I Used This Unexpected $10 Closet Must-Have to Organize the Hot Tub Under My Kitchen Sink

Maybe it’s the Aquarius in me, but I tend to think outside the box (literally) when organizing my home. I like to experiment with products, using them to hold things other than what they were originally designed or marketed for, because it is beneficial in many ways. Not only does this habit challenge me to be more creative, but it also saves me money because it often encourages reusing organizers instead of buying new ones. Which then prevents, by default, an excess of trash cans and baskets from becoming their own category of clutter in my home.

One such case is that I rather like to use shoe organizers, a closet staple, as under-the-sink storage gems. This idea came about a few years ago when I lived in an apartment with a dishwasher and realized I needed a place under the sink to store the dishwasher pods in addition to the other suspects usual: sponges, gloves, towels, etc. I’m a big fan of decanting things around the house because it’s pretty and saves space. So I looked for a system that would fit all of my dishwashing products while simultaneously fitting the bulky cabinet under the kitchen sink.

Clearline Small Stackable Shoe Drawer

$9.99 at Container Store

The problem with organizing under the sink (bathroom or kitchen) is that you face obstacles like plumbing, garbage disposal, or a fire extinguisher. You are generally limited by depth and width, but you do have plenty of space to organize yourself vertically. With that in mind, I figured stackable organizers would allow me to take advantage of the height of the cabinet and keep my supplies front and center. I currently didn’t have anything extra that I could reuse, so I headed to my local container store.

There I was, browsing the aisles like a kid in a candy store and shopping for an upcoming closet organization project. That’s when my eye caught the sliding shoe organizers and a light bulb went off. Of course, they are meant to keep shoes safe and stacked on closet shelves. But why couldn’t I use them to sort dishware in the kitchen?

I had already taken measurements under the sink and saved them in the Notes app on my phone. I found that four stackable shoe drawers would be the best solution for the space and my stuff.

Not only did they work as I imagined, but they continued to work while I moved into new apartments. Because of the accessibility of the boxes, it’s easy to go downstairs when I’m done washing dishes or loading the dishwasher and grab what I need. Since they’re clear, it’s also easy to scan and note when I’m low on supplies and need to restock.

If I ever want to reuse these organizers, I could use them to store makeup or hair accessories in the bathroom, store office supplies near my desk, or revert to their original intended use for storing shoes. What I mean is that the possibilities are endless when it comes to using organizational products, so don’t be afraid to play around with them and have fun with them in the process.

Buy: The Container Store Clearline Small Stackable Shoe Drawer$9.99