23 Mug Storage Ideas to Help You Stay Organized

By
Laura Mueller
Laura Mueller and Reggie
Laura Mueller
Laura Mueller is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience. She covers lifestyle for The Spruce and has also written for The Muse, Moving.com, and Huffington Post.
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Updated on 12/23/22
Open shelving with mugs, glassware, and picture in frame.

Jessica Nelson Design

Could your mug storage situation use a bit of a pick-me-up? We hear you. Here are some ideas for ways to store your ever-growing collection of mugs (or espresso cups or teacups) that will keep your kitchen storage organized and clutter-free.

  • 01 of 23

    Use Glass-Front Cabinetry

    mug storage ideas

    Design by JK Interiors

    If you’ve got it, flaunt it. We love this use of glass-front cabinetry from JK Interiors, which puts mugs front and center, keeping them visible and accessible while remaining part of a cohesive, streamlined design. Don’t have coordinated dishware? It’s okay, just as long as you keep mugs neatly arranged or grouped by size, color, or whatever works for you.

  • 02 of 23

    Hang Them Up

    mug storage ideas

    Steve Lupton / Getty Images

    Instead of stacking your mugs, install a couple of simple hooks on the bottom of a cabinet shelf and hang them up in a row to keep them organized and accessible. Simple hooks are affordable and durable, and can be picked up at any home improvement store. 

  • 03 of 23

    Add Vintage Vibes

    mug storage ideas

    John Keeble / Getty Images

    Fantastic things happen when you decorate the back of an open hutch or glass-front china cabinet with some vintage wallpaper. Use the look to display your antique mug collection—or even a modern one, if you want a bit of contrast.

  • 04 of 23

    Use a Freestanding Display

    mug storage ideas

    Danja Koch / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Who says freestanding serving displays can only be used at tea parties? Put your display to use year-round by using it as a way to neatly arrange your mugs on an open shelf or in a closed cabinet.

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  • 05 of 23

    Add Cubbies

    mug storage ideas

    Amy Parkes / Unsplash

    Are your mugs one-of-a-kind? Give them the spotlight they deserve by displaying them in individual cubbies. This type of shelving can be hung on the wall, or arranged right on your countertop next to the coffee maker. 

  • 06 of 23

    Use Open Shelving

    mug storage ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design

    You can never go wrong with open shelving. Case in point: this artful approach to mug storage from Jessica Nelson Design featuring a mug collection that effortlessly blends in with the decor.

  • 07 of 23

    Group Them on a Platter

    mug storage ideas

    Iuliia Iakubovska / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Organize your mugs without resorting to rows by grouping them on a pretty plate or platter. You’ll be able to easily see what’s available without having to move a bunch of stuff around when you're looking for something specific.

  • 08 of 23

    Create a Coffee Bar

    mug storage ideas

    Laura Cattano Organizational Design

    If you have the space for it, go all out with a complete at-home coffee bar. This beverage station from Laura Cattano Organizational Design has it all, with mugs conveniently placed alongside coffee beans, tea bags, and appliances so that everything is always right at hand. 

    Continue to 9 of 23 below.
  • 09 of 23

    DIY Rack

    mug storage ideas

    Chris Scott / Unsplash

    Do you have some room on your kitchen wall to spare? Install a simple rod with some S-hooks to create hanging mug storage that doesn’t require you to sacrifice any cabinet space—and that can easily be removed later on if you’re in a rental. 

  • 10 of 23

    Add In-Cabinet Shelving

    mug storage ideas

    Fancy / Veer / Corbis / Getty Images

    Make practical use of vertical space in your cabinets by adding in a small shelf that can help you fit twice as much stuff without the need for twice as many cabinets.

  • 11 of 23

    Install Corner Shelves

    mug storage ideas

    Sara Toufali

    Take a cue from blogger Sara Toufali and add on a few small shelves to the end of your cabinetry. It’s a smart mug storage solution that looks like it was always meant to be there, especially if you choose shelves that are the same material and/or color as your cabinets (though a mix-and-match look could definitely also work).

  • 12 of 23

    Hang Wood Pegs

    mug storage ideas

    Torsten Dettlaff / Pexels

    Wood pegs are a great alternative to hooks if you’re looking for a more minimalist approach to hanging up your mugs. Just be sure to chose pegs that jut out far enough from the wall to provide plenty of room for your mug handles to safely stay in place. 

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  • 13 of 23

    Keep Them Accessible

    mug storage ideas

    Ryan McVay / Getty Images

    Where you put your mug collection is just as important as how you go about arranging it. If you’re a tea lover, store your mugs right next to your kettle on the stove so that you never have far to reach to get what you need (bonus points if you keep a jar of tea bags in there, too). 

  • 14 of 23

    Use a Bookcase

    mug storage ideas

    Herta Jansone / EyeEm / Getty Images

    A small bookcase in your kitchen provides just enough space for mugs and other everyday essentials. Find a bookcase that matches your existing kitchen decor, or roll up your sleeves and DIY one to create a totally custom look. 

  • 15 of 23

    Stack Them Up

    mug storage ideas

    cerro_photography / Getty Images

    Double up on cabinet space by stacking mugs of various sizes instead of arranging them side by side. To prevent them from toppling over, set them top-down.

  • 16 of 23

    Create a Dedicated Zone

    mug storage ideas

    Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

    In this spacious kitchen from Desiree Burns Interiors, open shelving keeps the room feeling airy while highlighting the dark stained ceiling beams. To the left of the range, a little espresso pot and two espresso cups are poised on a high shelf, with an elegant tea pot and cups permanently poised on the countertop below, a dedicated spot that is convenient for everyday use.

    Continue to 17 of 23 below.
  • 17 of 23

    Stow Them Away

    mug storage ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo

    A slide-out espresso station hidden behind a wall of built-in cabinetry in this kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors includes a shelf to keep espresso cups at arm's length.

  • 18 of 23

    Use Glass

    mug storage ideas

    Arbor & Co.

    A pair of transparent glass mugs practically disappear against the white walls and open shelving of this kitchen from Arbor & Co. Add a transparent glass tea pot and the illusion is complete.

  • 19 of 23

    Use a Freestanding Drinkware Cabinet

    mug storage ideas

    Design by Kate Marker Interiors

    This vintage-style freestanding drinkware cabinet from Kate Marker Interiors includes space for everything from glasses to mugs, plus a trio of pale pink espresso cups stacked in a pyramid for extra cuteness. Everything is grouped together to make it look organized and easy to access.

  • 20 of 23

    Rotate Them Out

    mug storage ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo

    If you enjoy a minimalist look like this kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors but want to keep your morning mugs visible and within reach, choose your favorite pair and display it on open shelving, storing the rest behind closed cabinet doors. This is an easy way to rotate your collection while keeping your open shelving streamlined and on point.

    Continue to 21 of 23 below.
  • 21 of 23

    Use a Floating Shelf

    mug storage ideas

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    In this all-white kitchen from Desiree Burns Interiors, a floating shelf stained in dark wood stands out against the backsplash, while a row of teacups that could just as easily be swapped out for mugs or espresso cups depending on your daily drink of choice blend into the background while standing at the ready above the stovetop.

  • 22 of 23

    Move Them Around

    mug storage ideas

    Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Margaret Austin Photo

    If you have a small collection of well chosen mugs that you like to display on open shelving, don't feel compelled to stack them in neat rows. In this kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors, mugs are grouped together and stacked on books to create little vignettes that add interest to open shelf styling and still look neat and organized.

  • 23 of 23

    Build a Breakfast Bar

    mug storage ideas

    Design by Kate Marker Interiors

    This breakfast bar from Kate Marker Interiors faces into the kitchen on the other side of the sink, with two bar stools and an open shelf that stores mugs and cereal bowls so they're easy to grab for everyday use.