7 Ways to Store (or Display) Your Mugs, Just Like a Professional Organizer

Mug collections start off innocently enough. There’s that kitschy souvenir from your last vacation, that artisanal piece that fits perfectly in your hand, and you can’t forget the countless gifts that hold sentimental value. Before you know it, your kitchen cabinet has morphed into a precarious game of ceramic Jenga. We’re here to tell you there’s a better way to store or display your mugs.

To keep finding a mug from becoming a scavenger hunt, consider these genius experts handle this organizing task. 

Creative Ways to Organize and Display Mugs 

With all their cuteness, function, and sentimental value, it only makes sense to do our mugs a service by organizing and displaying them with care. Consider which of these methods for storing mugs might work best in your home and make it a weekend project. 

Use Under-Shelf Hooks  

We love a multifunctional kitchen item. “Store mugs on top of the shelf and hang favorites underneath for easy access." suggests professional organizer Shantae Duckworth. "This is perfect for a coffee station aesthetic."

Add Some Shelf Risers 

If you want to keep your mugs behind cabinets, use shelf organizers to maximize your space. A simple shelf insert allows you to stash mugs underneath and on top, preventing a teetering situation and potentially saving your mugs from a tumble.

Inexpensive shelving will also help you categorize by size or frequency of use, keeping your cabinets neat and accessible. 

Stack Them With Coffee Saucers 

Use coffee saucers to help stack your mugs on top of each other. “This look gives major coffeehouse vibes," says Linda DiBias, professional home organizer and owner of Bee Organized North Jersey Shore. "You can also use coffee saucers as coasters to protect furniture while drinking your morning coffee," she suggests.

Keep Them In a Drawer

We often think about putting our mugs up high in a cabinet—but rethink the usual. Opt to store your mugs in a drawer instead. Ideally, the drawer will be located just underneath your coffee maker. This is an ideal solution for those who want to keep their mug collection stored, safe, and tucked away. 

Use a Freestanding Organizer 

If you have the counter space, a compact organizer with shelves or built-in hooks is handy for a stylish mug display. "A tiered organizer with hooks is great for hanging mugs," DiBias says. Many tiered storage trees also spin, much like a lazy Susan, to maximize storage space.

Hang Floating Shelves

A row of floating shelves for mugs is the perfect way to store mugs that you want to put on display for all to see. “Arrange them by theme, color, or size to create a visually attractive display. Spruce up the space by adding a few small plants or jars of coffee to tie the look together,” says professional organizer Laura Ellis. 

Set Up a Coffee Station 

Transform an unused space or a stand-alone curio cabinet into a stylish and functional coffee station by repurposing its shelves to store and display your favorite mugs, coffee essentials, and decorative touches.

“Select a beautiful paint color, add decorative lighting, and voilà—you have an elegant display,” Ellis says. This approach keeps everything organized while turning your coffee station into a charming focal point in your home. 

Tips for Keeping Your Mug Collection Organized

It’s so easy for a small mug collection to turn into an overflowing cabinet situation. Here’s are some ways to prevent chaos. 

Set a Limit

Though it may be difficult, "you have to decide how many mugs actually fit your lifestyle and your space—and stick to that number," Duckworth says.

A great way to keep things in check is the one in, one out rule: If a new mug comes in, an old one should go. 

Consider Which You Actually Use

Be honest about which mugs you usually reach for and which haven’t seen a drop of coffee in ages. That mug collecting dust? “It might be time to donate it and let someone else enjoy it,” Duckworth says. 

Make Them Accessible

Store your most used mugs in an easy-to-reach spot. "For righties, we turn the handle 45 degrees to the right so they’re easy to take off the shelf," Ellis says. "If you like variety and a few sets to choose from, line your mugs in rows so each set has one mug in the row. Line up the rest of the sets behind the first row so you can see all your different options." 

Repurpose Unused Mugs

Can’t bear to part with a mug? Think beyond the kitchen. "They make great pen holders, mini planters, or even cute storage for makeup brushes," says Duckworth. "Get creative and let your mug collection work for you, not against you!"