How to Organize a Junk Drawer in 20 Minutes
A junk drawer is not a problem until you cannot find anything in it. The fix is dividers, not discipline.
The Quick Answer
What You'll Need
- A towel or tray to sort on
- Drawer dividers or small containers
- Trash bag
- Damp cloth
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Empty it onto a towel
Tip the whole drawer out. A towel keeps small parts from rolling away.
Step 2: Throw out the dead weight
Dried-up pens, dead batteries, broken items, unidentifiable cables and keys to nothing. This is usually half the volume.
Pro tip
Test pens on the back of an envelope as you go — it is quicker than deciding later.Step 3: Sort into four groups
Tools, stationery, batteries and cables, household odds. Four groups is enough; more becomes a filing system you will not maintain.
Step 4: Wipe and divide
Clean the empty drawer, then place dividers or small containers so each group has its own compartment.
Step 5: Leave one compartment empty
Keep a landing spot for the next round of genuinely new junk so it does not spread across the others.
Tips
- Test pens and batteries as you sort — dead ones are most of the volume.
- Measure the drawer before buying dividers; adjustable ones are more forgiving.
Common Mistakes
- Sorting inside the drawer instead of emptying it first.
- Keeping mystery cables and unknown keys indefinitely.
- Filling every compartment to the top, leaving no room for the next round.
Recommended Tools
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BAMEOS Bamboo Expandable Drawer Dividers — Set of 4
Spring-loaded bamboo drawer dividers that create adjustable sections without fixed compartments. Fits drawers approximately 16.6–22 inches across and is 2 inches high.
Frequently Asked Questions
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