As you tackle your organizational goals room by room, you’re probably realizing how big of a task you’ve signed up for. There are so many little spaces we forget about that seemingly develop clutter overnight. The best way to manage what can be an exhaustive list of tasks is to break it down into bite-sized pieces. For example, instead of starting with the entire kitchen, start with organizing underneath the sink. Then, once that’s done, go up north and organize above the kitchen sink.
Whether you’ve got a cabinet or an open concept up there, Shop TODAY spoke to three professional organizers to get their insight on how to make the space work for you.
Tips for organizing above the sink | Best products for organizing above the sink, according to experts | Editor picks | How we chose | Meet the experts
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Tips for organizing above the sink
Organizing a cabinet above the sink
Similar to organizing underneath the sink, you’ll want to start by decluttering your cabinet space above the sink. “Decluttering is the name of the game,” Shantae Duckworth, owner of Shantaeize Your Space, quipped.
Once you’re done removing unnecessary items, it's time to determine how you want to utilize that space. “The possibilities are endless, for sure, with that space because it is pretty decent sized cabinetry and it’s a great way to keep things out of reach of children,” she added (if you plan to use it as a medicine cabinet). Other ways she mentioned using your cabinet for included storing cleaning supplies or your go-to coffee essentials.
Tiffany Smith, owner of SimplyPut Organizing, also recommends using the cabinet for storing additional supplies that you often use at the sink like dish soap or detergent. “Even though it’s behind a cabinet door, I like to have everything still organized ... inside of a tray or some type of a container. It keeps items from spilling over and creating clutter,” she tells us.
However, Smith notes that how you use your cabinet will ultimately depend on your specific kitchen layout and your needs. If it makes sense to use that cabinet for spices, use it for spices! If you decide to go that route, Smith likes to take her organization one step further and decant her spices into labeled glass jars.
Organizing open space above the sink
If you have an open concept or a window above your kitchen sink, you can have a little more fun with how you organize this area.
Ford, Smith and Duckworth all mention using this area to store things like a dish drying rack, mugs, drinking glass sets or other essential dinnerware. Mugs can be organized neatly with the help of a shelf board, Smith suggests. Or, if there are cabinets on either side of the sink, Duckworth suggests playing off those and turning the sides into wine glass racks.
If you'd rather use this area to elevate your kitchen aesthetic, find a decorative item that can serve double duty like an attention-grabbing fruit basket. However, if you have enough room for everything in other places and don’t have anything left to store above your kitchen sink, don’t feel pressured to utilize that space.
“Sometimes, less is better. I don’t like clutter. I don’t like to put things on walls just because. I want it to make sense and look intentional and look nice,” Smith says.
Best products for organizing above the sink, according to experts
Anchor Hocking Stackable Square Glass Canisters
- Easy to clean
- Stackable design
- Some say they're not airtight
Best for: Snacks | Material: Glass
Ford likes these clear containers to organize your cabinets and keep everything looking uniform. Ranging in size and price, they give the impression that you shelled out the big bucks without actually having to do so.
Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact 2-Tier Knife Organizer
- Lots of storage space
- Easy to clean
- Easily fits in drawers or on counters
- Some say it doesn't fit all their knives, depending on the grip size
Best for: Knives | Material: Plastic
Keep your knife sets safely and neatly stowed away with this organizer. Smith prefers to have her countertops as clear as possible, and a compact block like this one she recommended keeps them out of sight.
Madesmart Lazy Susan
- Spins even with heavy items
- Non-slip surface
- Some say it's smaller than they would like
Best for: Spices and condiments | Material: Non-slip rubber
Another mention of Smith’s, this turntable keeps it basic with a white colorway that is sure to fit into the aesthetic of pretty much any kitchen. The reviews are filled with happy customers who are raving about how well it worked for them, with some even saying they went back for more.
iDesign Linus Lazy Susan Turntable
- Turns smoothly
- Sturdy material
- Ease of access
- Some say it's difficult to clean
Best for: Spices/condiments | Material: Plastic
When looking for a Lazy Susan, Smith trust brands like iDesign and Madesmart to provide high-quality options. She suggests this one for not just spices, but also for organizing other ingredients like oils. "I actually love to use the turntables for storing them because most of the time you have multiple and if you put it in a turntable, it’s easy to access," she tells us.
Brightroom Plastic Turn Table
- Rotates smoothly
- Non-slip surface
- Some say the dividers can limit space for larger items
Best for: Spices and condiments | Material: Plastic
Brightroom, Target's newest in-home organization line, caught Smith's attention with this plastic turntable. It has higher walls than a typical Lazy Susan, which is ideal for keeping things from spilling out when you turn it to get what you need.
Pengke Stainless Steel Rotation Fruit Bowl
- Style and design
- Holds lots of fruit
- Some say it's difficult to assemble
Best for: Produce | Material: Stainless steel
This is another one of those nifty tools that, when not in use, can be rolled up and put away. Smith likes this for its ability to serve as both a decorative and functional item. “It makes my fruit look nice when it’s out and I can put it away when I don’t have any fruit,” she tells us.
Thomson Pottery Basic White Stoneware Mug (Set of 8)
- Shape and size
- Holds a lot of liquid
- Durability
- Some say they're a little heavy
Best for: Hot drinks | Material: Ceramic
Another all-white set that’s recommended by Ford, these mugs not only look great but are an exceptional value. For less than $20, you’ll get eight 16 oz. mugs — perfect for the person who always finds themselves playing host.
iDesign Linus Plastic Stadium Spice Rack
- Takes up little space
- Ease of use
- High edges
- Too small for larger jars
Best for: Spices | Material: Plastic
If you want to try a different approach to organizing your spices, try this three-tier rack that’s similar to one which comes recommended by Smith (now unavailable).
Aozita Glass Spice Jars
- Perfect size
- Keeps spices fresh
- Comes with pre-written labels
- Some say they seem fragile
Best for: Spices | Material: Glass
Smith likes these jars for decanting spices and keeping them organized in your cabinet or in a pull-out drawer. They are also bestsellers and have over 21,000 verified five-star ratings. The set comes with 24 jars, shaker lids and metal caps, two kinds of waterproof pre-printed labels and a funnel.
The Home Edit 5-Piece Laundry Edit
- Affordability
- Edges keep items in place
- Some say it's not as useful for heavy items
Best for: Cleaning supplies | Material: Plastic
Although it’s technically meant for the laundry room, Duckworth loves this set for organizing in the kitchen. “You can totally use [it] to maximize that cabinetry if you want to use it for cleaning supplies or coffee,” she says.
Kraus KRM-10 Over-The-Sink Multipurpose Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack
- Sturdiness
- Easy to clean
- Space saving design
- Some say it's not as strong when used for heavier items
Best for: Dishes/cups | Material: Silicone
To help keep countertops clutter-free, Smith raved about this roll-up dish drying rack that is laid flat over the sink that eliminates the need for a traditional stationary one. Recently having purchased one for herself, she loves how easy it is to clean — it’s dishwasher-safe — and stow. “If you lack [kitchen] space or you need some extra space, maybe you’re hosting a dinner or something, it’s easy to roll up and store it somewhere else,” she said.
YouCopia UpSpace Water Bottle Organizer
- Lots of space
- Allows for easy organization
- Ease of assembly
- Some say it's flimsy when holding heavier bottles
Best for: Water bottles | Material: Steel/plastic
If you want to store water bottles above your sink, an organizer like this one Smith suggested is an easy way to do it. By laying your water bottles down flat, not only can you store more bottles at once, but you also avoid the potential to make a colossal amount of noise when they inevitably topple over.
Threshold Stoneware Westfield Dinnerware Set
- Sleek design
- Dishwasher safe
- Some say they scratch easily
Best for: Food | Material: Stoneware
For your open space above/behind the sink, Ford recommends keeping a classic white stoneware set there. She calls it creating a “Pinterest-pretty” look that keeps everything crisp and clean. This particular set she recommended comes with a dozen pieces: four cereal bowls, four salad plates and four dinner plates.
Lynk Professional Slide Out Double Spice Rack Upper Cabinet Organizer
- Ease of installation
- Glides smoothly
- Can be assembled for both shallow and deep cabinets
- Some say it's hard to reach items placed in the back
Best for: Spices | Material: Steel
Once your spices are decanted and your jars are labeled accordingly, keep them looking neat and orderly in this sliding space rack recommended by Smith. This particular rack from Lynk Professional comes in five different sizes that range in size and width.
Outshine Extra Large Bread Box
- Keeps bread fresh
- High quality design
- Some say it's not as tall as they'd like
Best for: Bread | Material: Steel
If you like to leave bread out on the counters, Smith recommends using a bread box — this one, to be exact — to store it in a way that's both stylish and functional. She likes that you can store several loaves of bread in here at once and, essentially, hide them in plain sight.
Editors' picks
Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact Utensil Organizer
- Holds large amount of utensils
- Compact size
- Sleek design
- Doesn't have non-stick bottom
Best for: Utensils | Material: Plastic
It’s common for small apartments to come with little to no drawer space in the kitchen. Whether you have drawers or not, this compact utensil organizer makes it easy to store utensils anywhere, even if that’s on the counter or in the cabinet.
“I just moved into a tiny apartment, and there are no utensil drawers in the kitchen. This tiered organizer makes it simple to store my utensils," Shop TODAY editor Amanda Fama says.
VAEHOLD Adhesive Acrylic Spice Rack
- Ease of assembly
- Sturdy design
- Convenience
- Some say it's hard to remove
Best for: Spices | Material: Plastic
Limited drawer or shelf space? Try these adhesive spice racks that stick to any wall in your kitchen. Whether its the side of your refrigerator or the wall in front of your stove, these spice racks are a real space-saver. Plus, you won't have to dig through drawers or shelves to find your spices while cooking.
Amazon Basics Stackable Metal Kitchen Storage Shelves
- Simple to set up
- Pleasing appearance
- Some say it's not too sturdy
Best for: Dinnerware, dish sets | Material: Metal
If you have spacious cabinets without any built-in shelves, these stackables are perfect for added organization. You can also adjust the height of them, making them the perfect storage solution for plates, cups or bowls of any size.
OXO Good Grips 3-PC Small Square Short POP Container Set
- Easy to open
- Keeps food fresh
- Square shape
- Not 100% airtight
Best for: Snacks | Material: Glass
Great for snacks or baking ingredients like sugar or flour, this container set makes cabinet or counter organization simple. Plus, they're conveniently designed with an easy-to-open lid.
"I love how the top can be opened by just the push of your hand instead of having to try unclasp a top which is so great for when I’m cooking and need to open a container but don’t have a second to wash my hands," Shop TODAY editor Vivien Moon says.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team interviewed three professional organizers to round up the best products to organize your kitchen. We spoke to them about maximizing available space, decluttering cabinets and the best material and quality products.
We also asked our editors to share their favorite organizers based on personal experience to create a selection that works for kitchens of all shapes and sizes.
Meet the experts
- Shantae Duckworth, owner of Shantaeize Your Space, is a professional home organizer based in Seattle, Washington.
- Tiffany Smith is the founder of SimplyPut Organizing, a professional organizing company based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Alexia Ford, founder and owner of Georgia-based Passion Organizing, helps clients pack and unpack, clean and organize their homes.
