9 coffee mug storage ideas even baristas would be jealous of

Coffee mugs are some of the most fun kitchenware to collect. With all the fun sizes, shapes, and colors, it is hard not to pick up yet another one whenever you pop out for some 'window shopping'.

This often results in huge collections of sets and mismatched mugs that make organizing kitchen cabinets more difficult than it already is.

That is where these home organizers coffee mug storage ideas come into play, to help you make any mug organization into a barista-grade coffee nook.

Our top 9 coffee mug storage ideas

Whether you have a single shelf or are looking for some larger coffee bar organization ideas, these nine coffee mug storage solutions are sure to make even the best baristas jealous.

1. Keep mugs close to your coffee machine

James Lott, CEO, and founder at The Super Organizer says, 'If you are like me and drink coffee or tea often, I need my mugs easily accessible. You should be able to grab a mug without major restrictions. That is why location is so important for organizing a kitchen for a better morning routine,'

'I like to have my mugs either right above or right below my favorite coffee maker or tea kettle area. Easy breezy! It saves on multiple steps and is easy to remember while helping to enhance your kitchen organization.'

2. Regularly edit your collection

If you have a massive mug collection, it is important to edit it regularly to make space for your favorites in your kitchen storage, reminds Barbara Brock, professional home organizer.

She explains, 'First, I suggest editing out your coffee mugs to those that are most used and those that have memories. Coffee mugs take up cabinet space when too many are collected. To maximize this space, stack coffee cups with the bottom layer upside down.'

3. Think about handle direction

It might seem like a minute detail, but you should never underestimate your mug handle direction if you are looking for the best aesthetic organizing tricks for your coffee mug storage, reminds professional home organizer Amy Berryhill:

'Lining up cups in the same direction (i.e. all handles pointing to the right) gives a clean and calm visual when you open the cabinet.'

4. Display and rotate favorites

'A great way to organize your coffee mugs is to rotationally display your favorite ones and tuck the others away in a cupboard,' says home organizer Laura Price, founder of The Home Organization. 'Having too many out, especially in a smaller space, can make your kitchen feel cluttered and overcrowded.

So, she suggests you do an edit and choose just four to eight mugs to display at any one time on an exposed shelf or in a glass cabinet. You can then decide which mugs you want out according to your style and the season.

5. Try shelf risers

If you have lots of mugs and want to keep them that way, shelf risers could be the answer. Make the most of the height of your kitchen cabinets by using shelf risers, which will help you avoid having lots of empty space just above your mug collection.

If you have deep cabinet shelves, just having one at the back can use the space more efficiently, without having to stack mugs directly on top of each other.

Interior designer Chantelle Hartman Malarkey agrees that risers are a good option, especially in small kitchens, because they allow you to store more mugs and give you the ability to see them all properly.

6. Arrange on shelves with rails and barriers

Professional organizer Laura Price is a big advocate of adding extra kitchen shelving to make coffee mug storage easier.

'This is particularly useful for small kitchens where inside cabinet storage is needed for appliances and items you don’t want to display,' she says. 'Using shelving that has a rail or barrier can also help you store your mugs safely without the concern of them breaking.'

7. Keep them in a low drawer

Laura Honey, Homes & Gardens eCommerce editor and former barista, recommends relocating haphazard stacks of mugs to a low drawer for ease and practicality.

'Pre-caffeine, it can feel a bit risky reaching for triple-stacked mugs. It’s almost inevitable that your favorite one will break. In my home, I keep all of my mugs in a low drawer,' she says.

'I have a grip liner from Amazon at the bottom of the drawer so that the mugs don’t slip when I open it. I’m lucky, because I tend to buy the same size and shape, so they tessellate [fit together] neatly. I also keep them upside down, so that no dust or stale water is left in them. I’m biased, but I think it’s the best option because you don’t have to reach up high and you can see all your available space.'

If storing tall travel mugs, try expandable bamboo drawer dividers at Amazon, to stop them from falling over when you open the drawer.

8. Hang mugs to save space

Fix dead space by hanging a wall-mounted rack in the kitchen or by suspending mugs from hooks under cabinet shelving, creating a laid-back and functional aesthetic.

'Our mugs have such characters and stories behind them, so my next favorite option is a mug rack, also at Amazon,' says Laura Honey. 'It’s an easy organizer, keeps your mugs safe, and large mugs won’t throw off your entire stacking system. It’s easy to reach for your favorite mugs and you’re not limited on what you can store on each hook.'

9. Go retro with a mug tree

Barbara Brock, expert organizer, recommends opting for a coffee mug tree if you have a smaller collection that you like to keep to hand.

Mug trees might have a retro look to them, but they can be perfect for stopping clutter before it starts by preventing you from bringing any extra mugs home if you know you have no space to hang them.

FAQs

What to do with too many coffee mugs?

When you have too many coffee mugs, you should probably start by decluttering. Get rid of any mugs that are chipped, cracked, or looking a little worse for wear first. Then, move on to the mugs that you do not reach for often to make space for your favorite mugs.

'See if you can use that mug somewhere else in your home as a pencil cup, toothbrush cup, or even a bud vase,' says Homes & Gardens contributing expert Caroline Roberts.

While decluttering, remember the more mugs you have crammed into one storage spot, the more likely they are to be damaged. Decluttering some mugs now will ultimately keep your best mugs in better condition for longer.

Can you stack coffee mugs?

It is possible to stack coffee mugs on top of one another to save space, but it is best to stack the bottom mug upside down, and the mug on top the right way around. This avoids putting extra pressure on the more delicate rim of the bottom mug, avoiding chips and cracks that could be hazardous from drink from.

By using kitchen organizers that are either wall-mounted or that go inside cabinets, you'll be able to keep kitchen counters clear to maximize food prep space and maintain some level of calm.

Explore more coffee station ideas for wider inspiration for your coffee-making space.