Ahh…the junk drawer. We all have (at least) one. I don’t know how things work in your home, but in my house, the junk drawer tends to take on a life of its own. Every time I try to organize my junk drawer, I find myself asking, “How did THAT get in here?” Thankfully, junk drawer organization has never been easier… as long as you follow these quick and easy tips.
JUNK DRAWER ORGANIZATION IDEAS
THINGS THAT DO NOT BELONG IN A JUNK DRAWER
Raise your hand if your junk drawer currently contains items that belong somewhere else. Uh huh…that’s what I thought. Don’t worry, even us semi-professional organizers like to cram things inside our junk drawers that have no business being there. Things like:
- silverware
- dollar store toys
- snack foods
- cleaning products
- makeup
- office supplies (beyond a couple of pens and a notepad)
- pet supplies (these belong in a cupboard/drawer of their own)
- random notes scribbled on scrap paper
- personal hygiene products
- books/magazines
- owners manuals
- loose change
- old business cards
- coupons
- medicine
THINGS THAT DO BELONG IN A JUNK DRAWER
That said, there are plenty of items which can be happily housed inside a junk drawer. An organized junk drawer may contain:
- a flashlight
- matches/lighter
- zip ties
- scissors
- measuring tape
- all-in-one screwdriver
- scotch, packing, and duck tape
- super & Elmers glue
- batteries ( & a tester)
- small sewing kit
- a couple of pens/pencils and a notepad
- furniture touch-up pens
- lint roller
- stain stick (for clothing)
- misc screws, nails, wire nuts
- small hammer
- swiss army knife (or another multi-purpose tool)
- double-sided tape
- velcro
- small first aid kit
- take out menus
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JUNK DRAWER ORGANIZATION IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS
So, just how exactly are you supposed to achieve junk drawer nirvana? I’m so glad you asked!
STEP 1 | DECIDE THE BEST USE/LOCATION FOR YOUR JUNK DRAWER
The first step to quick and easy junk drawer organization is to decide exactly what purpose you’d like your junk drawer to serve. Once you know this, you can then choose the perfect location for your junk drawer.
For example, if you need a junk drawer for random office supplies which you use outside of the office area, first decide which items you’ll need to keep in the drawer. Next, pick a spot in your home where you find yourself using these items the most. This might be near the front door, or next to a kitchen counter.
STEP 2 | CLEAR EVERYTHING OUT OF THE DRAWER
If you’re trying to organize an existing junk drawer, you’ll need to completely empty out the drawer first. Sorry, there’s no way around this step. Things always have to get worse before they can get better.
*Tip: Once your drawer is empty, go ahead and give it a quick wipedown and install some contact paper in a fun/pretty print.
STEP 3 | PURGE & CATEGORIZE
Be ruthless in deciding which items need to be in your junk drawer and which items belong somewhere else in your home. Remember, you want to be able to open and close the junk drawer easily as well as know what’s inside.
Once you’ve made your final decisions on which items to keep you’ll need to group like items together before moving on to the next step.
STEP 4 | FIND CREATIVE (AKA…CHEAP) STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR JUNK DRAWER
Now, it’s time for my favorite part of junk drawer organization!
I firmly believe that junk drawer storage solutions should be either (1) cheap or (2) free. There’s no need to raid the nearest container store when you can raid your own home for creative junk drawer storage solutions. Chances are, you already have many of these items lying around.
- egg cartons-to organize small screws, nails, etc.
- small Tupperware containers (with or without lids)
- small glass bowls
- ice cube trays (silicone or plastic)
- silicone muffin cups
- muffin tins
- teacups
- cereal boxes, cut to fit and covered with contact paper
- random small electronic/product boxes. (Apple product boxes work well)
- washi tape (for wires/cords)
- rubber bands/velcro strips (to hold pens, batteries, etc.)
- a flatware tray
- small dollar store containers
- fishing lure boxes
Tip: You can create your own custom junk drawer organizer with random scraps of wood (see how here).
STEP 5 | REGULARLY REPEAT THE PROCESS
When it comes to junk drawer organization, the most important thing you’ll need to remember is to NEVER…EVER forget about your junk drawer. Trust me, this is easier said than done!
If you periodically repeat these 5 simple steps (say, every few months or so), you’ll never have to sift through piles of randomness in your junk drawer again.
READ MORE:
- Declutter Fast: With The Shock Treatment Declutter Method
- How To Declutter When You Think You Don’t Have Time To
- You Might Be A Hoarder If…20 Symptoms Of Compulsive Hoarding
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