point to a slow leak, and catching it early saves the cabinet floor.

Set it up in 20 minutes

1. Empty the cabinet and wipe it down. Check for drips under the trap and the supply valves while it’s clear.
2. Toss what you don’t use. Most under-sink cabinets hold duplicate cleaners and dried-out sponges.
3. Lay a mat or tray on the floor to catch leaks.
4. Fit the organizers around the pipes, then load heavy items low and daily items at the front.
5. Keep the shutoff valves reachable. You’ll want to get to them fast if a pipe ever leaks.

For more ideas on the rest of the room, see the under-the-sink section of our small kitchen organization guide.

FAQ

How do I organize under the kitchen sink with a garbage disposal?

Treat the disposal like a wide pipe. Measure the space on each side of it and use two narrow organizers, one per side. Keep tall items in the front strip. An expandable shelf with removable panels also works if it sits low enough to clear the bottom of the disposal.

What can I use to protect the cabinet floor under the sink?

A waterproof mat or a shallow tray with a raised edge catches drips before they soak into the cabinet base. Some organizers include a mat, like the Simple Houseware expandable shelf. Check under the trap now and then, because slow leaks often show up there first.

Should cleaning products be stored under the sink?

Only if they’re out of reach of children and pets. If you have young kids, add a cabinet lock or move cleaners up high, and keep Poison Control’s number handy. In the US, you can also call 1-800-222-1222.

Will a pull-out organizer fit past the cabinet door frame?

Only if the frame opening is wider than the organizer. Measure the narrowest part of the opening, usually between the hinges or the center post. Compare it to the organizer’s width before you order.

How deep is the cabinet under a kitchen sink?

Most sink base cabinets are 24 inches deep from the outside, which leaves about 21 to 23 inches inside. The front few inches are often blocked by the face frame. That’s why many organizers are 12 to 14 inches deep: they fit in front of the pipes and leave room behind them.

Is an expandable shelf or a pull-out better?

It depends on where your pipes are. An expandable shelf adapts to almost any layout and holds tall bottles, but you reach in for items at the back. A pull-out brings everything to you, yet it needs a clear path past the pipes and the door frame. If you can’t decide, start with the shelf in the middle and add one narrow pull-out at the side.

How do I keep things from falling over under the sink?

Group small bottles in a bin or caddy so they move together. Use dividers in drawers, and hang spray bottles from a tension rod. Heavy items belong on the bottom level, where a bump won’t send them sliding.

Are under sink organizers worth it?

For most kitchens, yes. Even one well-placed organizer turns a pile of bottles into two tidy levels. You also stop buying duplicates of cleaners you couldn’t find. Start with the side that bothers you most and add a second organizer later if you need it.

Under-sink storage is only one corner of the kitchen. For counters, walls, cabinets and pantry-free storage, start with our guide to small kitchen organization ideas.