7 Things You Should Be Storing Under The Bathroom Sink

No matter the size of your bathroom, storage space always seems to be in short supply. Choosing what to keep under the sink and what to keep in a nearby cabinet can feel like a logical problem. That's why every organization expert we spoke to recommended investing in an under-counter storage system. This can be a two-tier shelf, plastic bins, a lazy Susan rotating organizer, plastic drawers, or whatever is most practical for you and your space.

“It's always helpful to have something with stackable drawers or pull-outs under the sink so that items don't get lost in the cabinets,” says Sara West of South Coast Organizers. Although appearance usually plays a role, what matters most when storing under the sink is utility. “Under the sink usually means behind a cabinet door, so function is more important than style,” says Lindsay Melvin of Orchid Organizing.

LAUREY W. GLENN

Maximizing your under-sink storage space has an added benefit: clean countertops. “I love making the space under the bathroom sink more organized and practical by adding pull-out drawers,” says Marina Radlinski of Palm Beach Organized. “Because I like to keep the shelves as organized as possible, I store almost everything in them – makeup, hair products, hair accessories, lotions, feminine products and medications.”

To help you keep your bathroom clean and tidy, we've not only featured some functional under-the-sink storage spaces, but we've also spoken to home, organization and cleaning experts in the South and around the world to learn what should be stored under the sink and what can find a home elsewhere. Here are a few things that should be stored under a sink:

The necessities

“First and foremost, extra toilet paper,” says Melvin of Orchid Organizing. She also recommends keeping extra regularly needed toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, face wash, etc. However, bathrooms can be wet places, which is why Steve Evans of Memphis Maids recommends storing toilet paper or paper towels in a plastic bag or container. “If your sink drain breaks, it won’t ruin it,” he says.

Alison Gootee; Styling: Kate Malpeli

Cleaning products

If you have easy access to cleaning supplies, keeping your bathroom tidy is a breeze (just make sure kids can't access it). Toby Schulz, CEO and co-founder of Maid 2 Match, suggests storing cleaning products there, but “make sure there's nothing on the label that says they shouldn't be stored in an enclosed area.” He also recommends cleaning gloves and Keep spare trash bags under the sink to make cleanup easier. Schulz also recommends waiting for the cleaning products to dry before putting them back under the sink. “Don’t store wet items under your sink or mold could form,” he says.

Cleaning caddy

Steve Evans of Memphis Maids goes one step further and recommends storing a filled cleaning container under your bathroom sink if space allows. “This is perfect for having all of your cleaning products in a single container that you can carry around your house while cleaning,” he says. “If you have a large enough sink, you can also store cleaning product refills.”

Hair tools

Easy access to hair tools like a hairdryer and a flat iron can make morning prep feel a little more seamless. Instead of throwing your hairdryer and cord under the sink, Maid for You's Adriana Aziz recommends taking advantage of the cabinet's vertical space. “I actually got this tip from one of our long-term cleaners, she’s a big fan of using hooks. Adhesive hooks are easy to attach and remove, sturdy, and most importantly, inexpensive, allowing you to create a minimalist, organized look on a budget,” says Aziz. “When organizing our customers’ homes, we use them on the lower interior doors of bathroom vanities to store brushes, hair dryers and hair straighteners.”

Overstock

While some of our experts recommend storing excess items elsewhere, one of the first questions Tonia Tomlin of Dallas-based organizing company Sorted Out asks her clients is: “Are you a stay-at-home, lose-your-mind kind of person?” If that If that's the case, you'll need to put things under the sink that you don't use often.” She recommends using clear storage containers that are clearly labeled. “I call them Overstock Hair, Overstock Meds, Overstock Makeup,” says Tomlin. If you don't have room for an overflow under the sink, the containers can also be placed in a nearby cabinet.

First aid items

In an emergency, being able to quickly tell people where to find a plaster or compression bandage is crucial. Therefore, it can be helpful to store a first aid kit in it as it is easily and obviously accessible. “This is an area everyone knows—it's under the bathroom sink,” suggests Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council.

Products and medications you will actually use

“While some people believe that medications don't actually expire, the important thing about the expiration date is that the product is already several years old, which should be an indicator of how often the product is used,” says Ben Soreff of House 2 Home Organization. “The challenge with thinking that you're going to need Vaseline one day is, when that day comes in a few years, do you really want to use that nasty, hard-to-open jar?” If you need to throw away medications, throw them out Don't just throw it away, but ask your local pharmacy whether they have expired medication available for disposal.