Throughout my experience as a professional organizer, I’ve noticed that many people struggle with organizing a specific item—water bottles.
Reusable water bottles, such as Yetis, Stanleys, and Nalgenes, pose a unique challenge when it comes to storage.
They are too tall to stand upright and too bulky to lay horizontally, resulting in a cluttered mess inside cabinets. I completely empathize with this struggle because I’ve faced it myself.
Water bottles come in various sizes, heights, and widths, and with different features like handles, lids, and straws.
These factors make it challenging to find a suitable storage solution and keep them upright and organized, especially considering their frequent use and rotation.
However, despite the initial difficulty, organizing water bottles is not an impossible task.
With the right strategies and ideas, you can conquer water bottle storage in no time. In the following sections, I will share my best tips and organizing techniques to help you tackle this challenge effectively.
Common Storage Advices for Water Bottles
First, Begin with Decluttering
Before you start organizing your collection of reusable water bottles, take the time to declutter.
Empty out all the bottles you own and assess each one individually. Determine which bottles you no longer need or like and can donate to someone else.
Dispose of any bottles that are cracked, broken, or unusable. Keep only the water bottles that you truly love and will continue to use.
Sort by Categories
Once you have narrowed down your water bottle collection, it’s helpful to sort them into categories based on their style or features.
Create categories such as kids’ bottles, bottles with handles, bottles with built-in straws, and so on. By visually seeing the different types and quantities of water bottles you own, you can better plan how to organize them and avoid unnecessary purchases in the future.
Select the Right Storage Solution
Now that you have a clear idea of the water bottles you want to keep and their categories, it’s time to choose the appropriate storage solution.
Depending on the number, size, and shape of your water bottles, you may need to use a combination of storage ideas. Consider the available space in your kitchen, such as cabinets, drawers, pantry, or even the area near the sink or fridge, to determine the most convenient storage location.
Water Bottle Organizer: There are various organizers designed specifically for reusable water bottles.
Look for stackable, expandable, vertical, or horizontal options made from materials like acrylic, bamboo, or metal. Choose an organizer with ample space to accommodate different bottle sizes, and if you have a large collection, you may need to purchase multiple organizers.
Wine Rack: Repurpose a wine rack to function as a water bottle organizer.
Slide the bottles into the wine rack and place them in a cabinet or on a pantry shelf. This is a suitable option if you have chunkier water bottle styles.
Magazine File Holder: Turn a magazine rack on its back and stack water bottles in it.
Each rack can hold approximately three bottles, but you can align multiple racks to store more bottles.
Drawer Dividers: If you have deep pull-out drawers in your kitchen or pantry, use spring-loaded dividers to create rows for organizing water bottles.
Adjust the width of the dividers according to the bottle sizes. However, keep in mind that taller bottles may need to be placed in their row.
Open Containers: Use narrow, open-top bins or baskets to sort water bottles on shelves or in drawers.
Opt for containers with handles if you plan to store them on a shelf. Label each container by type to easily identify the bottles, especially during busy mornings.
Lazy Susan: While not the preferred method, a lazy Susan can be used for water bottle storage if you have the appropriate storage setup.
If you have an underused corner cabinet, place a large turntable inside and arrange the bottles on it. Opt for shorter bottles to prevent them from toppling over as you spin the lazy Susan.
Back-of-the-Door Storage: Install an over-the-door rack with baskets or use a clear pocket shoe organizer on the inside of the pantry door.
Utilize the slots or baskets to hold the water bottles, making them easily accessible and ensuring they are returned to their designated spot after use.
Under-Cabinet Basket: Attach an organizer with arms underneath a shelf, leaving space underneath for water bottle storage.
Slide the bottles horizontally into the basket, with their tops facing forward for convenient retrieval.
Rolling Cart: If you have limited storage space in cabinets, drawers, and pantry, use a tiered cart on wheels for water bottle storage.
Use open containers on the cart to keep the bottles secure. The rolling cart can be placed inside the pantry and moved as needed to access the shelves or placed in narrow gaps between the refrigerator and a cabinet.
Bins for Accessories: As you organize your water bottles, you may come across extra attachments, separated lids, or parts that don’t fit on the bottles when stored away.
Gather these accessories and store them in a small container nearby for easy access.
By following these tips and choosing the right storage solutions, you can effectively organize and store your reusable water bottles, keeping them easily accessible and maintaining a clutter-free kitchen.
*The information is for reference only.