Junk Drawer Clutter

Do you have a junk drawer? I do. It's in the kitchen. In fact, the vast majority of junk drawers are in people's kitchens. I guess the kitchen is popular because it is the hub in most homes. And, there is countertop space to put the things you pull out of the drawer while looking for something else in the junk drawer. You know, that thing that is never in the junk drawer but that's the first place we look for "that thing".

I am not going to tell you not to have a junk drawer. I'm going to recommend that you organize it a bit so that instead of a junk drawer, it can be called your SPECIAL drawer.

Here are just a few simple steps to make the change from junk drawer to special drawer:

REMOVE EVERYTHING. Take everything out of the drawer and place it on top of your counter. If your junk drawer is removable, remove it from the track and turn it upside down onto your counter. You may want to lay a sheet of newspaper down first to help protect your countertop.

SORT. On your counter, begin categorizing each widget (i.e. thumbtacks in one pile, buttons in another, twist ties in another, and so on.) By the way, when you come across a widget that you can't identify, put it aside. Check with others in your family to determine if it; a) can be identified, and b) if it is truly needed. If not, toss it.

GET DIVIDERS. Find something around the house that you can slip into your drawer to keep these categorized items separated, such as an ice cube tray, drawer dividers, small boxes, or small plastic disposable bathroom cups. Organize these separators into your drawer. I find that the cheap plastic desk drawer trays work great. I also have found that empty prescription bottles are good for keeping small nails, screws and thumbtacks organized. Rubber bands are nasty when turned loose in a drawer, so I keep them corraled in plastic sandwich bag.

SORT INTO COMPARTMENTS. Finally, begin replacing the items you are going to keep, ensuring that each categorized item is in its own place. You're done! Voila! One minute you have a Junk Drawer, and the next minute, you have a Special Drawer!