Most sink clutter comes down to one thing: wet items with nowhere to drain. The sponge sits on the edge of the bowl, the dish brush leans behind the tap, and the dishwashing liquid takes up bench space. A sink caddy gives each of those a place that drains — but a design suiting a sink with a divider often will not work on a single bowl.
Quick answer: what is the best sink caddy?
For most kitchens, the best sink caddy is one that manages water well and suits the way your sink is configured. Sponges and brushes stay wet for hours after washing up, so look for a design that drains into the bowl, uses a removable tray, or otherwise makes collected moisture easy to manage. Then match the format to your sink: a saddle where there is a suitable divider, a countertop caddy where bench space allows, and an over-sink design where it does not.
There is no need to buy the largest organiser available — the best one suits your sink and the items you genuinely use.
Best sink caddies at a glance
| If your kitchen is… | Caddy style | Option to consider |
| A busy everyday kitchen | Multi-compartment countertop caddy | Joseph Joseph Caddy™ (J022) |
| Short on bench space | Over-sink caddy | InterDesign Aluminium Over Sink Caddy (A266) |
| Fitted with a divided double sink | Sink saddle | Madesmart Large Sink Saddle (DL45164) |
| A smaller household | Compact sink saddle | Spectrum Cora Sponge & Brush Sink Saddle (DL5066) |
| After something straightforward | Simple benchtop sink tidy | d.line Sink Tidy (DL4565) |
Your sink configuration and the number of items you store should decide it.
Our sink caddy picks for Australian kitchens
1. Best all-round: Joseph Joseph Caddy™ Kitchen Sink Organiser (J022)
The Joseph Joseph Caddy™ measures 115mm high × 200mm wide × 135mm deep and gives each item its own area. The main compartment takes a washing-up liquid bottle and brush, a rail holds a damp dishcloth, and a separate plate holds sponges or scourers. A concealed reservoir collects draining water, and it comes apart for cleaning. Also in lime and white (J021).
Best for: everyday kitchens using detergent, brushes, cloths and sponges together.
2. Best for saving bench space: InterDesign Aluminium Over Sink Caddy (A266)
The InterDesign Over Sink Caddy expands to suit different sink widths and holds two compartments above the sink, with drainage holes so water passes straight through. Listed measurements are 335mm long × 114mm wide × 70mm high. Measure your sink opening first.
Best for: compact kitchens where benchtop space is the priority.
3. Best for divided double sinks: Madesmart Large Sink Saddle (DL45164)
The dividing wall between two bowls is usable space most people overlook. The Madesmart Large Sink Saddle sits over it rather than using the bench. It measures 123 × 145 × 130mm, includes ventilation holes and suction cups, and holds sponges, scrubbers, dish wands and small cloths. Check the width and shape of your divider first.
Best for: double sinks with a suitable central divider.
4. Best compact option: Spectrum Cora Sponge & Brush Sink Saddle (DL5066)
If all you need is somewhere for a sponge, a brush or a bar of soap, a smaller design makes more sense. The Spectrum Cora Sink Saddle measures 95 × 130 × 76mm, sits on a divider, and drains through an open structure.
Best for: simple washing-up setups and smaller divided sinks.
5. Best simple benchtop option: d.line Sink Tidy (DL4565)
Not every sink offers somewhere to mount an organiser. The d.line Sink Tidy measures 135mm wide × 146mm deep × 177mm high, with a removable sponge holder and base. Because it stands on the bench, it does not depend on a rim or divider.
Best for: straightforward countertop organisation, and sinks with few mounting points.
If the problem really is one sponge sitting in a puddle, a sponge caddy does that job alone for less. Where the bench beside the sink is narrow, the Casabella Sink Sider sits against the side of the bowl instead.
How We Selected These Sink Caddies
Our selections come from products stocked by The Storage Online Shop and their published specifications. For each we considered dimensions, where the organiser sits, how many compartments it provides, how it handles moisture, what it needs to mount to, and how easily it comes apart for cleaning.
What to look for in a kitchen sink caddy
1. Start with what you actually use
Look at what is around your sink now — usually dishwashing liquid, a bottle brush, a dish brush, a sponge, a scourer, a dishcloth and hand soap. Two or three items need only a compact holder; all of them together need separate compartments.
2. Check how it handles water
Water left beneath wet sponges can contribute to residue build-up, so drainage design is worth checking before choosing a caddy.
| Drainage design | How it handles moisture | What to consider |
| Drains into the sink (over-sink or saddle) | Water passes towards the bowl | Little to no water collects |
| Removable tray or reservoir | Captures draining water | Needs emptying regularly |
| Absorbent base | Takes up residual moisture | Follow the care instructions |
| Non-draining base | Retains water beneath the contents | Empty and dry by hand |
Check how the caddy handles water before choosing it mainly on appearance.
3. Measure the space — and check your sink configuration
Before buying a kitchen sink caddy, measure the width beside the sink, the depth between sink and splashback, and the clearance around the tap — particularly with wide handles or a pull-out spray head. For an over-sink caddy, measure the sink opening; for a saddle, the divider. Leave enough clearance to wipe behind the organiser and lift it out.
Your sink configuration rules options in and out before any of that.
- Drop-in sinks sit on top of the benchtop, so the rim gives you an edge to work with as well as any divider.
- Undermount sinks have no rim above the bench. A saddle can still work on a divided double bowl, and an over-sink caddy may span the opening resting on the benchtop either side — check your bowl configuration and support points rather than assuming. Where nothing suits, a benchtop organiser is the reliable answer.
- Small or apartment sinks lose washing-up space to anything in the bowl, so a compact saddle or sponge holder beats a full station.
4. Check how it comes apart
A sink organiser sits in the wettest part of the kitchen. Removable bases, trays and compartments let you reach where residue actually collects.
Which Sink Caddy Is Right for Your Kitchen?
Start with how the design handles water, then match the format to your sink. Counter space and several cleaning tools point to a multi-compartment countertop caddy; a tight bench points to an over-sink design. A divided double sink may allow you to use the central divider for a compatible saddle. Where there is no convenient mounting point, a benchtop kitchen sink caddy is the straightforward answer.
Why buy your sink caddy from The Storage Online Shop
We specialise in storage rather than general homewares, which shows up two ways.
- Product dimensions are provided across the range, so you can compare an organiser with the space around your sink before ordering rather than after it arrives.
- We stock multiple sink organiser formats — countertop caddies, over-sink designs, saddles and sponge holders, across brands including Joseph Joseph, Madesmart, d.line, InterDesign, Casabella and Spectrum. If a saddle does not suit your sink, you can compare countertop and over-sink alternatives.
Browse sink caddies and organisers at The Storage Online Shop
Frequently asked questions
What is a sink caddy?
A sink caddy keeps frequently used washing-up items — sponges, brushes, detergent and cloths — together at the kitchen sink. Designs sit on the countertop, span the sink, or hang over the divider of a double-bowl sink.
Is a sink tidy the same as a sink caddy?
The terms sink tidy, sink caddy and sink organiser are often used for similar kitchen-storage products, although the exact design varies. Some are simple sponge holders, while others include separate compartments for brushes, detergent, cloths and other washing-up essentials.
Do sink caddies need drainage?
Drainage is useful when a sink caddy holds wet sponges, brushes or cloths. Depending on the design, water may drain into the sink, collect in a removable tray or be absorbed by a specialised base. Non-draining caddies need to be emptied and dried regularly.
What size kitchen sink caddy do I need?
Measure the width and depth of the area where the caddy will sit, then check clearance around the tap and splashback. For over-sink models, measure the sink opening; for sink saddles, measure the central divider. Compare those measurements with the dimensions on the product page before ordering.
What kitchen sink caddy suits an undermount sink?
It depends on the bowl configuration. A divided double bowl may still take a saddle, and an over-sink caddy may span the opening where the benchtop provides support either side. Where neither is available, a benchtop organiser is the reliable option.
Are over-sink caddies good for small kitchens?
They suit small kitchens well, because they use the sink area rather than the bench. Measure the sink opening first and check the caddy will not interfere with washing larger pots.
How do you keep a sink caddy clean?
Empty trays or reservoirs regularly, rinse away detergent and food residue, and clean removable parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wipe underneath the caddy and wring out sponges and cloths so they are not left sitting in excess water.
About The Storage Online Shop
The Storage Online Shop is an Australian retailer specialising in home and kitchen storage. Our range covers kitchen bins, drawer organisers, kitchen interiors and cabinet hardware, sink and benchtop accessories, and bathroom and laundry storage — from brands including Joseph Joseph, Madesmart, d.line, InterDesign, Wesco and Elfa.
Our buying guides use product specifications from across our range to help customers compare dimensions, configurations and storage features before choosing an option for their kitchen.
