How to Organize Your Junk Drawer

Organize and clean a kitchen staple: The junk drawer!

Every home has one: the messy utility drawer. From extra sauce packets to napkins, lighters, plastic utensils, playing cards, gum, mints, extra pens and pencils to even the monthly internet bill you accidentally stashed, the junk drawer is full of surprises.

While it can get messy, random junk can easily be organized if you take the necessary steps. Let’s dive into tips for how to organize your junk drawer.

You may not call it a junk drawer exactly and people call it by different names. Still, there’s a good chance that you already have at least one in your home.

A junk drawer, or catchall drawer, is typically where all of your miscellaneous small items are because you’re not sure where else to put it, and you don’t want to throw it out as you might still use it.

Top 10 items in a junk drawer

As a general guide, the top 10 items in a junk drawer typically include items you may need at some point, but don’t want to throw away.

1. Spare keys.
2. Measuring tape.
3. Scissors.
4. Batteries.
5. Stain remover pen.
6. Iphone charger.
7. Pens that actually work.
8. Screen wipes
9. Screwdriver.
10. Bandages.

In the end, however, there may still be a lot of junk that needs to be removed. LoadUp is here to help make that process a breeze!

Junk drawers can be an amazing spot in your home. There’s nothing like that feeling of finding the thing you were looking for in the junk drawer, which is likely why they’re so popular! However, a messy junk drawer means it’s time to declutter. If you haven’t used that old charger in the past few years, there’s a good chance that you won’t need it in the future.

If you find its more than the drawer than needs junk removed, it could be time to declutter your entire home. Cleaning out your junk drawer of mess and organizing the important items is the first step towards a decluttered home!

Maybe the living room is getting too messy. LoadUp can help when you clean out your junk drawer by removing your unwanted items and finding the most eco-friendly disposal method.

The best way to start organizing is to decide what belongs in a junk drawer.. and what does NOT belong in a junk drawer. While it sounds simple, the best practice is to start by taking everything out. Not only is this the first step in being the best junk drawer organizer, it will give you a fresh space to help determine what you choose to keep and what’s okay to toss out.

It’s important to think about the likelihood that you’ll use an item in the future. If you haven’t used it in a while and don’t foresee a use for it in the future, set it aside for tossing. Then, it’s time to organize the remaining items that you plan to keep in the drawer.

Once you’ve gone through everything, it’s time to organize. There are a few different ways that you can organize your junk. Here are some good junk drawer ideas and other alternatives.

• Containers: One way to organize your junk drawer is with little containers that divide up the larger space inside the junk drawer. Each little space created can be filled with different items to help keep everything neatly in its’ place.
• Drawer Organizer: There are special drawer organizers that can work with just about any size junk drawer. They are created in such a way that they expand or compact to fit perfectly, creating little sections of the drawer for all of your items.
• Muffin Tin: Another idea for keeping your junk drawer organized is to use items like a muffin tin to keep your items separated to make it easier to go through everything.
• Silverware Keeper: You may even have this item lying around after you replaced your old one. A silverware keeper can be a great junk drawer organizer. It has sections available for your different types of items, but it is also the right size since it’s meant to be stored in a kitchen drawer.
• Scattered: Some people prefer to jumble everything into the drawer and keep items somewhat together, categorized by type. After going through and removing the old items that will never be used again.

Sometimes, a junk drawer isn’t enough, or maybe your kitchen is too full already, and you want every available drawer available for your kitchen tools and supplies. Some junk drawer alternatives are exactly what you need. Here are some unique ideas of what you can use instead of a drawer.

Unique ideas you can use instead of a junk drawer.

Ottomans are great storage options in your home. They can hide away all kinds of bulky junk items while also giving you an extra seat or a place to put your feet up. Hidden storage is becoming a more accepted feature in many sofas and loveseats, so if you’re looking for ways to hide things you want to store in your home, they can be a great option.

Hanging baskets are another option you have instead of a junk drawer. Baskets that you can hang from the ceiling or on the wall are a great option when you have a smaller space. They give you the chance to store items conveniently without taking up floor space.

Storage bins or storage unitsare a practical alternative to the junk drawer. These are great if your junk drawer has taken up more drawers and you can’t part with any of the items in them. They are bigger and can fit even larger items. Since they are typically water-proof and sealed, you can store them in the basement, attic, garage, or an area where you have space.

Cubbies, storage cubes, and other similar furniture is another option that gives you more space and organizational options for your junk drawer. These typically can match your other furniture and be as simple or classy as you’d like. If there are other large furniture items that need to be removed for more space like couches, loveseats and recliners, LoadUp can help!

Once your junk drawer is finally organized, you may notice that it’s time to clean up some areas. So, get some great pictures of your hard work and move on to the next project.

Clean up the space around your junk drawer. It’s a good time to empty other bins and storage in your home.

Plus, you can eliminate all of those cardboard boxes and other items that pile up over time. LoadUp is ready to help you remove any unwanted bulky items like furniture or smaller items like unwanted appliances and cardboard boxes.

Then, you’ll be ready to take some more photos to share of how you’ve decluttered your space and figured out how to organize random junk, making it feel like new again.

Getting your junk drawer under control is a great way to get the most out of it when it comes time to find any item you have stored in it. You should have a great storage area following these ideas once you’re done. What happens to your items when it’s time to get rid of them? Rather than pitching all of your junk items in the trash, you can call on LoadUp to help.

We’ll help you find the most eco-friendly way to dispose of your unwanted items. Plus, did you know that LoadUp also helps with assembly? If you decide to get a new storage cabinet or another piece of furniture as an alternative to the traditional junk drawer in the kitchen, we can help you get the furniture put together right in a timely fashion. Let us help you make your junk drawer organization process a breeze!

Related Articles from the Trash Talk blog:

• Easy steps to clean out the pantry.
• 14 day challenge to declutter and organize your space!
• Organize and declutter your kitchen with this helpful guide.
• The ultimate guide to organizing and decluttering your closet.