Expert Organizers on Decluttering kitchen Drawers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Is looking through messy kitchen drawers frustrating? A recent survey found that 78% of homeowners say their kitchen drawers are the most disorganized area. From mixed-up utensils to forgotten gadgets, messy drawers waste time and stress cooking.

The good news? With some planning and organization, you can turn those cluttered drawers into useful storage spaces that make cooking enjoyable again.

Decluttering Kitchen Drawers

Let’s break down the process into manageable steps that will help you reclaim control of your kitchen drawers once and for all.

Step 1: Empty and Assess

Start with a clean slate. Take everything out of your drawers and spread it on a counter or table where you can see all items.

Sort everything into four piles:

• Keep: Items you use at least once a month
• Store elsewhere: Kitchen items that don’t need to be in drawers
• Donate/sell: Good items you don’t use anymore
• Trash: Broken or worn-out items

Try the “5-second rule” for deciding what to keep: If you have to think about it for more than 5 seconds, it’s probably time to let it go. This helps you avoid keeping things you rarely use.

“Most people only use about 20% of their kitchen tools regularly,” says organizer Sarah Mitchell. “The rest just creates clutter.”

Ask yourself:

• When did I last use this?
• Do I have other tools that do the same job?
• Does this item help me, or is it just taking up space?

Step 2: Clean and Prepare

Now that your drawers are empty, clean them well. Take out any old liners and wipe down the inside with a mild cleaner that works for your drawer material.

Use gentle wood cleaner for wooden drawers and don’t get them too wet. For plastic or metal drawers, an all-purpose cleaner works fine. Don’t miss the corners and edges where crumbs hide!

Once the drawers are clean and dry, think about adding new liners. These liners:

• Protect the drawer bottom
• Cut down on noise from moving items
• Add color to brighten your kitchen
• Make cleaning easier next time

Non-slip liners are great for utensil drawers, while soft liners help protect fragile items. Measure your drawers before buying liners so they fit right.

Step 3: Organize and Arrange

Now for the fun part—creating a system that works for you! The key is to group similar items and give everything a home.

For utensil drawers, use dividers that adjust to create sections. For deep drawers, try stackable organizers to use the height. Shallow drawers work best with single-layer organizers that let you see everything at once.

Try these ideas for different drawer types:

Utensil Drawers:

• Use dividers that adjust to fit your drawer width
• Put most-used utensils in the front
• Group items by how you use them (cooking, serving, etc.)

Junk Drawers:

• Use small containers for things like batteries and pens
• Choose clear dividers so you can see what’s inside
• Add labels if the whole family uses this drawer

Spice Drawers:

• Use tiered racks so you can see all labels
• Sort by alphabet or how often you use them
• Try matching containers for a neater look

For oddly shaped tools, think about whether they really need to be in a drawer. Wall hooks, pegboards, or countertop holders might work better for items you use every day.

Step 4: Maintain and Optimize

The key to keeping drawers tidy over time is regular maintenance. Set a reminder to check your drawers every three months. This quick check helps stop clutter before it builds up again.

Try these habits:

• Put things back in their spots right after using them
• Wipe down organizers monthly to remove crumbs and dust
• Update your system as your cooking habits change

Jessica, a homeowner, says: “I was always annoyed with my messy kitchen drawers until I started using a ‘one in, one out’ rule. Now when I buy a new kitchen tool, I donate or toss an old one. My drawers have stayed neat for over a year!”

Common challenges:

• Growing collection: As you cook more, you might buy more tools. Regularly check if everything still deserves drawer space.
• Multiple users: If your whole family uses the kitchen, make your system simple and add labels.
• Seasonal items: Store holiday or seasonal cooking tools elsewhere when you’re not using them.

Step 5: Eco-Friendly Decluttering

When you declutter, think about the impact on the environment. Instead of throwing things in the trash, try these greener options:

• Donate: Give usable items to shelters, community centers, or thrift stores.
• Sell or gift: Use online marketplaces to find new homes for good kitchen tools.
• Recycle: Ask your local recycling center about recycling metal utensils or plastic organizers.

You can also reuse items in creative ways:

• Use clean jar lids as small sorting trays
• Cut down cardboard boxes to make drawer dividers
• Reuse empty spice containers to store small items like toothpicks

“Green decluttering isn’t just about what you throw away,” says Mark Johnson, who works on environmental issues. “It’s also about being careful about what you bring into your home in the first place.”

10 Pro Tips for Making the Most of Kitchen Drawer Space

Here are top tips from professional organizers to help you maximize your drawer space:

1. Use height: In deep drawers, stack organizers to use all the vertical space.
2. Keep things where you use them: Store cooking utensils near the stove and baking tools near your baking area.
3. File instead of stack: Stand items up when possible, like kitchen towels folded and placed on their edges.
4. Corral small items: Use small containers to keep tiny gadgets from getting lost or making a mess.
5. Think about workflow: Put often-used items at the front of drawers and less-used items toward the back.
6. Try DIY solutions: Use tension rods as drawer dividers, ice cube trays for tiny items, or binder clips to keep food bags closed.
7. Consider drawer insert types: Expandable bamboo organizers, plastic bin sets, and customizable divider systems all work well.
8. Add drawer lighting: Stick-on LED lights help you see everything in deep or dark drawers.
9. Label everything: Even if it seems obvious, labels help everyone in the household maintain the system.
10. Remove packaging: Throw away bulky packaging from new kitchen tools before storing them to save space.

How to Organize Different Types of Kitchen Drawers

Each type of drawer needs its approach. Here’s how to handle common kitchen drawer types:

Utensil Drawers Try these ideas:

• Two-level trays to separate everyday utensils from special ones
• Diagonal organizers that let you fit more in the same space
• Custom-fit inserts made for your exact drawer size

Spice Drawers Keep your spices in order with:

• Slanted inserts so you can read labels easily
• Matching jars with labels on the tops for easy viewing
• Dividers group similar spices together

Pantry Drawers For food storage:

• Clear containers with tight seals for flour, sugar, and other dry goods
• Bins with handles for easy access to packaged foods
• Labels that include expiration dates

Under-sink Drawers These tricky spaces work best with:

• Pull-out organizers that work around pipes
• Waterproof bins to protect against leaks
• Upright dividers for cleaning bottles

Quick Tips

Organizing your kitchen drawers isn’t just about making them look nice—it’s about making cooking easier and more fun. When you can find what you need quickly, you’ll save time, feel less stressed, and might even cook more often!

Remember that the best system is one that works for your family. What matters most is being able to find what you need when you need it.

If the job seems too big, start small—maybe just one drawer this weekend. Once you see how nice that first organized drawer looks, you’ll want to do the rest!

What clever ways have you found to organize your kitchen drawers? What problems are you still trying to solve? Sharing ideas helps everyone find better ways to handle common kitchen challenges.

Good luck with your organizing project