The issue of storing household chemicals, sponges, cleaning wipes and personal hygiene products is one of the most difficult when organizing storage in the kitchen and bathroom. Where to hide all the important little things so that they are always at hand, but at the same time do not spoil the interior with their unaesthetic appearance? The cabinet under the sink will come to the rescue, which is often used as a place to collect unnecessary trash.
Interior design studio ReRooms will show you how to transform the space under the sink into a functional storage system that will compactly accommodate everything you need: from towels to detergents.
Narrow shelves
Pipes in the cabinet under the sink can interfere with the placement of storage boxes - narrow shelves on the counter will solve this problem. They can be placed around pipes to make the most of a small space. Place items on shelves depending on the frequency of their use: in front, place those that are needed every day.
A white plastic shelf under the sink may suit your needs.
Shelf for sink
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Corner cabinets
Depending on the size of the kitchen and the design of the furniture, the cabinet for the sink is also selected. It can be of two types: straight and angular. The second option differs in the shape of the module. It can be L-shaped or beveled at an angle of 45 degrees from the side of the facade. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is chosen depending on the convenience of the owners and the interior of the kitchen.
For a small kitchen, a corner cabinet under the sink can be an excellent solution. The L-shaped design usually has two doors that open separately from each other or like an accordion. In order to rationally use the internal space of such a cabinet, it is better to provide special carousel shelves for storing household chemicals, dishes and other kitchen items.
A cabinet with a facade beveled at an angle of 45 degrees has a more comfortable interior space for use. Shelves or drawers, as well as other retractable structures, can be located here. The large size of the door allows you to conveniently use the kitchen module under the sink, and its contents are clearly visible and accessible.
Shelving with baskets
If your under-sink cabinet is very narrow, consider an organizer with drawers. This can be a roll-out metal structure with hanging baskets or racks on legs with spacious sections.
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Photo: goodhousekeeping.com
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Choose a storage organization system depending on the size of the cabinet under the sink. A frame with mesh baskets from IKEA may suit your needs.
Frame ALGOT
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Design Features
Typically, the design of a sink cabinet uses one non-functional panel, which is attached immediately under the sink, and a facade. In fact, the space that surrounds the sink can be put to good use. For this, a box is used instead of a panel. It has an unusual U-shape, that is, a recess in the middle, in the place where the siphon and drain pass.
Unlike standard boxes, this option is significantly inferior to them in useful volume, but it can be adapted for storing household chemicals, sponges, rags, brushes, paper towels, etc.
This is convenient and practical, since the contents will always be at hand when washing dishes and other cleaning, but at the same time, containers with cleaning products will be hidden from view in the closet.
This drawer is convenient not only in the kitchen. In the bathroom, its use will also be very useful, because under the sink you can store a lot of different things: soap, razors, combs, toilet paper, shampoos, gels, etc. Just be aware that the fastenings of the retractable structure do not tolerate excessive overload, so you should not overcrowd the drawer with a large number of items.
Under the top drawer with household chemicals there may be another one, which usually has a larger usable area than in the first case. It can easily accommodate a trash can and cleaning supplies in large packages and bottles. On the inside of the cabinet door you can attach hooks and holders for napkins, towels, cleaning rags and even shelves for storing various small items: gloves, bags, etc. The presence of drawers under the sink will make the design of the kitchen unit organic, and the interior stylish and attractive.
Is it possible to integrate household appliances under the sink?
Some owners of compact kitchens are interested in the ability to integrate small household appliances into the cabinet under the sink. Due to the small size of the room, it is not always possible to find space for all the household appliances that you would like to have available.
In general, it is better to build the equipment into the cabinets adjacent to the sink. This location is ideal for a dishwasher or washing machine. Due to the presence of a drain and a siphon, there will be very little space left in the cabinet under the sink, and it should be used rationally.
In addition, there is a possibility of water leakage, which means this can cause damage to the equipment located under the sink.
So, if desired, you can adapt the lower tier of the cabinet with a sink for small built-in household appliances or storage of items such as a blender, chopper, juicer, toaster, etc. But it’s more rational, practical and safer to use adjacent cabinets and cabinets for them.
To get a truly ergonomic and comfortable workspace, you should spend a lot of time organizing space in your kitchen cabinets. For this purpose, there are various pull-out and roll-out elements, shelves, mesh containers, holders, etc. A drawer under the sink will allow you to rationally use the space inside the cabinet and conveniently store cleaning products and other kitchen utensils.
Purpose
A kitchen sink cabinet is a fairly functional piece of furniture for a room:
- allows you to maintain the design of the room in a single style, making it attractive without compromising the aesthetics;
- hides all pipes and communications, giving the kitchen a neat appearance;
- the internal space can be practically used by placing a trash can there (or securing the container to the door wall);
- for easy storage of cleaning products and various household items, manufacturers offer cabinets with internal shelves;
- cabinets can be designed for built-in appliances, for example, a dishwasher with a width of 45 cm and a height of 50 cm to 60 cm can be compactly placed under the sink, although this is not entirely convenient, since you will have to tinker with altering the siphon, the best option is next to the sink;
- In addition to water pipes, you can attach a water filter or a food waste grinder to the mixer and sink, or even install a small water heater, if size allows.
It is advisable to purchase a cabinet with a sink without a solid back wall, this will simplify the installation, installation, and connection of the water supply system in the kitchen. To make cleaning easier in the future, leave a small space between the floor and the cabinet.
Rules for a successful purchase
Corner cabinet for sink in the same color as the entire kitchen set
To choose the right model not only by external characteristics, but also by quality, you need to know about all the parameters of the product. The following tips for choosing will help you not to regret spending money.
- Compliance with the general style. The cabinet should be combined with the kitchen set and the design of the room.
- Pay attention to the fittings. Plastic, painted parts will not last long and will quickly lose their attractive appearance.
- Carefully inspect the cuts, joints, and corners. The furniture should not have cracks, scratches, chips, or swollen areas.
- Model selection. In this case, you need to be guided by practicality and the area of your own kitchen. If you have a heated floor, then the product must be equipped with legs, like the entire set. In a small area, corner options will help save square meters.
Material selection
When choosing material for kitchen furniture, you need to be guided by two main factors:
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to pollution;
- strength.
Among the options offered in the store you can find both very expensive and budget ones.
Materials for making kitchen furniture
- Chipboard. This is the cheapest type of wood board, which comes in a wide variety of colors. Therefore, you can choose the right one for almost any kitchen set made of a similar material. Its disadvantage is that if there are even minor and shallow scratches or cracks, moisture will easily penetrate inside and wear will occur faster.
- MDF. More dense and, therefore, more durable material. Resistant to steam and moisture. The surface of such a plate has a smoother appearance. More expensive than chipboard, but in terms of price-quality ratio it is optimal.
- solid wood. Furniture made from natural wood has a high cost. With a high-quality moisture-repellent treatment, it is most durable and resistant to damage, unlike the previous two options. A solid wood under-sink cabinet will be heavy and possibly impractical in a small kitchen.
To protect and impart additional wear-resistant properties to the material, lamination and polymer coating are used. These technologies also give facades a more attractive appearance.
Railing
A practical way to increase the internal space under the sink. Allows you to place towels and rags without spoiling the aesthetic appearance of the kitchen. Most roof rails need to be fixed using self-tapping screws, but there are designs on sale that are simply “slipped” onto the door.
The railing can be supplemented with removable hooks.
Proper organization of space under the sink
For a separate cabinet
In the photo there is a cabinet under the sink with pull-out baskets and drawers.
Modern kitchen sets, as a rule, have one common countertop. However, not everyone has managed to change their furniture in accordance with these trends; in addition, there are fans of retro styles and separate cabinets.
One way or another, many sinks are installed on free-standing tables. In most cases, the space under the sink is occupied by a trash can and various household items: detergents, plungers, tools, etc. In this case, the cabinet itself has only a bottom board, which plays the role of the bottom of the inner container, and a door.
A typical retro cabinet uses space irrationally.
This is not a very rational use of the space under the sink. The capabilities of modern fittings allow you to place pull-out baskets, various drawers, wall holders for towels or bottles and other similar details that will significantly increase the convenience of working in the kitchen.
A good, spacious cabinet allows you to store the following items under the sink:
- Dishes, knives, forks and spoons, cups and any other cutlery;
- Towels, aprons, rags, tablecloths, etc.;
- Household chemicals, detergents, dishwasher tablets, pet food;
- Garbage container or trash can;
- Box for vegetables or fruits;
- Various tools.
An example of a rational organization.
The basket under the sink can be placed permanently on a shelf or fasteners, or can be pulled out. Obviously, pull-out baskets for the kitchen under the sink are much more convenient and practical, since you don’t have to bend over and crawl headlong under the sink to get something from the far corners of the bedside table.
Retractable structures are much more convenient.
Important! In order not to store a trash can and clean dishes, vegetables or towels in one compartment, the cabinet is divided into two sectors. In the sector with garbage you can place various chemicals and tools.
For a set with a tabletop
When every nuance is thought out.
Now let's talk about a more current and modern option for arranging a kitchen, in which all the furniture is a single ensemble, and the work area is covered with a common countertop, into which a sink is embedded. The price of such a set will be higher, but it also has a lot of advantages.
Here it is important to clarify where exactly the sink is located - in a corner or near the wall.
Let's consider the features of each case:
- The direct arrangement is convenient because access to the space under the sink is easier, since it faces the functional area. Organizing a system of drawers is easier from a structural point of view; some craftsmen even do it with their own hands;
- The corner arrangement is distinguished by a more complex configuration of the fittings and the moving elements themselves, since the space is turned at an angle to the front part of the set . On the other hand, there is more space under a sink located in the corner and, with proper organization, the space underneath is more spacious.
A properly equipped corner cabinet can hold more.
Here you can also store any necessary items and supplies, vegetables, dishes and various useful household items. Modern furniture manufacturers have found many successful solutions, thanks to which even a small kitchen can accommodate everything you need in the most convenient accessibility, while remaining sufficiently free and convenient for work.
Maximum convenience and thoughtful use of space are the hallmarks of good kitchen furniture.
Important! When choosing a headset, special attention should be paid to the quality of the fittings. The most successful are metal structures from European manufacturers.
Baskets
Metal baskets are a stylish solution that will make it easy to keep your kitchen tidy. Their main advantage is strength. In addition, using mesh structures, you immediately see their contents, which you don’t have to search for long.
They can not only be stacked on top of each other, but also hung - on the side of a base cabinet or on the door.
Ideas for using cabinet space under the kitchen sink
In many kitchens, the space under the sink is used only for storing a trash can. With proper organization of space, you can arrange a convenient utility unit.
Plastic containers
Plastic containers are suitable for storing bottles of household chemicals and detergents. To effectively use space, choose square or rectangular accessories that are placed on top of each other. Containers with lids do not get wet in case of leakage and protect the contents from moisture.
Narrow shelves
Pipes located under the sink can interfere with the placement of boxes, so to solve the problem, install narrow shelves on the counter. To maximize space utilization, they are placed around pipes. Kitchen utensils are placed on shelves based on frequency of use - those that are needed daily are in the foreground.
Sometimes shelves are made from chipboard. To make them last longer, they need to be kept dry and protected from swelling. You can use clear furniture varnish to protect the wood. Only dry items are placed on the shelves. Lamination of edges is required to extend service life. Construction stores sell adhesive tape that needs to be ironed with a hot iron. You need to protect not only the shelves, but also the cabinet walls, for example, with self-adhesive film. It is glued so that it extends slightly onto the side walls.
Rotating stand
To have direct access to things, install a rotating stand on which kitchen towels, dish sponges, and detergents are placed. Thanks to this device, you will not need to move all the objects to get the one you need.
Shelving with baskets
An organizer with drawers is suitable for a narrow cabinet under the sink. This can be a roll-out metal structure with hanging baskets or a rack on legs with spacious sections.
Rack with open shelves
These are open shelves on supports that do not need to be secured to the doors or inside the cabinet. They come in one piece and prefabricated. It is better to choose models that are adjustable in height, since they can be changed depending on the size of the cabinet and supplemented with shelves.
Drawer
Two guides, a drawer of suitable dimensions - and the storage system under the sink or sink in the kitchen will become even more convenient. An alternative to a drawer is to immediately choose a cabinet with pull-out sections and make the necessary cutouts for the pipes.
Hooks
Hooks are placed on the door or side walls of the cabinet, hanging gloves or towels on them that were previously stored on the sink. A couple of hooks can be used to attach a small basket or bag for cleaning products. For those who don't want to drill into the door, there are self-adhesive options.
A cabinet door is a great place to store rubber gloves. Instead of hooks, you can glue a clothespin or a paper clip.
Bin
To save useful space, when storing a round trash can in the kitchen under the sink, replace it with a square or rectangular shape. This way the cabinet will even visually look more orderly.
Railings
On the rails you can place gloves or sponges for cleaning, as well as hang bottles of detergent. When dirty, they are easy to remove and wash. An alternative to roof rails is a rod installed along the width of the cabinet under the sink, saving space for those who have a large supply of detergents. This can be any crossbar, including wood, but it must be treated with protection - stain or varnish.
Drawer under a cabinet or in a basement
To organize the storage of items under the kitchen sink that are used the least often, make a basement drawer under the cabinet. It holds spare towels, napkins, pot lids, baking sheets, and cutting boards. Box height – 10-15 cm.
Organizers
Special modules that are used to store small items. Can be metal, plastic, wood. They can be found at any hardware store. The most convenient are metal basket organizers, which are fixed with special screws. They are made of aluminum, chrome-plated stainless steel or powder-coated steel. Aluminum baskets are considered the most durable; the rest rust.
Organizers can also be screwed onto the inside of the door. It is better not to store anything heavy, otherwise it may sag. Before fastening, you need to make sure that the length of the screw does not exceed the thickness of the door, otherwise there is a risk of drilling a through hole.
Organizers for packages are a lightweight, spacious accessory that is easy to install and can be used for other purposes than its intended purpose. For example, they can be used for storing kitchen utensils, rags, and towels.
Top shelf under the sink
You can make a U-shaped drawer right under the sink - this is a special section that is designed for the area around the drain. For convenient use, the regular door is replaced with two halves. A regular spacious box is installed in the lower part, and a U-shaped section in the upper part. Wire boxes are most convenient because they are well ventilated and can be used to dry dish sponges and damp rags.
Divider inserts
A simple device that significantly increases the capacity of the cabinet under the sink. Helps out in situations where the location of communications does not allow installing an additional shelf.
Folding shelf for sponges
Custom-made kitchen sets can be supplemented with a folding shelf for storing sponges and cleaning rags. This way they are always at hand and do not take up space under the sink.
Hanging baskets
Hanging baskets are great for storing cleaning supplies. When you open the cabinet door, everything you need is immediately at hand, so it will be easier to clean up the kitchen.
Hooks
The simplest solution that does not require any investment or special manipulations. The hooks can be easily glued to a degreased surface and, if necessary, removed without leaving any traces. Usually, not too heavy items are placed on them: brushes, gloves and cleaning rags, but if desired, you can hang a plastic basket or shelf on a row of hooks.
Containers
If you want to organize the space under the sink as ergonomically as possible, buy transparent rectangular containers with lids. Choose different sizes to suit individual needs and stack them on top of each other.
You will be able to adjust the degree of filling of the space and see what is stored inside each container. The containers will not get wet in case of leakage and will protect the contents from moisture.
Rack
These open shelves with supports do not need to be fixed to the doors or inside the cabinet. It is easy to find both solid and prefabricated structures on sale - the second option is preferable.
Choose racks that are adjustable in height: they can be changed in accordance with the dimensions of the cabinet and supplemented with shelves.
Thanks to useful devices for every taste and budget, the space under the kitchen sink can be turned into a convenient storage system, taking care not only of your own comfort, but also of the aesthetics of the interior.
Dimensions of cabinets
Standard sink cabinets usually have three main dimensions - height, width, depth.
- Height. It should match the rest of the cabinets in the headset. This is done to make it easier to work in the kitchen and create an ergonomic space. The standard height of kitchen modules is usually 850 mm from the floor. All cabinets are covered with a common tabletop, in which a hole is cut for the sink. The only exception is a cabinet with an overhead sink. In this case, the module is simply attached to the rest of the furniture.
- Width. This size may vary depending on the size of the sink, but it also has its own standards. Typically, the width of a sink cabinet can be from 600 to 1000 mm and even more. The wide cabinet can have two hinged fronts or drawers.
- Depth. The standard depth of all modules in a kitchen set is 600 mm. This also applies to the sink cabinet. Changing this parameter may affect the comfort and ergonomics of kitchen furniture.
