7 Things You Should Store Under The Bathroom Sink, According To Experts

No matter the size of your bathroom, storage always seems to be in short supply. Picking and choosing what should be stored under the sink and what should be stored in a nearby closet can feel like a logic problem. That’s why every organizational expert we spoke with recommended investing in an under-sink storage organization system. That could be a two-tier shelf, plastic bins, a revolving lazy Susan organizer, plastic drawers, or whatever is most practical for you and your space.

“Something with stacking drawers or pull-outs is always helpful under the sink so items don't get lost in the cabinets,” says Sara West of South Coast Organizers. While looks usually matter, when it comes to under-sink storage, usefulness is key. “Most of the time, under the sink, also means behind a cabinet door, so function is more important than style,” says Lindsay Melvin of Orchid Organizing. 

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

In addition to some functional under-sink storage, to help you keep your bathroom neat and tidy, we spoke to home, organization, and cleaning experts across the South and around the world to get their takes on what should be kept under the bathroom sink and what can find a home elsewhere. Here are a few things that should be stored under a bathroom sink:

The Necessities

“First and foremost, extra toilet paper,” says Orchid Organizing’s Melvin. She also recommends stashing extras of regularly needed toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, face washes, etc. That said, bathrooms can be wet places that’s why Steve Evans of Memphis Maids, recommends storing toilet paper or paper towels inside a plastic bag or container. “If your sink drain happens to break, they won’t get ruined,” he says.

Cleaning Products

Having easy access to cleaning products can make it a breeze to keep your bathroom tidy (but do make sure kids can’t access them). Toby Schulz, CEO & Co-founder, of Maid 2 Match suggests storing cleaning products there, but “make sure there’s nothing on the label that indicates it should not be kept in an enclosed area.” He also recommends keeping cleaning gloves and replacement garbage bags under the sink to make it easy to tidy. Schulz also recommends waiting for cleaning supplies to dry before returning them under the sink. “Do not store wet items under your bathroom sink as they could develop mold,” he says. 

Cleaning Caddy

Going one step further, Steve Evans of Memphis Maids recommends tucking a stocked cleaning caddy under your bathroom sink, if space allows. “This is perfect to have all your cleaning products in a single container that you are able to carry around your home when you’re cleaning,” he says. “If you have a decently-sized sink, you can also store cleaning products refills.”

Hair Tools

Having easy access to hair tools like a hair dryer and straightener can make getting ready in the morning feel a little smoother. Instead of chucking your hair dryer and cord under the sink, Adriana Aziz of Maid for You recommends making use of the cabinet’s vertical space. “I actually got this tip from one of our long-term cleaners, she's a huge fan of using hooks. Adhesive hooks are easy to install and remove, they're sturdy, and best of all they're inexpensive which means you can create a minimalist, organized look on a budget.,” Aziz says. “When organizing our client's homes we use them on the lower inside doors of bathroom vanities to store brushes, hair dryers, and hair straighteners.” 

Overstock Items

While some of our experts recommend keeping overstock items elsewhere, one of the first questions Tonia Tomlin of Dallas-based organizing company, Sorted Out, asks her clients is: “Are you an out-of-sight, out-of-mind person? If that’s the case, then you need to place things below the sink that you don’t need often.” She recommends using clear storage bins that are clearly marked. “I label them, Overstock Hair, Overstock Meds, Overstock Makeup,” says Tomlin. If you don’t have room under the sink for overflow, the bins would work just as well in a nearby closet.

First Aid Supplies

Being able to quickly tell people where to find a Band-Aid or compression bandage in an emergency is key, so tucking a first aid kit inside can be helpful as it’s easy and obvious to access. “This is an area everyone knows about—‘it’s under the bathroom sink’,” suggests Allen Rathey, Director of the Indoor Health Council. 

Products And Medicine You’ll Actually Use

“While some people feel that medicine doesn't really expire, the important thing about the expiration date is that the item is now several years old, which should be an indicator of how often the item is used,” says Ben Soreff of House 2 Home Organizing. “The challenge with thinking that you will need Vaseline someday is that when that day comes, years from now, are you really going to want to use that gross, hard-to-open jar?” If you do have medicine to get rid of, don’t just chuck it, instead check with your local pharmacy to see if they take expired medications for disposal.