Declutter Your Home with These Quick and Easy Drawer Organizing Projects
There’s nothing like starting your day with a quick win, and that’s exactly what these drawer organizing projects can provide. We’ve all heard the advice to break down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks, and that’s exactly the approach I’ve taken with my goal of restoring our house to its ultra-organized state.
Breaking Down the Task into Smaller Projects
At the start of the year, I completed a few bigger projects, like organizing my tableware, decluttering my master closet, and rearranging the family linen closet. I also tidied the pantry and reworked the under-sink cabinet. But instead of feeling nearly done, I realized there were still many smaller areas that needed attention. With every room I walked into, new goals came into focus, and it seemed overwhelming. So, I decided to tackle one area each morning to generate a sense of accomplishment and make a dent in the progress.
Drawer Organizing Projects to Get You Started
The Vanity Drawer
Last week, I updated our daughter’s bathroom, and it was the perfect opportunity to organize the makeup in the vanity. Her makeup had been overflowing an organizer on the countertop, with half the bottles and tubes empty or close to it. I started by placing all like items together, tossing what was empty or completely dried out, and cleaning the rest. I outfitted the drawer with copper-edged containers and placed the products in, separated by use. When my daughter returns, she’ll likely be surprised to see everything removed from the countertop, but a quick look in the drawer will reveal how easy to find and accessible everything is!
Table Linens
I’m generally a stickler for keeping items in the room they’ll be used in, but there’s no more space in our dining room for table linens. Instead, I have designated an antique bureau in the living room as the place where I keep all my table linens. This piece has ample storage space but had become overrun with stacks of linens that began to topple over and become an unsightly mess. I emptied the drawer completely, taking everything out, and separated them into piles of sets I didn’t really love and those I definitely loved. My secret to determining how to assess those “maybes” fairly is to put back the definites and then return to the pile of maybes. If I realize I don’t want to put them in the drawer on top where I can see them, then I know they’ll likely not see much use in the future.
The Bedside Table
This drawer is one that’s been hanging over my head for a while, and I realized when I got into it how silly that was. Oftentimes, you’ll find that it’s the top layer that’s the messiest, which is likely the result of a system that’s not easy enough to upkeep. Such was the case with my bedside table. The top layer revealed things piled higher than was comfortable. But as soon as a few things were removed, what was left reflected a previously organized drawer. This would become the roadmap for the new organization plan.
The Kitchen Junk Drawer
I never really understood why it was called the junk drawer. Why are the things in this drawer any junkier than any other drawer? In our house, this is really the stationery supply drawer. But if you have one of those drawers with lots of unrelated items, you may need to reevaluate if some of those items can’t find a better home. I studied the way we appear to use the drawer and got containers that would match those needs. Don’t ask me what the dice are for!
The Oversized Spare Drawer
Much like the so-called junk drawer, sometimes you have an oversized kitchen drawer that attracts a strange mix of items. Ours is between the oven and the fridge, so of course, it has oven mitts. I also keep items for baking here, along with candles and chopsticks, and other loosely related items. The most important thing to do in order to keep an oversized drawer organized is to add drawer separators.
Tips for Easy and Effective Drawer Organization
Decluttering and organizing your drawers can be a daunting task, but with these tips, you can make it a breeze:
- Declutter First: Start by removing items you no longer need or use.
- Categorize Items: Group similar items together for easier organization.
- Invest in Drawer Dividers: Use dividers to create sections for different categories.
- Prioritize Daily Essentials: Keep frequently used items within easy reach.
- Fold Clothes Vertically: Maximizes space and visibility in clothing drawers.
- Utilize Clear Containers: Transparent containers help you see contents at a glance.
- Label Everything: Labels add a touch of organization and make finding items a breeze.
- Store Items by Frequency of Use: Place rarely used items toward the back.
- Roll Socks and Underwear: Saves space and keeps everything tidy.
- Use Drawer Liners: Protects drawers and adds a stylish touch.
- Create a Charging Station Drawer: Designate a drawer for charging cables, devices, and adapters.
- Repurpose Old Boxes: Shoeboxes or small containers can be handy organizers.
- Consider Adjustable Dividers: Allows you to customize compartments based on your needs.
- Store Bulky Items Wisely: Place larger items strategically to avoid overcrowding.
- Organize Office Supplies: Keep pens, paper, and office essentials in one dedicated drawer.
- Separate Small Accessories: Use small containers for jewelry, hair accessories, etc.
- Rotate Seasonal Items: Swap out seasonal items to keep drawers relevant.
- Utilize Vertical Space: Stack items vertically to make the most of drawer depth.
- Implement a Color Code System: Organize items by color for a visually appealing look.
- Regular Maintenance: Set aside time to declutter and reorganize periodically.
Conclusion
Decluttering and organizing your drawers can be a simple and effective way to start your day off right. By breaking down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks, you can create a sense of accomplishment and make a dent in the progress. Remember to declutter first, categorize items, and invest in drawer dividers to create sections for different categories. Prioritize daily essentials, fold clothes vertically, and utilize clear containers to make the most of your drawers. With these tips and a little bit of time each day, you can have your drawers organized in no time.
What are the benefits of organizing drawers? It helps in creating a tidy environment, saves space, and enhances accessibility to items.
How can breaking down larger projects into smaller tasks help in decluttering? It creates a sense of accomplishment and makes the overall process less overwhelming.
What tip is given for dealing with makeup in bathroom drawers? Group similar items, discard what is empty or unusable, and use containers for organization.
How should one handle oversized kitchen drawers? Add drawer separators to categorize items efficiently.
What are some tips for effective drawer organization? Declutter, categorize, use dividers, prioritize daily essentials, fold vertically, use clear containers, label items, store by frequency of use, roll socks/underwear, use liners, consider adjustable dividers, rotate seasonal items, utilize vertical space, color code, and maintain regular.
Why is it important to declutter before organizing drawers? It removes unnecessary items, making the organization process more efficient and effective.
What method is suggested for organizing seasonal items in drawers? Swap out seasonal items regularly to keep the drawers relevant and functional.
How can one make the most of the depth in a drawer? Stack items vertically to maximize space usage.
What is a charging station drawer, and why is it useful? A charging station drawer is designated for charging cables, devices, and adapters, keeping them organized and accessible.
