How to organize a kitchen drawer

20 Ideas To Tame The Clutter – Practically Functional

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by Jessi Wohlwend

Last updated on September 9, 2020

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Disorganized kitchen drawers driving you crazy? Tame the clutter with these 20 kitchen drawer organization ideas!

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Organizing your kitchen drawers feels like a never-ending task. I mean, we all have a junk drawer that just seems to be a bottomless pit of stuff, right?! If you’re feeling like you don’t have enough room in your kitchen, or you can’t easily access your stuff, here are 20 kitchen drawer organization ideas that will help you tame the clutter!

20 Kitchen Drawer Organization Ideas

Kitchen Drawer Organizer Ideas

Make more space by going diagonal

Store long utensils diagonally to make smarter, more efficient use of drawer space! You can buy these diagonal drawer organizer inserts or learn how to make your own.

Organize knives inside of drawers

Put a knife block inside your drawers to free up counter space and keep them out of reach of little ones! They’re still easy to get to and very organized, but they aren’t taking up counter space.

You can find in-drawer knife blocks on Amazon here.

Mix and match inexpensive drawer organizers

Drawer organizers are the ideal way to create order out of drawer chaos. Mix and match different shapes and sizes to create the perfect configuration for your drawers and your kitchen.

Store silverware at an angle to make more space

Organize your silverware with a slim drawer organizer that holds all your silverware without using up the whole bottom of the drawer! It comes in multiple sizes to fit your drawer and silverware needs.

Buy it here

Organize K-cups with a drawer organizer insert

Keep your K-cups organized in a drawer insert that sits above a regular kitchen utensil drawer organizer; two in one!

Buy it here

How To Organize Deep Kitchen Drawers

Use deep drawers to store dry ingredients

Organize your deep kitchen drawers with tall bins to hold dry ingredients! Make sure you get bins with a clear lid, add some labels, and voila: organized deep kitchen drawer!

Customize your deep drawer storage with wooden pegs

Organize your deep kitchen drawers with a customizable wood peg board system! Drop the wooden insert in the bottom of the drawer, then put the pegs in wherever you want to full customize the organization for your specific dishes, bakeware, pots, etc.

Buy it here

Use a tension rod to organize pot lids

Make sure your pot lids aren’t slipping and sliding around inside your kitchen drawers by adding a tension rod. It makes efficient use of the space and makes it easy to find the lid you’re looking for!

You can find tension rods on Amazon here.

Use deep drawers to store utensils vertically

Organize a deep kitchen drawer by adding this DIY kitchen utensil organizing insert! This is a great way to use the vertical space in a deep drawer and keep your kitchen utensils organized and easy to reach.

Use small bins to separate out deep drawers

Organize deep kitchen drawers with these little IKEA bins! It’s a great way to utilize the vertical space in the drawer for small things if you’re not using your deep drawers for pots and pans.

DIY Kitchen Drawer Organization

Make your own custom-built silverware drawer organizers

These DIY custom kitchen drawer organizers are easy to make and cost less than $10 to make enough for the entire kitchen! Get everything perfectly organized and easy to find, plus these DIY drawer organizers lift up out of the drawers for easy cleaning of both the dividers and the drawers.

Replace a lazy susan with corner drawers to increase your useable space

Maximize space in the corner cabinets by using drawers instead of a lazy susan! Add drawer organizers and these corner drawers are the perfect place to store kitchen utensils, measuring cups, etc.

Make DIY stackable drawer organizers to maximize space

Make your own DIY stackable kitchen drawer organizer inserts to make the most of your kitchen drawers. Add a kitchen cabinet pull to the top drawer organizer so it’s easy to remove to get at the stuff below!

Organize spices in a drawer with foam board

Store spices in a drawer to make easier to find exactly what you need. You can make your own spice drawer organizer with a foam board and some hot glue; so easy and inexpensive!

Turn cabinets into drawers to add more easy-access storage

Turn your kitchen cabinets into a drawer to make the contents easily accessible! These chrome pull out drawers are easy to install and slide really smoothly even with heavy stuff on top of them.

Buy it here

Build adjustable DIY drawer inserts with this video tutorial

Make your own DIY kitchen utensil drawer organizers in any configuration you want! There’s a great video showing you how she did this for her own drawers.

Clear counter space by creating an organized charging space in a drawer

Turn any drawer into a charging drawer with this easy-to-install charging outlet! Perfect for keeping your kitchen counters clear, and for protecting your tech from accidental spills.

Buy it here

Add a second set of drawer slides to double your space

Put a drawer within a drawer to make efficient use of the drawer space in your kitchen. This is the perfect way to organize silverware or kitchen utensils.

Utilize the space under your kitchen cabinets

Use the space under your cabinets to store your junk! Adding toe-kick drawers gives you a bunch of extra storage space in your kitchen, and putting your “junk drawer” under a kitchen cabinet frees up your counter height drawers for more useable storage.

Utilize the space under your kitchen cabinets

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Tagged: kitchen

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Jessi Wohlwend

I believe that anyone can do crafts and DIY projects, regardless of skill or experience. I love sharing simple craft ideas, step by step DIY project tutorials, cleaning hacks, and other tips and tricks all with one goal in mind: giving you the tools you need to “do it yourself”, complete fun projects, and make awesome things!

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12 ways to order essentials |

Organizing kitchen drawers has become more critical since the noticeable shift towards using drawers for storage as opposed to the more traditional cabinets in the last few years, with everything from crockery to pots and pans now being housed in them.

Added to this, organizing a kitchen so that it functions seamlessly is vital to our sanity and its aesthetics in a busy home.

‘Kitchen drawers are essential when planning kitchen storage ideas, particularly a small kitchen, as they often offer maximum use of space,’ explains Tom Howley, design director at Tom Howley . ‘They can be tailored to your exact specifications, allowing easy access to kitchen essentials rather than delving into the back of bulging kitchen cupboards.’

With that in mind, a hardworking kitchen drawer organization system – alongside clever storage – is essential to creating a kitchen that’s not just functional, but enjoyable to function in, as well.

Organize kitchen drawers

Alongside our own advice, we’ve gathered top tips from professional organizers, designers and kitchen experts on decluttering and organizing kitchen drawers to ensure your space runs as smoothly as possible. Bear them in mind for any drawers that are part of laundry room organization and utility room organization, too, for a super-efficient home.

1. Give yourself convenient access to regularly used items

(Image credit: Life Kitchens)

‘Try to give each item its own space,’ advises Richard Davonport of Davonport Kitchens . ‘Storage drawers can be designed to be super deep and therefore can hide away a lot of clutter but this doesn’t necessarily make them more user-friendly. If your non-stick frying pan is always hiding underneath five other saucepans of various shapes and sizes, it will be frustrating every time you need to use it. Give important items their own space.’

2. Are you left- or right-handed?

(Image credit: Future/Paul Massey)

For maximum efficiency, factor access in when planning kitchen cabinet organization, and arrange both cabinets and drawers according to your handedness.

‘I recommend that you put tools for cooking very close to the stove,’ says home organizing expert Katherine Lawrence of Space Matters . ‘This can be in a drawer that is right next to the stove. If you are right-handed, place them in a drawer on the right and if you are left-handed, place them in a drawer to the left.’

It’s worth taking the same approach with everyday cookware: keep pots and pans to the right of the stove if you’re right handed and to the left if you’re left-handed.

3. Think outside the cabinet

(Image credit: Symphony)

Organizing kitchen cabinets might be a chore you're taking on at the same time as you organize kitchen drawers, but they do need a different approach.

‘Cupboards may be the traditional go-to storage option, but it’s worth bearing in mind that so many items store better in a drawer,’ says George Forsyth, director at Drew Forsyth & Co .

Professional organizer Lucy Mansey , dubbed ‘the Marie Kondo of Britain’ by her celebrity clients agrees: ‘There is a plethora of practical storage solutions out there for drawers, so giving proper thought to what you’re storing is an important step if you want a well-organized kitchen. Start organizing drawers by taking everything out and laying it on a surface – that way you can see exactly what you’ve got and start to work out which storage systems might work for you.'

4. Clear clutter and clean

Next, consider whether you’ve been making room for things you barely use (holiday and special occasion items aside) and discard them. Non-food items can go to a charity, if someone else could find a use for it, which will give you extra space, handy if you’re working with a small kitchen.

While the drawers are empty, give them a quick clean – it’s not often they’ll be clear, so it’s worth making the most of it.

5. Zone drawers to suit your workspace

(Image credit: Neptune)

Think about how you use your kitchen and position drawers accordingly where you can. Pans and utensil drawers stored next to the range or cooker top, glassware drawers in the kitchen island, for example. If you like to entertain, organize drawers with chinaware near to a clear countertop for plating up, and keep cutlery and glassware in drawers away from the main cooking area. That way, servers and chefs can work together in perfect harmony.

‘When you have everything grouped and assigned to drawers, you can then assess what items you use most and prioritize access to them’, says Stephanie Nix, kitchen designer at Neptune .

Juliette Thomas, Founder & Director of Juliettes Interiors agrees; ‘A good rule of thumb is to keep higher drawers for items used most and lower drawers for items not so often used,’ she says. It may sound simple, but this can make a huge difference when it comes to using your kitchen functionally.

6. Dedicate deep drawers to pots and pans...

A wide drawer will likely allow you to organize pots and pans in one readily accessible space, which is much easier than rummaging around at the back of a cabinet – particularly if you’re using them every day.

‘Graduated drawer units like the ones in our Suffolk collection give you the option to neatly store lids in the shallower drawers at the top and deeper pots in the bottom,’ says Stephanie.

Stacking pots and pans can result in scratching, as well as rattling when you open and close the drawer. Installing an internal pan rack to organize kitchen drawers neatly can solve the problem, allowing for easy access and space around each item. Choose from vertical and horizontal designs, or you speak to your kitchen designer about bespoke options.

If you do decide to stack, invest in pan protectors and line the bottom of the drawer to prevent scratches.

7. …and to chinaware

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

Stack tableware by type for ready access, and bear weight in mind. This is particularly important when organizing formal dishware, where a maximum of 12 dinner plates is a good rule of thumb. Lighter dishes can go higher. Invest in appropriate dividers and buffers to keep the dishes from sliding and chipping when you’re opening and closing the drawer.

Lining chinaware drawers with a pegboard is a clever hack – you can simply adjust the dowels to neatly separate your dinnerware sets, think plates from bowls, and so on.

8. Divide and conquer

When it comes to organizing drawers that are shallow and for utensils, save yourself the hassle of rummaging through by using kitchen organizers. Measure the inside dimensions of each drawer, including height, width and depth to ensure you maximize on storage space. Separate your sections by category: knives, cutlery, peelers, baking equipment etc, and consider adding labels for extra clarity.

‘If you have any extra-long items, like a rolling pin, salad servers or a large wooden spoon, try a diagonal drawer organizer,’ advises Alexandra, co-founder and interior designer at Clairrow . ‘This configuration provides space for bulkier items, and the small corner cubbies are perfect for tiny or oddly shaped utensils.'

New York-based home organizing expert Caroline Solomon also recommends taking materials into account: ‘drawer organizers, particularly silverware ones, should be made of durable and sturdy materials like wood or bamboo. It’s such a heavily used area, you’ll be in and out of it all the time. ’

For deeper drawers, a technique handy for organizing deep pantry shelves of using vertical separators to categorize larger items like baking trays, chopping boards and cooking equipment is a sound strategy.

9. Consider bespoke inserts – especially for spices

(Image credit: Life Kitchens)

Kitchen drawers can be a great place for organizing spices. ‘While standard drawer dividers are an essential, niche inserts to hold and organize chopping boards, spice jars, knife blocks, coffee pod refills and more are becoming increasingly popular,’ says Graeme Smith, head of retail and commercial design at Life Kitchens . 'Not only do they make your drawers look neat and tidy, but they also help you locate items quickly and easily for a much smoother cooking experience,’ he explains.

‘Herbs and spices are one of the trickiest items to keep organized in the kitchen. ‘A bespoke drawer inlay allows you to lay jars with their labels easy to read at a glance, so you can clearly see what you have. Not only is this more efficient when cooking, but storing them in a cool, dark drawer can extend the life and flavor of your spices,’ says Tom.

10. Keep food storage clear

Just as when organizing a pantry, organizing a refrigerator or for chest freezer organization, the best way to organize kitchen drawers is to decant dried foods into labeled, transparent containers. Not only does it make it much easier to locate what you need, you’ll also be able to see when essentials are running low, so you can add them to your grocery list and buy as you need rather than ‘stocking’ up needlessly. Plus, you won’t run the risk of packets opening and spilling everywhere. Meanwhile, for temporary storage, organizing Tupperware so it‘s near to kitchen drawers can be a time-saver.

Arranging items in height order allows you to see what you’ve got more clearly, and helps to avoid knocking things over when you’re reaching in. Professional organizer Brenda Scott also suggests implementing the ‘FIFO’ method; ‘Think: "first in first out" – when you purchase an item it goes to the back of the grouping so the item with the nearest expiration date always remains at the front,’ she says.

Keen cooks will know that fruit and vegetables do much better stored out of the fridge. Wooden crate-style drawers that slide into open cabinet shelves will keep fresh items well-ventilated, as well as bring rustic style to your kitchen design.

11. Organize drawers vertically

(Image credit: Drew Forsyth)

Storing utensils upright is a practical solution for locating what you need quickly and easily, which is why they’re so often positioned in jars on the countertop – not ideal if you’re trying to declutter. An alternative solution is to utilize a deep, narrow drawer (ideally near the stove top) by insetting containers inside. As well as cutlery, they’re useful for storing longer items that might not fit horizontally – think rolling pins, wooden spoons, whisks, etc. Grab what you need, then simply slide them out of view.

Similarly, store baking trays and chopping boards vertically by installing tall drawer dividers.

12. Don’t be tempted to overfill

If you’re limited on drawer space, cramming everything in may feel like your only option, but it’s not conducive to well-organized kitchen drawers. Instead, think about ways you could free up space by storing designated ‘drawer items’ elsewhere.

‘As your cookware collection expands, start dedicating new spaces for it,’ says George. ‘We’ve noticed visible plate racks are making a comeback, or you could consider wall-mounted knife blocks and ceiling-hung pan racks for a classic, homely feel.'

What should go in kitchen drawers?

Before deciding what should go in your kitchen drawers, it’s worth taking everything out of your existing storage – some things currently residing in your cupboards and cabinets might store better in drawers as could some items left over from organizing kitchen countertops. Next, look at the range of sizes you have available and dedicate items appropriately. Cutlery, utensils, napkins, tea towels and table linens all sit well in slim drawers, while bespoke inserts allow smaller, more awkward items such coffee pod refills, spice jars, foils and films to be stored neatly, too.

Deeper drawers suit larger items such as pots, pans, chinaware and electrical cooking equipment such as blenders and smoothie makers. Baking trays, chopping boards and casserole dishes can be stored vertically between dividers to save on space.

If stored correctly, food can also go into kitchen drawers; decanting packet goods into airtight glass containers makes it easier to see what you have avoids the risk of spillages.

How do I organize my 'everything' drawer?

Every kitchen needs an ‘everything’ drawer, and it’s an essential when you’re organizing a small kitchen, too. However, despite what its name suggests, it shouldn’t become a dumping ground for literally everything. Regular decluttering is a great way to avoid this. Set aside 10 minutes every few weeks to go through and get rid of anything that’s snuck its way in – think old take-out menus, shopping lists, broken pens, etc.

Dividers are also your best friend when it comes to keeping it an 'everything' kitchen drawer organized. You could assign each family member their own section, or categorize by type: take out menus, spare change, batteries, pens, etc – don’t forget to clearly label so you know exactly what goes where. Use lidded containers for things such as paper clips and small batteries. You could also consider including integrated sockets for recharging phones and tablets – no unsightly wires trailing on the countertops is a bonus.

12 ideas how to organize storage in the kitchen

Headings: All about furniture ² , Kitchens ⁸⁸ , Living rooms ² , Bedrooms ³ , Hallways ²

If you have limited space to organize your kitchen utensils, it is very difficult to use every centimeter. Endless utensils, jars and pots may soon fill the space of kitchen cabinets, so it is necessary to think about the organization of storage in the kitchen.

Clever storage solutions with a bespoke kitchen set will make life in the kitchen much easier, whether you use the space for cooking, work or play.

For most families, the kitchen is the center of the home. To avoid cluttering your countertops, check out these practical storage ideas. They will keep the room functional and beautiful.

Make the most of your corner cabinets

Rotating corner storage helps you keep your kitchen organized and provides easy access to kitchen utensils.

The corner table can accommodate bulky items - pots, pans, etc. Thanks to the different door styles and colors, you can match the corner cabinet to any kitchen.
Watch the video review of the magic corner in the corner table straight

If you have limited space for a corner cabinet, corner drawers will be the way out.

Cutlery storage boxes

Storage boxes make life in the kitchen much easier. You can store serving and silver cutlery in them.
Perfect for a busy modern kitchen filled with gadgets and gizmos. Scissors, a pizza cutter will find a place in the drawer, it also has a compartment for cutlery.

Drawers with which draw-out mechanism are the most convenient? Which to choose? Watch our video review:

Pencil cabinet

Pencil cabinet is a popular storage option for modern kitchens. Being inside the kitchen, it is a practical storage solution while maintaining the style of the room. The advantages of the pencil case are obvious: compact, roomy, functional.

Use wall storage

Store essential kitchen utensils in close proximity. If you have few cabinets and drawers, but enough dishes and accessories, wall storage is a good solution. Use the space to store everyday items such as decorative mugs, coffee, tea and sugar.

With the railing you can not only decorate the kitchen, but also increase its functionality, since the railing can accommodate a considerable number of items and at the same time save space, so valuable for a small kitchen. On the railing, you can (if desired) place hooks, mesh shelves, holders for bottles, glasses, towels, knives, lids, hanging drying and even a holder for cookbooks. The choice of accessories is very wide, which will make the kitchen not only comfortable, but also cozy.

How to make the kitchen more functional with a railing system, see our detailed video review.

Add a pull-out organizer: Bottle Desk

If you don't have pantry space, a pull-out organizer paired with a door can offer you a neat and alternative storage solution.

Maximizing closet space, the pull-out organizer keeps everything within easy reach, which is practical for everyday use.

Make use of the space under the sink

Install the draw-out U-shaped basket in the sink table. What does a roll-out basket under the sink give?
- full extension with closer;
- is installed in a sink table with a width of 900 mm;
- is easy to use - everything is at hand;
- is an excellent place to store household chemicals and cleaning supplies.
The wastebasket is most often placed in the table under the sink, it is convenient to do this:

Use the space under the bar counter

Acting as a dining area, very often the bar counter is also part of the desktop and storage space.
If space is available, a breakfast bar kitchen set can offer additional storage space. Chests of drawers and cabinets can easily be hidden under a long tabletop.

Use the plate drawer

Sturdy and deep plate drawers keep bowls, plates and cutlery within reach.
Where is the best place to store dishes? Types of dishwashers Watch in our video review!

If space is available, use the extra space to store pans and oven trays.

Open shelves

A popular trend for both modern and traditional kitchens, shelves allow decorative kitchen utensils to be beautifully arranged.

Available in a variety of colors and designs, but be careful not to make the kitchen look cluttered and untidy.

Pull-out shelves are a practical alternative. They provide easy access to kitchen utensils. You won't have to reach out to reach the pots deep in the corner.

Use the combination of fronts - open shelves with the SlideLine system:

Use the space behind the plinth

To effectively use every centimeter of the kitchen behind the plinth under the oven, place tables under the built-in oven with the Orga Box plinth system, manufactured by Hettich company.
Add narrow shelves

Narrow shelves are ideal for storing spices and oil bottles. To prevent items on the shelves from creating visual noise and clutter, use the same vessels, one of the best options is glass jars and bottles of the same size. Also, with the help of these shelves, you can add zest to the kitchen by placing decor items.
Open shelves for plates

You can store dishes not only in the tables and cupboards of the kitchen set, but also in open shelves.

Add containers

The functionality of kitchen furniture is determined not only by the equipment of various types of mechanisms, but by the organization of the internal space of drawers and modules with hinged facades.

The container systems presented above have a rather high cost, the most budgetary way is to use ordinary baskets that can be purchased at a hardware store.

11 Fresh Ideas - INMYROOM

Tips

To keep your kitchen neat and functional, you need to use all available space wisely. We are talking about new solutions for organizing storage today

In the kitchen there are always a lot of little things, accessories and kitchen utensils, which are sometimes difficult to organize. We tell you how to organize storage systems and simplify life with the help of simple tricks.

Roof rails for smaller items

The functionality of your kitchen can easily be extended with railings. For them, manufacturers produce many modules, hooks, special jars for spices and much more. If you want something more original - instead of metal planks, fix a branch on the wall.

Corner cabinets - special shelves

If you have a corner kitchen, then you probably already realized that the space in the corner itself is quite difficult to use. Special retractable racks and corner boxes of a special design will help to solve this problem.

Dividers are indispensable

Drawers can be made more convenient if you create perfect order in them and systematize all kitchen utensils. Use separators and special inserts.

The hidden potential of bottlenecks

Even the tiniest space between walls or cabinets can be put to good use by installing a narrow rack with dividers and shelves.

Shelves - not necessarily wide

Narrow shelves ideal for storing spices and oil bottles. To prevent items on the shelves from creating visual noise and clutter, use the same containers. One of the best options is glass jars and bottles of the same size.

Need interior fittings

Additional cabinet space can be added with hanging baskets, wine racks and other functional items found in a kitchen supply store or IKEA.

Fronts - for extra storage

Hooks and fasteners on cabinet doors, containers and mini-poles - remember that every inch of space can be put to good use. Not only to increase storage space, but also to have convenient access to the right things.

Storage can be decorative

Dishes can be stored not only in closed cupboards, but also on narrow open shelves. In addition to the practical side, it is also beautiful.

Magnets - for storing spices

Since spice jars are light in weight, magnetic surfaces can be used to store them. For example, they can be hung on the wall of the refrigerator or a special board inside the cabinet.

Perforated panels instead of backsplash

To get the most out of your surface, replace your regular tiled backsplash with perforated panels.

How to organize a kitchen drawer

20 Ideas To Tame The Clutter – Practically Functional

20 Kitchen Drawer Organization Ideas

Kitchen Drawer Organizer Ideas

How To Organize Deep Kitchen Drawers

DIY Kitchen Drawer Organization

Jessi Wohlwend

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Reader Interactions

12 ways to order essentials |

Organize kitchen drawers

1. Give yourself convenient access to regularly used items

2. Are you left- or right-handed?

3. Think outside the cabinet

4. Clear clutter and clean

5. Zone drawers to suit your workspace

6. Dedicate deep drawers to pots and pans...

7. …and to chinaware

8. Divide and conquer

9. Consider bespoke inserts – especially for spices

10. Keep food storage clear

11. Organize drawers vertically

12. Don’t be tempted to overfill

What should go in kitchen drawers?

How do I organize my 'everything' drawer?

12 ideas how to organize storage in the kitchen

Make the most of your corner cabinets

Cutlery storage boxes

Pencil cabinet

Use wall storage

Add a pull-out organizer: Bottle Desk

Make use of the space under the sink

Use the space under the bar counter

Use the plate drawer

Open shelves

Use the space behind the plinth

Add narrow shelves

Open shelves for plates

Add containers

11 Fresh Ideas - INMYROOM

Roof rails for smaller items

Corner cabinets - special shelves

Dividers are indispensable

The hidden potential of bottlenecks

Shelves - not necessarily wide

Need interior fittings

Fronts - for extra storage

Storage can be decorative

Magnets - for storing spices

Perforated panels instead of backsplash

Learn more