It’s only a matter of time before a junk drawer becomes a deposit for clutter (as if we need more clutter to manage!). So today, I wanted to share some junk drawer organization and decluttering tips to keep things tidy for good (or for as long as you possibly can 😉)!
~The following contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure policy here.~
Supplies Needed To Organize Your ‘Junk’ Drawer
📌Drawer organizer of your choice (I used this one for maximum flexibility; see a similar one here).
📌1 Garbage bin
📌1 Bin/Box for Recycling
📌1 Bin/box for Relocating
✨ Check out a wide range of drawer organizing options at the bottom of the post ✨
TIPS: JUNK DRAWER ORGANIZATION & DECLUTTERING
Tip #1: Declutter
Pull out any items that immediately need to be tossed, recycled or relocated.
To make clean-up quicker and easier, have 3 bins or boxes out for this purpose.
I am a BIG believer in reducing the clean-up time afterward and this method has been my best time-saver for other decluttering and organizing around the house.
✳️ See my approach in action in this ‘Declutter & Organize with Me’ video on my YouTube channel HERE.
It doesn’t have to be thorough or perfect; just pull out what you don’t think you’ll be using in your junk drawer anymore. You can always change your mind later.
I purged quite a bit in that first run, but later put back some of the items from my ‘relocate’ box.
This is our junk drawer, after the big purge!
Tip #2: Set Up A Solid Foundation: Namely, a Drawer Organizer
Choose whatever drawer organizing system that suits your needs (see a list of suggestions at the bottom of this post 👇).
For this project, I removed the old organizer for use elsewhere in order to make room for a new, more flexible system.
Unlike other kitchen drawers which have a fixed configuration, this new system allows me to configure each compartment separately.
It includes 4 long dividers, 3 long inserts, 6 short inserts (and 4 spare dowels) – for maximum flexibility.
Each divider comes with a spring-loaded extension bar. The bar is locked in place with a small dowel insert.
Release the lock by pushing down on the end, allowing the dowel to pop out.
Begin adding dividers and inserts into drawer. The extendable bar adjusts to the size of your drawer.
Begin adding inserts to create compartments.
This organizing system allowed me to place dividers where-ever I needed them, creating wider and narrower spaces, as I went along.
Tip #3: Start Organizing Your ‘Junk’
Group ‘like’ items with ‘like’ and begin to place them into each compartment.
In my case, I added items to the compartments as I created them.
I discovered that with my new drawer dividers, I had a LOT more space available.
Because of this, I moved some from my ‘relocate’ pile back to the junk drawer. With space STILL left over, I was able to add still more items to that drawer.
I did not need to use all the inserts for this configuration. As my needs change, I’ll be able to reconfigure things and add or remove compartments.
Here is the ‘before’ and ‘after’ of my new junk drawer:
This junk drawer organization (or should I say re-organization) has made such a difference. Not only did it organize our ‘junk’ but I was also able to free up space from other drawers by relocating items from those drawers into my newly-organized junk drawer.
BONUS TIPS:
1. Measure: Before looking for a drawer organizer, make sure to measure your drawer first. My drawers are extra deep, so many ‘standard’ sizes wouldn’t do. It took me a bit of time to find an organizer that fit this drawer.
2. Review Your Needs: Not all organizing systems are right for you. Maybe you require lots of small compartments; maybe you want long compartments; or maybe it’s a bit of both. Whatever you require, look for a system that comes the closest to meeting your current needs (with some room to grow).
3. Declutter (and Keep on Decluttering): The best thing you can do for yourself is to declutter before you reorganize. But once you have a good system in place, decluttering every so often will make keeping your ‘junk’ drawer that much more organized, long-term.
SHOPPING LINKS
DRAWER ORGANIZING SYSTEMS
Below is a list of shopping links with a range of affordable systems on Amazon (including the drawer dividers featured in my blog post: #4 on the list).
👇 Click the corresponding number to be taken directly to the product page 👇
1. Interlocking Drawer Organizing Trays, 2-Pack
2. Clear Plastic Adjustable Dividers, 8-Pack
3. Adjustable Bamboo Drawer Dividers, 4-Piece Set (Black or Natural; small & large sizes available)
4. Adjustable Bamboo Drawer Dividers with Inserts (available in small and large) OR see similar Drawer Dividers with Inserts here
5. Clear Drawer Dividers, 20 Pieces, 5 sizes OR see Similar Sets here.
6. Basic Interlocking Drawer Organizer, 8 Pieces OR see Similar Set here.
7. Adjustable Bamboo Drawer Dividers (available in small or large and in 3 different colours).
8. Bamboo Drawer Organizer with Trays and Inserts OR see Similar Organizer Here.
9. Basic Interlocking Drawer Organizer, 8 Pieces
10. Drawer Organizer System, 24 Pieces
11. Expandable Bamboo Drawer Organizer
12. Basic Clear Drawer Organizer, 6 Pieces
I know that it’s a constant battle to keep our ‘junk’ organized, but I hope these junk drawer organization and decluttering tips were helpful to all of you lovely readers out there.
Happy organizing 🙂
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