Like most people, the cabinet under the sink in our kitchen is where we keep kitchen cleaners, trash bags, dish detergent, etc., but with the sink pipes in the way, space is limited. So instead of trying to cram everything in there, I created more space by converting an old over-the-door shoe organizer into hanging storage inside the cabinet door.

More times than not, when I try to pull off some type of DIY project, it never comes out the way I envisioned, which is infuriating. However, this one turned out pretty well considering I was making it up as I went along.

Here's what you'll need.

  • Over-the-door shoe organizer
  • Scissors, Exacto Knife, or box cutter
  • Metal or plastic gromets
  • Rubber mallet (for gromet installation)
  • Drill
  • Short screws
  • Washers
  • Screwdriver
  • Level
  • Pencil

Once you have all the parts, here's what to do.

1. Cut the Organizer

(Ryan O'Bryan)
(Ryan O'Bryan)
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Cut two pockets off the organizer (or more depending on the width of your cabinet door), being careful to cut just outside the pocket stitching so you don't leave a gaping hole on the side or bottom and render the pocket useless.

2. Insert the Gromets

Using your cutting tool, punch holes through the organizer so you can install the gromets. Depending on the material your organizer is made of, this may require applying pressure from the back so your cutting tool goes through, so BE CAREFUL!

(Ryan O'Bryan)
Seriously. Be careful. (Ryan O'Bryan)
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Install the gromets per the package directions. I used Coghlan's Plastic Gromets purchased from Ace Hardware on First Avenue in Evansville, and installed them along the top inside corner of the pockets.

(Ryan O'Bryan)
(Ryan O'Bryan)
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(Ryan O'Bryan)
(Ryan O'Bryan)
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Repeat steps one and two for however many organizers you need to make. I made two sets of pockets, mounting one above the other as you'll see in the finished product later.

3. Mount the Pockets

(Ryan O'Bryan)
(Ryan O'Bryan)
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How high you mount the pockets depends on what you are going to put in there. In our case, we use them to hold spray bottles of kitchen and glass cleaner so I had to take into account the height of the bottles before installing the pockets on the door. If I mounted them too high, door wouldn't close because the bottles would be in the way.

Once I had that figured out, I made a small, horizontal pencil mark in the middle of the door, then drew a straight line across using a level as pictured above.

Using the pencil line as a guide, hold the top edge of the pocket against the door and mark the screw holes.

Set the pocket aside and drill short pilot holes in the center of your two marks using a drill bit slightly smaller in diameter than the screws you'll be using. Be careful not to drill too deep or you'll go through the door.

Take one screw and thread it through one of your washers, then place the screw through the gromet. I used over-sized plastic washers to help prevent the screw from going through the door. Use your screwdriver to tighten the screw into place. Repeat the process in the other corner.

Repeat all steps for however many pockets you're looking to mount. When you're done, it will hopefully look something like this.

(Ryan O'Bryan)
(Ryan O'Bryan)
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This took me about 30 minutes to complete when all was said and done, and has really opened up additional space under the sink. This concept could also be handy in the bathroom, or anywhere you need additional storage.

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