How to Control Your Junk Drawer For Good

Most of us have that one drawer in our kitchen that is full of junk. It’s our catch-all! Let me help you take control of your junk drawer!

Often in our homes, we have a bin, drawer, basket, or room where we stow away items in a panic when guests are coming! Anyone else?

Honestly, I have an entire room that is just a collect place for random things – mostly postponed decisions, or the typical “no emotional energy left” to deal with these things.

Take Control Of Your Junk Drawer — Disorganized Junk Drawer

I know in the Professional Organizer world, there is some sort of controversy about whether or not we should even have a drawer in our house that we designate for junk! The nerve! I grant permission to have a junk drawer in your kitchen!

The reality is we all have tiny items in our homes that we need to access regularly, without taking a trip into the garage or going on a wild goose chase every time we need them! Call the drawer whatever you’d like, but its main real purpose is quick and convenient access to all the random things – better known as your junk drawer!

How To Organize Your Junk Drawer:

Empty everything out of the drawer.
Sort out the current contents of your drawer.
- Throw away anything that is simply trash.
- Categorize the items that were in the drawer. (like with like)
Decide what you really need in the junk drawer.
Use a drawer organizer, drawer dividers, or small containers to create boundaries for the items going back in the drawer.
Place items back in the junk drawer in an organized, logical fashion.

The big question, though, is what items belong in a junk drawer!

What To Keep In Your Junk Drawer:

Batteries – For remote controls, toys, flashlights, etc.
Small Flashlights – Keep a small flashlight or two accessible in case of emergency for quick access
Kid Money/Gift Cards – Have a central place to keep money or gift cards that kids receive so they don’t get lost!
Quick Grab Tools – Keep small screwdrivers within quick reach for changing out batteries in toys.
Miscellaneous Keys – Store extra house keys, car keys, padlock keys, or keys to safe deposit or fire safe boxes here.
Lighters, Matches, etc. – For emergencies or for lighting everyday candles.
Writing Utensils – This is important for signing paperwork or making quick lists.
Notepad – To use with your writing utensils
Small Appliance Parts – Parts for things like robot vacuums, oven replacement lights, air pump needles, etc.
First Aid – A small stash of bandaids, ibuprofen, first aid ointment, etc. for small cuts or burns.

With every area of our homes that we organize, the junk drawer requires regular maintenance! It’s too easy to drop all of the items we don’t want to deal with immediately into this drawer.

Beware and stay vigilant! Keep your junk drawer organized!