Mug collectors know the struggle: one cute cup turns into two, then ten, then suddenly your kitchen feels like a museum of moods. Every time you open a cabinet, mugs wobble and clink like they’re auditioning for a circus act.
But the truth is, mug storage solutions aren’t just about keeping things neat. They’re about celebrating your collection. Making mornings easier, and guilt-free enjoyment of your favorite mugs. Especially ones from CupofMood.
Indeed mugs are more than drinkware. Each one tells a story. Maybe it’s the oversized soup mug you bought during your “comfort food” phase. Perhaps it’s the cheeky Coffee Before Talkie Mug that makes you smirk before your first cup.
Or maybe the sentimental I Love My Nana Mug that brings back family memories. Every mug deserves a home where it’s safe, visible, and ready for your next sip of joy.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to turn mug chaos into harmony without remodeling your kitchen. In this guide, I’ll show you practical, fun, and sometimes hilarious solutions: drawer storage, slide-on baskets, vertical stacking, floating shelves, hooks, and creative displays.
Not to mention these tricks are simple, affordable, and designed for collectors who want to grow their collection without feeling guilty.
Drawer Storage Magic
At first, the idea of storing mugs in a drawer sounds strange. Drawers are for utensils, towels, maybe snacks—not mugs, right? Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never go back. Deep drawers are the unsung heroes of mug organization. Instead of stacking mugs precariously in a cabinet, you can lay them in rows with handles facing the same way. No more clinking, no more tipping towers.
Deep drawers can hold up to twenty mugs in one row. Add a non-slip liner so they don’t slide, and arrange them neatly. Imagine opening a drawer and seeing your entire Rae Dunn collection lined up like a ceramic army—so satisfying it almost feels like therapy.
Drawers also protect mugs from dust better than open shelves. Vintage finds like McDonald’s 90s mugs are especially delicate. Drawer storage keeps them safe, visible, and ready to use.
Pro tip: Use dividers to separate mugs by theme or size. I have a section for daily favorites, one for oversized soup mugs, and a small row for novelty mugs from my Funny Collection.
Not only does this make mornings smoother, but it’s also a joy to rediscover a mug you forgot about in the back.
For inspiration, check out this Easy Coffee Mug Storage Solution for Kitchen Drawers.
Slide-On Baskets for Double Space
When cabinets are already packed, slide-on baskets are lifesavers. These clever baskets hook onto existing shelves and create a second layer of storage. Instead of stacking mugs on top of each other (risky for chips and cracks), you can line one row on the shelf and another in the basket above.
They’re inexpensive, renter-friendly, and surprisingly sturdy. Measure your cabinets first to avoid buying the wrong size. Once installed, you’ll wonder how you lived without them.
Slide-on baskets are perfect for seasonal mugs. Every collector knows holiday mugs multiply faster than cookies during Christmas. Snowmen, pumpkins, ghosts—they all compete for space. A slide-on basket lets you dedicate one area to seasonal mugs, making them easy to grab when needed and easy to store afterward.
For example, my Funny Collection mugs like I’m Shot Without Coffee Mug sit neatly in a slide-on basket. They’re front and center, safe, and ready to brighten my mornings.
Check out this Declutter Kitchen Cabinets with Slide-On Storage Baskets for extra tips.
Bonus Hack: Seasonal Rotation and Hidden Treasures
Rotate your mugs seasonally. Keep everyday mugs on your main shelf or drawer and store less-used or seasonal ones elsewhere. Every few months, rediscovering a hidden mug feels like getting a brand-new one!
For instance, I found a Born To Shop Mug tucked away for months. Pulling it out in spring felt like a mini celebration.
This also keeps your collection feeling fresh. Rotate your Rae Dunn pieces so favorites shine, and guests are always greeted with the best mug for the season. Think of it as mug feng shui.
Creative Display Options That Double as Décor
Mugs aren’t just practical—they’re art. Display them like one.
Floating shelves create a gallery wall. Line up favorites, like the Born To Collection mugs that declare “Born to Queen” or “Born to Fish.” Floating shelves save counter space and instantly showcase your collection. Add LED strip lights for extra drama.
Mug trees put mugs on a pedestal. Place cheeky Funny Collection mugs here. I love seeing Coffee Before Talkie Mug greeting me each morning.
Under-cabinet hooks maximize dead space. Hang mugs upside down for a café-style look. Rotate seasonally—pumpkins in October, snowflakes in December, hearts in February.
Wall-mounted racks function like jewelry organizers for mugs. Rustic wood works for farmhouse Rae Dunn mugs, sleek metal suits modern collections. Combine with your CupofMood Inspirational mugs (like the Peace Mug) to create conversation starters.
Collector’s Corner: Rotations, Themes, and Protecting Your Treasures
Curate your mugs with themes. Spring: floral and pastel. Summer: bright, beachy colors (perfect for the Sip & Splash Collection tumbler alongside mugs). Fall: pumpkins and earthy tones. Winter: reindeer, snowmen, and holiday favorites.
Rare or collectible mugs like Rae Dunn or 90s McDonald’s pieces should be in clear display cabinets to protect them from dust and chips. Rotate them so every mug gets its moment in the spotlight.
Vertical Storage: Stacking Without the Stress
Stacking mugs can be intimidating—one wrong move and it’s a ceramic avalanche. But vertical storage doesn’t have to be scary. Use tiered mug racks or nesting risers to create multiple layers safely. Each mug remains visible, and you maximize cabinet or counter space.
I love using risers for my Rae Dunn collection and my Funny Collection. Morning coffee becomes a mini treasure hunt as I choose which mug to greet me.
Tip: Place heavier mugs on the bottom, lighter or fragile mugs on top. Group mugs by style or color for an eye-pleasing display. This simple tweak not only prevents accidents but also turns your collection into a functional art piece.
Hooks, Pegs, and Under-Cabinet Magic
Maximize unused space with under-cabinet hooks or wall-mounted pegboards. Hanging mugs upside down saves cabinet room and adds a café-like vibe to your kitchen.
I installed hooks under a shelf and now my seasonal mugs rotate effortlessly. Pumpkin mugs in fall, snowflakes in winter, florals in spring. For daily favorites like I’m Shot Without Coffee Mug, hooks make grabbing your go-to cup a breeze.
Pegboards take it a step further. Add hooks for mugs, small baskets for tea bags, and mini shelves for decorative mugs. It’s a functional display and keeps everything within reach.
Shelf Dividers and Modular Organizers
If you prefer classic shelves, you can maximize cabinet space & mug storage with these gadgets, ELYPRO Coffee Mug Organizers. Stack your coffee mugs, cups, or glasses vertically to instantly double your kitchen cabinet space. Perfect for small kitchens, apartments, RVs, and coffee bars where efficient mug organization is critical.
If I were soring my Born To Collection I would use these. Tall mugs stand proud at the back. Smaller mugs at the front. Each mug with a space, and you don’t have to worry about the wobbling chaos of stacked mugs.
Extra tip: Clear acrylic dividers are perfect—they blend in, let mugs shine, and are dishwasher safe if you need to clean them.
Specialty Storage for Collectors
Certain mugs deserve special treatment.
Vintage mugs like 90s McDonald’s Flintstones or Batman Forever editions should be displayed in glass-front cabinets. Light exposure? Minimal. Dust? None. Safe but visible.
Oversized mugs (like soup mugs) are perfect for drawer storage or slide-on baskets. Their weight and size make stacking risky, but organized horizontally, they’re easy to grab and fun to showcase.
CupofMood specialty mugs like I Love My Nana Mug deserve a front-and-center display on a floating shelf or tiered riser. They’re conversation starters and reminders of why you love your collection.
Creative DIY Hacks
For the DIY enthusiast, a few inexpensive tweaks can change everything:
- PVC Pipe Holders: Cut to size, painted, and glued to a base, they act as mini vertical cubbies for each mug. Perfect for quirky or tall mugs.
- Corkboard Mug Hooks: Push-pin small hooks into a corkboard. Hang mugs and rotate collections seasonally.
- Repurposed Spice Racks: Narrow racks intended for spices can hold mugs upright, freeing counter space.
- Repurposed Wine Racks: Yes, wine racks can store mugs! Upright bottles become vertical dividers for tall mugs, making the most of corner cabinets.
These hacks aren’t just functional—they add character to your kitchen. They say, “I’m a collector, I’m creative, and I love my mugs.”
Bonus Hack: Storage Fails That Make Me Laugh So I Don’t Cry
Even the best mug storage plans fail sometimes. Some of you may remember before the fire at our house, I use to stack all my cups, mugs and glasses on shelves that lined my office.
While I loved having them out to visually look at all of the time. I also realized how easy it is for them to get chipped or broken. Not to mention the amount of dusting and cleaning that had to be maintained!
Mug storage isn’t perfect. Some tips will work better in your space than others. The goal is safety, visibility, and joy. And, occasionally, humor.
Seasonal Rotation and Cataloging
Treat your mug collection like a mini museum. Rotate seasonal mugs every few months. Keep a “catalog” of your mugs in a simple spreadsheet or note app. Track which ones are displayed, which are in storage, and which are must-haves for upcoming coffee parties.
For example, my Funny Collection gets front-row placement in winter. In summer, the bright, colorful Sip & Splash Collection takes the spotlight.
Cataloging also helps curb guilt when a new CupofMood mug tempts me. I can see which mugs are “retired” in storage and plan a rotation—no clutter, no stress.
Drawer Inserts, Grid Organizers, and Tension Rods
For drawers too deep for a single layer, grid organizers and tension rods work wonders. Place rods vertically or horizontally to section off space. Each mug gets a compartment. Each handle faces the same direction.
I added tension rods for my Born To Collection and Rae Dunn collection. The difference is night and day: no more clinking, no more toppling towers, just a neat, accessible collection.
Lazy Susans and Corner Solutions
Corners are tricky for mug storage, but rotating lazy susans make them accessible. Place a few mugs on a small turntable in a corner cabinet. Spin to grab the one you want without disturbing the rest.
I use this trick for my seasonal mugs, like Halloween and Christmas pieces. A small Born To Shop Mug or Coffee Before Talkie Mug sits on top for easy morning access.
Collector Confessions: Mug Stories
Let’s be honest—I’ve bought mugs just because they were cute. Sometimes two, sometimes five in one trip. In fact, that’s how CupofMood got started!
My kitchen counter looked like a mug battle zone. One time, a rare Rae Dunn mug slipped and hit the tile…survived, thank goodness, but it taught me to rotate and organize seriously.
Another time, I rediscovered a “lost” I Love My Nana Mug in a drawer. Joy! That’s the magic of thoughtful storage—no mug gets left behind.
Small Kitchen & Apartment Tips
Not everyone has sprawling cabinets. If you’re in a small kitchen or rental:
- Use over-the-door hooks for mugs inside cabinets or pantry doors.
- Slide-on baskets fit perfectly on shallow shelves.
- Magnetic strips with small metal hooks can hold light mugs on a wall.
- Stackable organizers and risers can double your shelf space without drilling holes.
Even in a compact kitchen, every mug can have its place—and you can still grow your CupofMood collection guilt-free.
Internal Linking for Extra CupofMood Fun
For readers who love organized mug inspiration, I link to a few posts on my site:
- Check out the Rae Dunn Trends Blog to see which mugs are rising in collector popularity.
- See my Beach and Tervis Drinkware Storage for outdoor-friendly mug solutions.
- For snack and chocolate lovers, the Reasons You’re Craving Chocolate post pairs perfectly with cozy mug mornings.
Internal linking helps readers explore more and keeps your collection and advice top-of-mind.
Final Thoughts: Guilt-Free Collecting
Mug storage is more than organization—it’s self-expression. Each solution reflects your personality: the color-coded drawers, the tiered risers, the floating shelves. Collectors like me need guilt-free ways to expand our CupofMood collections without clutter or stress.
Celebrate your mugs. Display them. Rotate them. Store them safely. And laugh when something inevitably tips over. You’ve earned it.
Whether it’s your I’m Shot Without Coffee Mug or a rare 90s McDonald’s mug, the right mug storage solution lets every cup shine.
With drawer dividers, slide-on baskets, hooks, risers, pegboards, cataloging, lazy susans, and corner solutions, you can organize a massive collection and still have room for that next cheeky mug purchase. Your kitchen will look stunning, your collection will be safe, and every coffee break will feel like a mini celebration.
Enjoy your mugs, enjoy your mornings, and enjoy guilt-free collecting—because the right storage makes it all possible.
Until next time,
Namaste,
Khadeeja
