Every home has one: the drawer where miscellaneous items go to disappear. Batteries, rubber bands, takeout menus, spare keys, pens that may or may not work — it all ends up in the same jumbled mess.
Start with a Blank Slate
Before buying anything, empty the drawer completely. Sort items into three piles: keep, toss, and relocate. Many items in a junk drawer actually belong elsewhere.
Best Drawer Organizer Options
1. Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer
The most versatile option. This organizer expands from 12 to 19 inches to fit standard kitchen drawers, with adjustable dividers. The bamboo construction looks great and is more durable than plastic.
2. OXO Good Grips Drawer Organizer Tray
Plastic tray with removable dividers. The non-slip base keeps it from sliding, and the smooth plastic surface makes it easy to wipe clean.
3. InterDesign Linus Drawer Dividers
Clear acrylic dividers that click together in various configurations. The transparency makes it easy to see contents, and the modular design lets you customize the layout.
4. Rev-A-Shelf Drawer Peg System
For deeper drawers, this pegboard system lets you position pegs anywhere on the board to create custom compartments. Ideal for utensil drawers.
5. mDesign Stackable Drawer Bins
Small open-top bins that stack side by side. Perfect for tiny items like buttons, safety pins, and nails. The open top means you can grab items without removing the bin.
How to Design Your Drawer Layout
Group items by how frequently you use them. Put the most-used items in the front compartments. Less-used items go in the back. Use larger compartments for bulky items and smaller ones for tiny items.
Label for Maintenance
Once your drawer is organized, add labels to each compartment. This is the single most effective way to keep a drawer organized long-term. When every item has a labeled home, it takes conscious effort to mess it up.
The Most Common Junk Drawer Items (and Where They Actually Belong)
- Takeout menus: Photograph and save to your phone. Recycle the paper.
- Pens and markers: Test each one. Toss the dead ones.
- Expired coupons and gift cards: Recycle coupons. Use or regift gift cards.
- Spare keys: Label them immediately.
- Charging cables: Use a cable organizer clip to keep them untangled.
