3 easy steps to organize your junk drawer
According to a recent ClosetMaid poll, 88% of American households have at least one junk drawer. Once a source of embarrassment, junk drawers are about as common as having a coat closet. While they may serve an important purpose – to corral all the small things that have no other home – they become an endless pit of clutter.
Usually found in the kitchen, junk drawers become the landing place for miscellaneous items that may or may not belong elsewhere. The illusion of convenience tempts us to put every little thing inside this one drawer.
The reality is that it becomes overwhelming and time-consuming to dig through batteries, playing cards, pens, and a hundred other items, trying to find the scissors. Luckily, with these three easy steps, you can organize your junk drawer and make it a little less scary the next time you open it.
Step 1: Empty everything out
The first step in organizing your junk drawer is to figure out exactly what you are dealing with. Dump out the contents of your drawer on a clear counter or tabletop. This can be a daunting task, but a very necessary one to be able to truly declutter.
You’ll want to have some basic cleaning supplies on hand so you can wipe down your empty drawer. This will give you a fresh start as you think about how to make it more functional. Don’t forget to have a trash bag ready, as you are going to need it for step two.
Step 2: Time to sort and purge
Now it’s time to say goodbye to anything in your junk pile that is broken, expired, or doesn’t have a purpose. Test out those markers and pens and toss anything that doesn’t work. For each item, ask yourself if you still need it. If the answer is no – or you don’t even know what it is – toss it.
The easiest way to sort is to group similarly themed items. The quantity of like items will help determine how many organizers you will need, and in which sizes. Consider getting specific organizers for larger items like flashlights, rulers, and notepads. As you are sorting, determine if there is a more practical place in your home to store the item so you can free up drawer space.
Step 3: Organize and enjoy
Once your drawer is cleaned out and everything has been sorted and purged, it’s time to get some junk drawer organizers to create mini stations inside your drawer. Measure your drawer first so you have an idea of how large your organizers can be.
One final tip: Before you load your items back into your drawer, we recommend using a label maker to label each of the compartments so everyone can quickly see where things go before putting anything in the drawer. Label the back inside edge of the container so you can still see it when the compartment is in place. Now that you’ve given your junk drawer a makeover, it should be much less stressful to open it, and you’ll save time finding what you need. Like other areas of your home, the key to keeping it organized is to revisit it every few months.