The Best Junk Drawer Organizers, According to Organization Experts
Plus, here are some tips and tricks to help turn cluttered drawers into useful storage spaces.
A junk drawer gone wild is a frightening place. Need to find something fast? Forget it. BUT there are ways to reclaim that overstuffed space. We asked Holly Blakey (@breathing.room.home on Instagram) and Samantha Pregenzer (@simplyorganized on Instagram) for the best products for getting that junk drawer under control. And they gave us some advice on ways you can organize junk drawers so your things look clean and put together.
How to Organize Your Junk Drawer
1: Start by emptying out everything.
The very first thing you should do is empty out that junk drawer so you can really see what’s actually in there. Blakey recommends sorting everything using small bags or jars to categorize things if need be.
Jalynn Baker
2: Get rid of what you don’t need.
This is easier said than done, but Blakey and Pregenzer have a few tips they use. “Most junk drawer problems aren't actually organization problems, they're ‘too much stuff’ problems,” Pregenzer said. It’s ok to throw out something you haven’t used in the last month. “Letting go isn’t wasteful if you do it the right way — it’s intentional,” says Blakey. “You’re making room for what supports your current season of life.”
Jalynn Baker
3: Group like items together.
Frequency of use and category are great ways to group items together. Pens go with pens, tools go with tools etc. “But here's the key: you don't need a separate container for every single category,” Pregenzer said. “Sometimes a few items can share space. The goal is function, not perfection.” And, if something doesn’t belong, it may be better to put that item somewhere else.
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
4: Use what you have to sort out your junk drawer.
There may be things lying around your house that can help with your organization. “Look around your house for small boxes, containers from packaging or even shallow food storage containers you're not using,” says Pregenzer. “Old checkbook boxes, small gift boxes, or even folded pieces of cardboard can create perfect dividers.”
Say you’ve already decluttered and grouped all your junk drawer items together. Now, it’s time to refill the drawer with dividers, trays or other inserts to create designated zones for the “junk” you’re keeping. Beyond any recycled items, you’ll likely want to buy some simple organizers that fit your drawer and help you utilize every inch. Here are some junk drawer organizers and helpful tools that Blakey and Pregenzer recommend to keep your junk drawer neat and tidy.
Don’t buy a drawer to fit your organizer — buy an organizer that fits your drawer! This divider insert adjusts to suit the compartments you need for maximum organization. Blakey is a big fan of modular drawer dividers, and this one is a great option.
Another great modular divider option, Pregenzer’s pick comes with a set of labels for you to easily point out which groups are what and their expanding sides can adjust to fit drawers of all shapes and sizes.
You’re likely going to be in and out of your junk drawer often, so Blakey recommends getting containers that are easy to clean. This set of metal trays is sleek and stylish, and their rubber base protects them from slipping and sliding along your drawer’s surface.
Like Pregenzer says, “A junk drawer doesn't need to be beautiful. It needs to be functional,” so simple clear organizer trays will certainly get the job done. With four sizes, this set is versatile and great for any purpose.
You might be wondering why museum gel is a recommended product on this list, but Blakey finds that it has great purpose when it comes to organization: making sure that everything stays in place. Things won’t be slipping and sliding with this stuff on your containers, that’s for sure!
This light, handheld vacuum has a small crevice nozzle that can suck up all the dust and grime in those pesky drawer corners. Junk drawers are what Blakey calls “high-touch areas,” so be sure to keep them clean.
If you’re not sure how exactly to plan for your drawer, using a tape measure can really help. It’s important that everything your junk drawer is “sized to your space so the system can evolve with you,” according to Blakey.
