Howdy ya’ll! Are you looking for ways to organize the junk drawer? I think we all struggle with overloaded drawers. Sticky notes and pens get lost under the mound of newspapers, chargers, and random I’ll deal with this later‘s. But good news! Organizing a junk drawer and keeping it organized isn’t as overwhelming as it seems!
Disclaimer- I am not a professional organizer or interior decorator. If you are looking for a professional opinion please stop reading now. But if you interested in some helpful tips, read on!
Clean out the junk DRAWER
The first thing that needs to happen is the “clear out”. Literally take everything out of the drawer! Start making piles (e.g., trash, stationary, phone accessories). As you dig through the drawer you will probably find things you have been looking for for weeks! And you will probably find things that you wonder why you even have it; if that is the case- throw it out or donate it!
I am somewhat of a packrat. I like to keep things for “future” use, then 5 years later I realize that I don’t need it. Don’t be like me! I am bettering myself in the packrat area, but I still give myself a year, maybe two to hold onto it. (hehe) However, there is a flip side to being a packrat, eventually something from 3 years ago may come in handy!
So try to be discerning before just throwing stuff out willy-nilly.
Sort out the NECESSITIES
There are certain things that okay to keep for years, like, pencils and notebooks. Stationary is always handy and will last an eternity! I am a pencil and paper kind of person and would ask for cute notebooks and fun pencil accessories as a child. I have received so many over the years that I wasn’t able to use them all. But I kept them, and now my kids are getting use out of them!
Scissors are another “okay to keep” item. Unless they are dull, of course. We have so many pairs that I put one in every area they are handy- kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, my bedroom.
If you aren’t sure if you should keep an item ask yourself these questions:
- Will it go bad?
- Can I use it a year from now?
- Do I have space for it?
organize the junk
Now that you have the unwanted clutter gone it’s time to organize! One of my favorite organizational tools is a basket! I have baskets of every shape and size you can think of. But I hate spending a fortune on them because more than likely they will end up cracked or completely destroyed by my kiddos. So, I hit the local dollar store, thrift store, or clearance racks. Baskets are this moms best friend!
don’t leave wasted space
The baskets I like to use in my drawers are from the dollar store. A two pack for $1 isn’t going to break the bank! (Just be sure to measure the inside of your drawer before purchasing to be sure they will fit.)
Be creative with your organization! Two of the same size baskets may not work in your drawer, but don’t leave the wasted space. You can utilize just about any space simply by changing the size and shape of the basket.
Another little tool I like to use are mini food storage containers with lids. (I don’t buy these by the case, I purchase them in store.) Mommas, if you have girls these will be super handy! I use them for my daughters hair rubber bands. They are also great for bobby-pins and clips. You can store just about anything in them and the best part is you get 10 for $1!
These are not only great for hair accessories but are also handy in your junk drawer. You can store rubber bands, paperclips, and erasers just to name a few. Plus, being that they have lids they are stackable!
keep your junk drawer junk free
You now have a wonderfully organized drawer that is meant for more than “keeping junk”. But how do you keep from falling back into the cluttered madness? Simple, if it doesn’t have a place in that drawer, don’t put it there! (And no, that doesn’t mean you junk up another drawer.) I know it’s easier to deal with certain things later. I am guilty of that too. But by doing that we only make things harder for ourselves later, and Lord knows we have enough to deal with on a daily basis.
If you know you get the newspaper every week and you want to read it in a day or two, then designate a spot for it in your drawer. One thing I found that works for me is an “odd and ends” basket. I use it for things that I don’t have time RIGHT NOW to take care of. Like, the kids need a toy glued, or a random washer was found and I have no clue what it goes to, or I have change that needs divided between piggy banks. Life always gives you “odds and ends”, my theory is to be prepared for them!
It’s okay to reorganize
Life changes as our kids get older, so more than likely your storage needs will change as well! Don’t be afraid to move stuff around and change out the items in your junk drawer. This will help you stay organized and spend less time searching for things. It will also help your kids be more independent because they will be able to find items by themselves.
I hope this article was helpful! Enjoy your junk free junk drawer!!
If you are looking for more ways to add organization to your home check out my Mom Hacks and How to create an art station for the kiddos!