3 easy steps to organize your junk drawer
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.
Here are a few of our favorite drawer organizers to help you determine which style will work best for you.
YouCopia Expandable Small Parts Organizer, $25 at The Container Store
The Container Store offers the innovative YouCopia Expandable Small Parts Organizer which provides the convenience of one organizer that easily adjusts to create small or large storage solutions.
Mainstays modular storage organizers, $5 at Walmart
We also love these Mainstays modular storage organizers that offer a pop of color, and come in a set with various sizes to accommodate a larger selection of items.
The trays also feature lift tabs so you can easily remove them from the drawer.
The Home Edit Office Drawer Edit Organizer, $16 at Walmart
The Home Edit Office Drawer Edit Organizer is another flexible option. This modular storage system is made of clear plastic so it is easy to see the contents of your drawer. You can even mix and match them with other Home Edit products.
Vtopmart 25-piece clear plastic drawer organizer set, $16 at Amazon
If you have large drawers or are planning to tackle more than one junk drawer, the Vtopmart 25-piece clear plastic drawer organizer set is the way to go! These sets come complete with 4 different size organizers and with 25 pieces you will have plenty of configurations to play around with.
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. You may even want to consider renaming it so you think twice about using it as a dumping ground for clutter!
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.