Get It Done: Organize Your Kitchen Drawers
Clear 'em out and give the contents a neat-as-a-pin new home with these organizing and storage tips
This week you don't have to complete this Get It Done task; you just need to give these ideas a once-over and then keep them in mind as you do your holiday baking and entertaining. This is because you'll inadvertently be doing lots of recon during the coming weeks — pulling out kitchen items you probably use only once a year, like cookie cutters, platters and double boilers; scavenging around for items that are hidden too deep; or perhaps wondering why you have five spatulas when the most you'll ever need at once is only two. You'll be rejecting table linens, figuring out that some sets are missing key pieces and discovering items you haven't unearthed in years — paper umbrellas for drinks you never make, anyone? These things need to go.
Your assignment for now:
Your assignment for now:
- Read this, let the ideas marinate and put off major kitchen organizing until after the holidays, if you wish.
- Take notes as you observe the good and the bad about your kitchen drawers and cabinets.
- Think about what could make your drawers better and ask questions. What should you move to a more convenient spot? Do you need any organizers to help keep things neat?
- Collect never-used items for donation as you go, and pitch or recycle the broken stuff.
Take inventory. For now, start writing down everything that's in your drawers and cabinets on sticky notes. You don't have to do this all at once — leave the notes handy and scribble things down during those spare minutes while you're waiting for the oven to preheat. Stick them on each corresponding drawer and cabinet. It sounds silly, but trust me, simply writing these things down will help you see where you've stashed things in inconvenient spots and identify the items that are useless to you.
Assess. While taking inventory, you're going to start to see places where you can improve organization. Are the pots you use most close to the stove? Is it easy to find their corresponding lids? Are your everyday dishes and glasses within reach of the dishwasher? Do you use all of that Tupperware or is half of it missing lids? Could you use an extra silverware drawer?
Plan. While your urge may be to tackle this project one drawer at a time, we’re thinking bigger here. Your kitchen should be a well-oiled machine, and placement and organization of your cookware, serveware, silverware, small appliances and china is key.
Do some Internet window shopping. It's amazing how much more you can squeeze out of the space you have with clever drawer and cabinet organizers.
Check out all the kitchen organization products Houzz experts have found
Check out all the kitchen organization products Houzz experts have found
Decorative Shelf Liners
Dive in.
• Clear a large space on the counter or kitchen island.
• Empty all the drawers.
• Group like things together.
• Throw anything that looks sketchily dirty in the dishwasher.
• Throw away anything that’s broken; put anything you don’t use that is in good shape in a donation box.
• Give all the empty drawers a thorough wipe-down.
• Clear a large space on the counter or kitchen island.
• Empty all the drawers.
• Group like things together.
• Throw anything that looks sketchily dirty in the dishwasher.
• Throw away anything that’s broken; put anything you don’t use that is in good shape in a donation box.
• Give all the empty drawers a thorough wipe-down.
Chic Shelf Paper Bamboo Shelf Paper & Drawer Liner
Freshen up drawers with new liners. There are scads of cute options out there, and a fresh surface will cheer you up whenever you open a drawer. It will also inspire you to keep things neat and organized.
Browse hundreds of stylish drawer and shelf liners
Browse hundreds of stylish drawer and shelf liners
Wrap 'n Bag Organizer
Reclaim some valuable drawer space. Check out everything that came out of your drawers and identify the space hogs. Organizers like these for plastic and aluminum wrap will save you an entire drawer.
Over-the-Cabinet-Door Coupon Pockets
Likewise, get rid of the messy menu drawer. Recycle those you don't use and hang the rest on a bulletin board or place them in an over-the-door organizer like this one. Better yet, there's probably an app for that; I know I always wind up looking up menus on the Internet anyway.
Stainless Steel Grocery Bag Dispenser and Holder
Corral the loose bags. Dispensers will help you gather plastic bags for recycling or dog walks. (If you don't need this because you are vigilant about bringing your own reusable bags whenever you shop, give yourself a big green pat on the back.)
Divide and conquer. You may realize you need some good drawer organizers as you go along. Put everything where you want it to be, snap a few pictures of the open drawers with your phone, take a quick measurement of your drawers’ dimensions and head to The Container Store or Ikea.
Too much kitchen clutter? Consider a professional organizer
Too much kitchen clutter? Consider a professional organizer
So, the next time you open a drawer or cabinet, take a few extra seconds to check out what’s going on in there and scribble it on a Post-it note. Whether you’re aiming for some fresh contact paper or you’re ready to call the cabinetmaker, the assessing and planning that will be simmering on the back burner now will help you attack the kitchen after the holidays.
Next: Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets
More:
Get It Done: Whip That Junk Drawer Into Shape
Browse Kitchen Drawer Organizers
Next: Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets
More:
Get It Done: Whip That Junk Drawer Into Shape
Browse Kitchen Drawer Organizers
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Materials needed: Cleaner, dust rags or paper towels, contact paper, sticky notes (such as Post-its), pen, donation box. Additional organizers are optional.
Tip: Take a before shot of your messiest drawer so that you can feel extra satisfied when this is all over.