How to Organize Junk Drawers Once and for All

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We’ve all got one. That dreaded drawer usually in the kitchen that ends up being a catch all for things that don’t have a home elsewhere. And I guarantee that junk drawer is really hard to keep organized. Am I right?

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One of the biggest eye sores in my home is the junk drawer. It’s spent the last 6 months (or more) being too full to even open properly. That’s how bad it was folks. And in case you don’t believe me, here’s proof.

With March in full swing, I am tackling de-cluttering and organizing areas in my home that are in dire need, and this junk drawer was at the top of my list.

How to Organize Junk Drawers Once and for All

Take everything out and wipe the drawer down

The best way to tackle an organizing project, whether it be a closet, dresser or junk drawer, is to start with a blank, clean canvas. I don’t know how it happens, but it never fails that the bottom of the junk drawer always gets coated in crumbs and pet hair in my house. Gross! 

Line bottom of drawer with a pretty paper

This can be scrapbook paper, contact paper, wrapping paper–any kind of paper. You may be wondering what lining a junk drawer has to do with keeping it organized, but opening a drawer and seeing a pretty pattern sneaking through makes me happy and I’m sure it will make you happy too. Plus, it gives more motivation to keep that junk drawer clean and organized.

Use baskets, upcycle trash or build your own dividers

Get creative! I happened to have a TON of little plastic baskets that weren’t being used from previous organization projects, as well as a utensil holder I was already using in the drawer. You could use cereal boxes cut down to size, glass jars or aluminum cans (washed out of course) or even build your own custom dividers.

Here’s some ideas:

I Heart Organizing

JRL Woodworking

Balancing Home

Store like items together

This may be a no brainer, but storing items that have similar uses together makes it easy to keep the junk drawer organized. For example, keeping pens and note pads together, or chalk and erasers, hardware and screwdrivers etc.

Label, Label, Label

I only have 2 jars in my finished organized junk drawer so I didn’t label them, but if you are using any sort of lidded jar/basket/container be sure to slap a pretty label on it. This way you know what container houses what items and that makes it easier for you (and everyone else in the house) to put things away each time. 

Following these easy steps will help you organize that junk drawer, and keep it that way. Plus who doesn’t love looking at a neatly organized junk drawer?

What other tips do you have when it comes to organizing junk drawers?

Other helpful organization tips:

Paper and Mail Organization System

Paper and Mail Organization System