Under Sink Organization

I  don’t think I am alone in the fact that I am typically trying to pack lunches,  make breakfast,  dress kids, and at least ATTEMPT to look human.    Let’s face it,  morning itinerary is not conducive to “putting my face on”.  Especially, if I am running  up and down the stairs from my bathroom and then back down to the kitchen 18 different times. * I live in Florida, we sweat WHILE showering.  Running stadiums, doesn’t do us any favors.  So,  slowly the downstairs powder room,  became “my bathroom”.  It’s small, and I require A  LOT of stuff.

Let’s get started:  After trying to fit different size boxes, totes, drawers, and bins,  I ultimately decided this space was awkward! Even when using bins, the usable space was limited due to the plumbing hardware and that STUPID divider.

 

I then sanded down any residual wood frays and glue, and it was ready for primer and paint. Easy.

The next problem I had to tackle,  is the board I  just cut out  of the cabinet,  hid the gap between the cabinet doors.  So,  I needed a filler.  I measured and cut a piece of  1/4″ oak.   Double checked that it fit, and then primed and painted ( I had a can of spray primer sitting next to me,  that’s why it’s gray.) I actually  painted these cabinets a while back.  (You can see the tutorial here.)  I simply  painted it the matching color. *If you are doing this to factory stained cabinets,  you can either use the board you  just  cut out,  OR you will need to match the finish on your new board.

It is then a simple task of fastening the new board to the back of the cabinet. I  pre-drilled  my holes, and then used 3/4″ wood screws.  (The length of screw will be dependent on the width of your boards and cabinets etc.)

Now,  when you shut the cabinets, there will not be a gap! * Something to keep in mind;  attach the board to door you would naturally open  second.  All that is left now, is to add a coat of paint. At this point you have created a large open space that is easier to access, and can easily store more…  I decided to take it a step further. I not only wanted it to be organized, but “pretty” as well.  So, while  I had the paint out  I repainted the inside of the cabinet.   I  used the same process I used  on  the “Decorative Kitchen Cabinet”.

It looked so clean and bright, I loved it!   I still wanted to add a shelf though.  I typically use totes, but I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of stacking and unstacking.  Who has time for that?  I used a very easy method that is typically seen in kitchen cabinets.  I used cabinet shelf  supports, they are very easy to use. Mark  the height and depth of your shelf and drill 4 holes, then  pop in these small  shelf supports, easy!

Now, I am a little bit of an organization nut,  so I made my shelf to accommodate clear totes.  BUT  look at how pretty it looks!

So, when your kids are freaking out over who gets to use the  “blue bowl”, and you realize  that you were suppose to bake 2 dozen gluten free/dye free cupcakes… AT LEAST  you have a little piece of sanity.  When you are throwing on your mascara (only because if someone asks you ONE MORE TIME if you a “not feeling well?” when you don’t wear it… someone might get a sucker punch to the throat.) you can feel like there is a LITTLE bit of sanity in your life. So, take luck my friends. Go though the headache of organizing now,  to save your sanity later.  (That, and maybe save a few innocent “well-meaning”  folks their  larynxes.)  Take Luck, Corey

Want to learn how I did this ?  Check it out here!