Drawer Organizers

Published March 27, 2014

As much as you would like to deny it, you probably have a drawer in your kitchen filled with everything.

Scissors, tape measure and nails are just a few of the items that we tend to toss into a drawer in a hurry. Inevitably, the next time we go to retrieve the scissors they are lost in the oblivion of unorganized mess.

So what is the solution? I’ve always found that staying ahead of the mess before it takes over your life is the best way to manage it. Let’s take that drawer in the kitchen for instance. Before you haphazardly toss those scissors in, why not have a designated spot for them to go? Next time you find yourself walking by a dollar store, take the time to actually go inside and purchase four or five of the inexpensive metal or plastic drawer organizers. Estimate what size container would fit into your kitchen drawer. Long, narrow ones are great for rulers, pencils and scissors. The shorter versions are great for paper clips, staples and tape measures. The drawer will actually function in an organized manner once the items are placed in their designated containers.

The trick with storing small items is to keep them in containers. This rule applies to small kitchen items, such as tea bags, and loose spices as well. Clear, see-through containers are the best for easy access.

Is your jewelry a mess? Believe it or not a standard tie rack doubles beautifully as a jewelry organizer. Eliminate those nasty jewelry tangles by hanging your necklaces and beads on the little hooks. If you mount the rack horizontally on the inside of a closet you will have easy access to it at all times.

If your pot cupboard is a mess you can organize it in minutes by simply nesting your bowls, pots and pans inside each other. This will not only make the pots appear neat and tidy but will free up useable space in your cupboard. Attempt to group things together rather than spreading them separately through the cupboard.

Store your best dinnerware and cookware in cupboards using paper plates. The very thin, inexpensive variety is wonderful for stacking between your plates and pans. This will help prevent any scratches over time.

Lastly, a little trick that caterers use is to stack your plates as high as six or eight and then wrap them all very tightly with some clear plastic wrap. This will not only lessen the risk of scratches, but will also keep the dust off the plates so you won’t need to wash them before your next function. This works beautifully with dishware that is only used from time to time.