Kitchens are magnets for messes. If you’re frustrated with wet countertops, soap-stained sinks, or cabinets so jumbled you can’t find the dishwasher detergent you need, it’s time to get organized. Fortunately, there are so many types of handy kitchen sink organizers available that you’re certain to find one that works best for your needs, from under-sink caddies to soap and sponge trays, extendable shelves, and plenty more. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get organized—your kitchen will thank you.
If you have a small kitchen, want to maximize counter space, and are maybe even looking for a multifunctional organizer, check out this over-the-sink dish drying rack. The rungs are made from stainless steel covered in silicone, so your favorite dinnerware won’t slip or scratch, and it can hold anything from delicate tea cups to heavy cast iron pans (up to 50 pounds, to be exact). The spaces between the rungs are flexible, so you can store pot lids or thick plates between them, and between those and the perforated edges, all water drains directly into the sink.
And talk about versatility: This rack doubles as a hot pad for steaming casseroles, hot pie plates, and sheet pan dinners, since the silicone is heat-safe up to 550 degrees. Because it’s slotted, it can even be used as a cooling rack for freshly baked cookies. We even used the rack to water plants and the storage caddy—designed for holding and drying flatware—to hose down produce before putting it in the fridge.
When it comes time for cleaning water marks or soap stains, you can either do it quickly by hand with warm, soapy water or toss it in the dishwasher. Then, you can leave it out on your sink (it is quite attractive and comes in multiple colors) or roll it up and store it.
A good, old-fashioned dish-drying rack is a kitchen organization staple. That said, the typical wire-frame model could be improved a bit, especially if you have heavy pots and pans. We’ve all been there, right? Adding a little too much weight to one side—say, a big ol’ cast iron skillet—and watching the whole thing nearly tip over. Gone are those days; a solution has arrived. When loaded with pots, pans, lids, cutting boards, and dishes galore, the KitchenAid Dish Drying Rack stays completely stable and secure.
Made of durable stainless steel, it has reinforced sides, silicone-tipped cup and mug holders, a utensil caddy, and a removable drip tray. Because the wires are coated, it’s rust-proof, and the sleek design gives it a modern feel, so it will look right at home with any kitchen decor. The legs of the rack are also covered in silicone, so there won’t be any slipping—even on a wet countertop. Thanks to the drip tray that sits beneath the rack, everything dries faster, too.
We find the middle utensil section works great for larger items, such as a whisk or wooden spoons. You can place plastic lids and cutting boards on the raised, rounded side, and large items fit neatly on the flat side.
Many people are making the switch to greener and more eco-friendly kitchen products, and if that’s up your alley (why wouldn’t it be?), consider this minimalist sink caddy. The multi-purpose, compact tool uses recycled materials, featuring a brush made from bamboo and recycled plastic bristles. The caddy itself is made from durable ceramic and also contains recycled plastic. The removable sponge holder promises to make your kitchen sponges last longer so you don’t throw as many away. (You could also opt for reusable “paper” towels to clean your dishes, instead!)
This kit is compact, so it won’t take up much counter space at all. The brush sits in a ceramic bowl that doubles as a soap dispenser, and the vertical sponge holder encourages the sponge to dry faster and drain onto the tray below (you can alternatively use this to hold other tools, such as straw cleaner brushes and food scrapers). We love that the soap dispenser can use either liquid or powdered soap and that the brush is spring-loaded to create extra bubbles, resulting in using less soap overall to clean things. Speaking of cleaning, when your caddy gets cruddy, everything but the brush can be sent through the dishwasher.
If you live in an apartment or just have a small kitchen, you need every inch of space you can get. If you want to keep the real estate around your sink free for other items or totally vacant altogether, this large-capacity, rust-proof caddy hangs over the sink well and takes up just a fraction of space.
The stainless steel wire construction drips straight into the sink, so it won’t collect dirty water from sponges or scrubbers, and it even expands to fit over larger sinks (or shrinks down for smaller ones). The silicone feet keep the caddy in place and won’t scratch your sink or counter. It’s durable, too, so you don’t have to worry about it bending inward.
One side of the caddy features a deeper container, ideal for soaps or larger scrub brushes. A wire wrung spans the length of it, as well, so you can hang kitchen towels from it. It’s relatively inexpensive and an editor favorite to boot.
