First, Declutter
Before starting your organization project, gather all your water bottles to decide which to keep or discard. Inspired by Marie Kondo's method, this step ensures effective decluttering. Search through kitchen cabinets, the dishwasher, your kids' backpacks, and even your home office—you might be surprised at how many you find.
Once you have them all, lay the bottles out on a table or countertop. Sort them into these categories:
- Donate: Water bottles that are still in good condition but no longer needed.
- Toss: Bottles that are cracked, broken, or unusable.
- Keep: Your favorite bottles that you use frequently.
Sort by Type
With the water bottles you decide to keep, group them by type, especially if you have a variety of styles. Create categories like kids' bottles, bottles with handles, and those with built-in straws. Identifying the variety and quantity will guide you in choosing the best organization method and can also help deter impulse buying of new bottles.
Choose your Storage Solution
Consider the following water bottle storage ideas to find the perfect solution for your needs. Depending on the size and shape of your collection, you may want to combine more than one option. Available kitchen space will also influence your choice. Ideally, a cabinet or drawer near the sink or fridge is most convenient, but don't overlook other areas, like the pantry, if you’re short on kitchen storage space.
30 Kitchen Storage Ideas to Help You Declutter on a Budget
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/waterbottlestorage-0bab09a1034849549ca9d15ef6181ac0.jpeg)
Courtesy of Mary Cornetta
1. Water Bottle Organizer
Numerous organizers are designed specifically for reusable water bottles. Options include stackable, expandable, vertical, and horizontal designs, available in materials like acrylic, bamboo, and metal. You'll likely find one that matches your style and fits your shelf. Choose an organizer with enough space for various bottle sizes, and consider buying more than one if you have a large collection.
2. Wine Rack
Repurpose a wine rack as a water bottle organizer. Simply slide your bottles into the rack and place it inside a cabinet or on a pantry shelf. Because wine bottles are generally larger than most water bottles, this solution is especially effective for bulkier bottles.
3. Magazine File Holder
Use a magazine file holder as a DIY storage solution by turning it on its back and stacking three water bottles inside. You can line up multiple holders to store more bottles.
4. Drawer Dividers
Drawer dividers can help keep your water bottles tidy in addition to specialized organizers. If you have deep pull-out drawers, use spring-loaded dividers to neatly line up bottles in rows, adjusting the dividers to fit. Position taller bottles horizontally in their own row if needed.
15 Pullout Kitchen Storage Ideas that Maximize Every Inch
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/201805MB_30878-1ddc15eca2dc4d29895e8172e986004b.jpg)
Marty Baldwin
5. Open Containers
Open containers are a versatile solution for both drawers and shelves. Group water bottles in narrow, open-top bins with handles for easy shelf storage. To simplify busy mornings, consider labeling each bin by type to keep bottles upright and easy to identify.
10 Genius Solutions for Organizing Food Storage Containers
6. Lazy Susan
While a lazy Susan may not be the top choice for water bottle storage, it can be useful. In an awkward, underused corner kitchen cabinet, a large turntable can help organize bottles. The round shape is well-suited for storing shorter bottles to prevent toppling, or choose a turntable with a low wall for added stability.
7. Back-of-the-Door Storage
Utilize the empty space on the inside of a pantry door by installing an over-the-door rack with baskets or a clear pocket shoe organizer as a cost-effective option. Place water bottles in the slots or baskets for easy access and encourage everyone to return them once clean.
Store More with These Behind-the-Door Storage Ideas
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/011_waterbottleholders_364-3911dd73ea534523813ac71832105853.jpg)
LAURA MOSS
8. Under-Cabinet Basket
For a small collection of water bottles, an under-cabinet basket is a practical solution. Attach the basket to a shelf with space underneath, and slide bottles in horizontally with tops facing forward for easy access.
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets: 23 Tips to Simplify Routines
9. Rolling Cart
If you've exhausted storage space in cabinets, drawers, and the pantry, consider a tiered rolling cart for your water bottles. Open containers keep them secure on the cart, which can be rolled to any available floor space. Store a rolling cart inside the pantry for easy access to shelves, or fit a slim cart in narrow spaces like between the refrigerator and a cabinet.
10. Bins for Accessories
Regardless of the storage solution, you might have extra attachments or lids that need separate storage from the bottles. For example, if you store bottles in a drawer without lids and straws attached, gather all accessories into a small container kept nearby for easy access and organization.