Can I use Kmart storage baskets under the sink if the pipe is in the way?

Yes, but only if the basket sits on a raised platform that clears the pipe, or if the basket is narrow enough to fit in the side gap. A standard wide basket will tilt or wedge against the pipe and waste space.

What should I not store under the sink?

Avoid storing food, medications, or items that can be damaged by moisture, such as paper documents. Also keep flammable products like aerosol sprays away from hot water pipes, and store heavy bottles on the floor, not on a shelf that could sag.

How do I measure for a door caddy?

Measure the door's width and the distance from the top edge to the first hinge. The caddy's hook must clear the hinge, and the caddy itself must be narrower than the door's interior face so it does not hit the cabinet frame when closed.

Do I need to drill holes for Kmart under-sink storage?

Most Kmart under-sink organizers are freestanding or use hook-over-door designs, so no drilling is required. For a more permanent solution, a screw-in wire rack on the door needs a screwdriver but is still a simple DIY job.

Kmart Under Sink Storage Ideas: A Practical Checklist for Real Cabinets

Why Under-Sink Storage Needs a Different Approach

The cabinet under a sink is the most awkward storage space in a home. It has a curved pipe trap, supply lines, and often a garbage disposal or filter housing that cuts through the usable area. Standard shelf organizers and stackable bins assume a flat, empty box, which is why they often end up in a landfill after failing here.

The trick is to work with the obstacles rather than against them. You need items that hang from the cabinet door, slot into the narrow gap behind the pipes, or sit on a raised platform that clears the plumbing. Kmart's range includes several products that fit these specific shapes, and the goal of this checklist is to match each product to the exact job it does best.

Measure the height from the cabinet floor to the bottom of the sink basin, and the depth from front to back.
Identify which items you actually use weekly versus monthly; only the weekly items deserve prime reachable spots.
Note the position of the pipe trap; it usually sits at the back or center, leaving two side pockets of space.

Open cabinet under a sink showing pipes and scattered cleaning supplies

The Door-Mounted Caddy for Daily Reach

The inside of the cabinet door is vertical, flat, and usually empty. That makes it the best spot for the items you reach for most often: spray bottles, scrub brushes, and small cloths. A door caddy that hooks over the top edge or screws into the door panel turns wasted air into usable storage.

Kmart sells a clear plastic door caddy with adjustable slots, and it earns its place because it keeps the bottle nozzles pointed down and away from the hinges. When you open the door, everything is visible at eye level, so you do not have to dig behind the pipe trap to find the all-purpose cleaner. Mount it on the side opposite the hinges so the weight does not strain the door over time.

Caddy type	Best for	Why it works
Over-the-door hook caddy	Spray bottles, brushes	No drilling; holds weight on the door top edge
Screw-in wire rack	Heavier bottles, scrub pads	More secure for frequent opening and closing
Pocket organizer with suction cups	Cloths, gloves, small sponges	Flexible; works on smooth cabinet doors only

Raised Platforms to Clear the Pipe Trap

The pipe trap creates a U-shaped curve that blocks the back half of the floor. A flat bin placed there will wobble or sit at an angle, wasting the space above the curve. A raised platform or a shelf that bridges over the pipe lets you use the full depth of the cabinet.

Kmart's bamboo or plastic riser shelves are the right tool here. Set one across the pipe so its feet sit on the cabinet floor on either side of the trap. This gives you a stable surface for a cleaning caddy or a stack of cloths, while the space underneath still holds a shallow tray for drip pans or spare sponges. Measure the height of the pipe's highest point before buying; the riser must clear it by at least a couple of centimeters.

Wire shelf positioned over the curved drain pipe inside a cabinet

Narrow Slide-Out Trays for the Side Gaps

On each side of the pipe trap, there is usually a gap of 15 to 25 centimeters. That space is too narrow for a standard basket but perfect for a slim slide-out tray or a magazine file turned on its side. These gaps are ideal for long, flat items like baking sheets of cleaning cloths, or for spare rolls of paper towel.

Kmart's clear plastic drawer organizers, meant for cutlery, work well here when turned vertically. They slide in and out easily because their flat base rides over the cabinet floor, and their divided sections keep sponges separate from brushes. Alternatively, a narrow wire CD rack, repurposed, holds spray bottles lying on their side, which stops them from rolling into the back corner where they get forgotten.

Measure the gap width at the front and back; pipes often angle, so the gap narrows near the wall.
Choose trays with a lip or handle on the front edge so you can pull them out without reaching over the pipe.
Store the least-used items in the very back of the side gap, and the daily sponges near the front.

Stackable Bins for the Upper Shelf Zone

If your cabinet has a fixed shelf above the pipe area, that shelf is the prime real estate for bulky items: extra dish soap, a box of trash bags, or a first-aid kit. But that shelf is often shallow, and items can slide behind the supply lines. A set of stackable bins with a lip on the front edge keeps everything corralled and visible.

Kmart's rectangular wire or mesh stackable bins are a good match because they are open-front, so you can see what is inside without pulling the bin out. Stack two or three for vertical use of the shelf height. Put the heaviest bin on the bottom and the lightest on top, and label each one with a marker or a piece of tape so you do not have to lift them to find a single item.

A Spill-Proof Tray for the Very Bottom

The floor of the cabinet is where drips from the pipe trap and leaks from bottles collect. Lining the floor with a plastic tray or a shallow baking pan catches those spills, so they do not soak into the wood or particleboard. A tray with raised edges is better than a flat mat because it holds liquid in one place.

Kmart sells a clear plastic under-sink tray, but a standard oven tray or a boot tray also works. Place it directly under the pipe trap, and keep a spare sponge in a small cup inside the tray so you can wipe up drips without hunting for a cloth. Check the tray monthly and empty it; standing water in a dark cabinet invites mold and rust on metal bottle caps.

Putting the Checklist Together

Start with the door caddy for daily items, then add the raised platform for the pipe area, then fill the side gaps with narrow trays. Only after those three zones are handled should you add the upper shelf bins and the bottom spill tray. This order ensures you address the highest-traffic areas first and avoid buying extras that do not fit.

A final note on safety: never store cleaning chemicals near food items, and keep any product with a child-proof cap on the highest shelf or in a locked bin if children are in the home. Check the manufacturer's label on each cleaner to confirm it can be stored upright and away from heat sources; some aerosol cans should not sit in a warm cabinet near a dishwasher or hot water pipe.