How to Hang Coffee Mugs Under Your Kitchen Cabinet

Maximizing kitchen space is essential, especially when counter space is limited. According to our kitchen design experts, hanging mugs under cabinets or shelves is a great way to free up space and organize your kitchen. This can be done by drilling in mug hooks or attaching adhesive hooks.

This simple DIY project can be completed in just a few minutes and adds a stylish and functional touch to your kitchen.

Here's how to do it:

Why Hang Coffee Mugs?

• Free up counter space- Hanging your coffee mugs frees up counter space, giving you more room to prep meals and keep your kitchen tidy.
• Stylish display- Hanging mugs can become a stylish display and a way to show off your favorite mugs while adding a personal touch to your space.
• Easy DIY project- You don’t need to be an expert handyman or DIYer. With a few essential tools, you can have it done in no time.

Materials and Tools Needed

• Pencil: This is for marking where to place the hooks.
• Measuring Tape: To ensure accurate spacing.
• Drill and Drill Bits: These are used to make holes in the wood.
• Cup Hooks: Available at any hardware store.
• Adhesive Hooks: An easy alternative to drilling holes.

Step 1: Mark the Center Point

Measure the underside of the kitchen cabinet to find the center, and mark the center point with your pencil. Finding the center point will ensure your mug hooks are straight and evenly spaced.

Step 2: Determine the Hook Placement

Decide how far from the front edge of your cabinet to place the hooks. Typically, 1.5 inches from the edge works well, ensuring easy access to your mugs without too much reaching. Make sure there is at least 2 inches of clearance from the wall.

Step 3: Mark Equal Spacing

From the center point you determined in step 1, use your pencil and measuring tape to mark equal spacing for all the hooks. The ideal spacing between mugs is five inches apart to prevent them from clinking together and potentially chipping.

Step 4: Drill Pilot Holes

Pilot holes are essential to preventing your cabinet's wood splitting or splintering while screwing in the hooks. They are holes that are slightly smaller than your screw and are drilled before you install your screw.

Using a drill bit that is smaller than the hook’s screw, drill a pilot hole into each marked point.

Step 5: Install the Hooks

Screw the cup hooks, also called C hooks, into the pilot holes. Make sure they face the same direction for a clean and uniform look. Be careful not to overtighten, as this can strip the wood or damage the hooks.

The hooks should be snuggly in place but not too deep where they would poke through the cabinet's underside.

Step 6: Hang Your Mugs

Once the hooks are installed, hang your mugs. Choose mugs that complement your kitchen’s décor and aesthetic to achieve a cohesive and beautiful look.

Before fully committing to hanging your items, do a quick test to ensure the hooks can handle the weight. After hanging one mug, gently wiggle it to ensure the hook remains secure.

Alternative to Cup Hooks: Adhesive hooks

If you prefer not to drill holes, consider using Command Strips with hooks. They are easy to install and can be removed without damaging the cabinet. They come in various sizes and with different weight capacities. 

Additional Tips

• If you have extra hooks, hang kitchen utensils within easy reach of your prep space.
• This project is ideal for small kitchens where counter space is at a premium.
• The entire process takes about 20 minutes and is a quick way to improve your kitchen’s functionality.
• Add undercabinet lighting to show off your mug collection and enhance the look of your kitchen.
• Before starting, visualize the final mug arrangement. This will help you decide on the placement for each hook and ensure the final setup meets your needs.
• After installing, periodically check the hooks for stability to make sure they are still strong enough for the mugs.
• While you’re thinking about showing off underneath your cabinets, you can also enhance the tops of your kitchen cabinets with creative decorating ideas.

You can make the most of your kitchen space by hanging mugs and utensils under your cabinets. You can choose either cup hooks or adhesive hooks to hang your mugs. This easy DIY project helps declutter your kitchen and adds a stylish touch. Hanging your mugs is one of the easiest and quickest upgrades you can make to your kitchen.

Check out our Visualizer to start imagining your perfect kitchen and how hanging your mugs under your cabinet can be incorporated into your design.