Organizing a Junk Drawer 101
The quick and easy way to learn how to organize a junk drawer.
We know you’ve got one: a drawer somewhere in the house that’s filled with various random items, from batteries to takeout menus. They’re great for storing objects that don’t have a permanent home but are always needed. And they’re often a reflection of the people who live there. Everyone has one, but not everyone knows how to organize a junk drawer. While your house may be clean and in order, the unkempt junk drawer always remains. It’s the final frontier of organization. Keep reading to find out what it takes to master the art of organizing a junk drawer.
How to Get Started Organizing a Junk Drawer
Step 1: Declutter. Get rid of anything you don’t need anymore.
Step 2: Clean. Junk drawers and the items inside them are never the most sanitary. Remove the items and wipe them down. Be sure to wipe the inside of the drawer before replacing the items.
Step 3: Group like items. Arrange similar items together for easy access.
Step 4: Store. Store each group in their own compartment of a drawer organizer.
Junk Drawer Organization Ideas
1. Storage for a Busy Bee
Learning how to organize a junk drawer always starts with taking inventory of the items that need organizing. If your junk drawer is composed of a lot of small objects, getting a clothing drawer organizer is a great way to go. Organizing a junk drawer with these types of organizers will help you categorize similar things in a way that will make it easy to store and find them later. Organizers with compartments of similar size and shape, like the honeycomb-style organizer pictured above, are great for items like undergarments, makeup, nail polish, etc.
Although the common term is “junk drawer,” most of the time, the items in that drawer are not considered junk at all. Sometimes the objects are actually quite valuable! And that is where spice jar organizers come in handy. The thing that separates them from other organizers is that one side of each compartment is raised, allowing you to see all your items clearly right there in the drawer. Organizing a junk drawer with this organizer can help you see important letters or differentiate between labels on medication in seconds.
Organizing a junk drawer with a lot of different items is easy with a drawer organizer set. Sets like the one pictured above allow you to pick and choose what size compartments you need for your grouped objects. This is great if you’ve got a mashup of a lot of different items. These sets could easily be used in kitchens and offices to store measuring tape, batteries, and tape. Or use one in a craft room for scissors, glue sticks, and safety pins.
If your junk drawer happens to be in the fridge or freezer, check out food storage drawer organizers. Organizing a junk drawer that just happens to be in the fridge or freezer has never been easier! These organizers are made for low temperatures and easy cleanup. Metal, wood, and bamboo can’t withstand the cold as well as plastic can. Plastic organizers won’t stain from a leak (like wood might) or rust from moisture (like metal might).
Since one of the most-used junk drawers is the silverware drawer, it’s imperative that this drawer be organized. Just think about how many times a day you need it in order to eat a meal. If you’re stuck on how to organize a junk drawer full of silverware, you’re in luck! There are drawer organizers that are specially designed for flatware and kitchen utensils. These organizers make accessing what you need a no-brainer. Each one comes with differently sized compartments that are made to fit average-sized forks, knives, and spoons. If you need larger compartments for larger utensils, many drawer organizers (like the one pictured above) come with those too.
Many kitchen gadgets come in imperfect shapes and can be hard to organize because they don’t fit into most drawer organizer compartments. Don’t let those odd shapes discourage you from organizing a junk drawer – gather your garlic press, pie cutter, peeler, ladle, and other oddly shaped tools and put them in an adjustable drawer organizer. And don't feel limited to using these only in the kitchen – you can use adjustable organizers in any junk drawer that has unusually shaped items (like a toolbox).
One thing that may stop many people from organizing a junk drawer is that they think the organizer won't be as sturdy as the drawer itself. What’s great about plastic drawer organizers is that they can really take a beating. Compared to metal that can bend, wood that can warp, or fabric that can tear, plastic is the best option for children or those who can be more heavy handed with their items. Having a plastic drawer organizer can also help you save your drawer from the wear and tear it may have gone through without an organizer.
A lot of drawer organizers are made from plastic or other materials that may not be the best for the planet in the long term. If sustainability is getting in the way of you organizing a junk drawer, take a look at some sustainable options for organizers. There are a wide range of options to choose from – check out recycled drawer organizers to give recycled materials a second life or take a look at organizers that are environmentally preferred and have a lower environmental impact.
Understanding how to organize a junk drawer begins with understanding the space you need to fill. If your drawer is an awkward shape, it can be hard to find the perfect fit. Nevertheless, there is a solution: trimmable drawer organizers. Most are constructed out of a plastic that is made for trimming with a pair of scissors. It’s a great solution for renters who aren’t able to alter anything. These are also a hack for the junk drawers that hold tiny yet important items like sewing needles or nails. With a trimmable drawer organizer, losing tiny objects in the gaps left by other drawer organizers is a thing of the past!