Organizing kitchen utensil drawers
20 Clever Ways to Organize Crowded Kitchen Drawers
By
Kate Van Pelt
Kate Van Pelt
Kate Van Pelt is a contributing writer for The Spruce, based in the PNW. Kate has been a full-time digital content creator for nearly a decade, covering everything from home decor to personal finance.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 05/20/22
Natalia Kostikova / EyeEm / Getty Images
Even if cooking isn't your cup of tea, no one likes a messy kitchen. As one of the most frequented rooms in a home, your kitchen should be easy and enjoyable for the whole family to use. The quickest way to transition from cluttered to clean is to start by tidying up your kitchen drawers. Never again should you lose a kitchen towel to the backside of a drawer or slice your finger on a pizza cutter while digging for the spatula. These 20 creative tips can help you organize your kitchen drawers and create a space even guests can navigate with ease.
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01 of 20
Give Every Item a Home
@afreshspace / Instagram
If you're the family member constantly pulling utensils out of the dishwasher and wondering where they go, the first step you should take to create a well-organized kitchen is to choose a specific home for every item. This is also a great time to discard duplicate kitchen tools as well as those you don't use. Never again will you ask where the potato peeler or citrus juicer belongs!
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02 of 20
Organize Snacks Vertically
@afreshspace / Instagram
If you're familiar with Marie Kondo, this tip may sound familiar. Just as Kondo would organize t-shirts and jeans, snacks such as chip bags and granola bars can be arranged vertically to save space.
This will also help you keep track of how much of the snack food you have left, so you know when you're running low. -
03 of 20
Purchase a Spice Drawer Liner
@afreshspace / Instagram
There are a variety of unique tools you can use to keep your drawers tidy and neat, many of which are designed for specific kitchen goods. For example, if you prefer to keep your spices in drawers, consider a spice liner. This will prevent your spice jars from rolling around as you open and close the drawer and will also keep the labels upright so you can skim and grab quickly.
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04 of 20
Use Clear Storage Cubbies
@joanna_organize / Instagram
One of the easiest ways to de-clutter your drawers is with storage compartments of varying sizes. It shouldn't be hard to find these at your local department store, but if you can try to find some clear options. Clear cubbies are particularly practical, since you can see everything without pulling out the bins.
They're also helpful if you've installed drawers in your cabinets, since you can stack the bins vertically. -
05 of 20
Keep the Kid's Stuff Together
@joanna_organize / Instagram
Odds are your kids won't have the same urge to keep the kitchen tidy as you do. With this in mind, be sure to separate the kid's utensils, plates, and such from the rest of your kitchen goods. A low drawer is an ideal location for these items, since the kids can play in the drawer while you work on dinner.
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06 of 20
Find What Works for You
Neat by Meg
Just because an organization tool is designed for a specific purpose doesn't mean you must abide by it. Don't be afraid to create a unique system that matches your preferences. For instance, this drawer was meant to be a roll-out spice rack, until the owner discovered it didn't work for her. Instead, she converted it into a utensil holder and knife block.
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07 of 20
Eliminate Counter Clutter
Neat by Meg
Instead of sorting kitchen goods on your counter, keep them hidden in the drawers below.
For example, this homeowner's adorable tea bar features a tidy countertop with just a kettle on display. The drawer below it houses everything else you'd need for tea time. -
08 of 20
Buy a Knife Dock
Neat by Meg
If you're hoping to free up some more counter space, try swapping your knife block for a knife dock. The option pictured above has a cork lining, like this one from Williams-Sonoma, so there's plenty of room for all your favorite knives as well as any future additions.
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09 of 20
Don't Stack Pots and Pans
@nycneat_louisa / Instagram
Just because your drawers have room for extra items, doesn't mean you should squeeze them in. Especially for bulky kitchen tools like pots and pans, avoid the temptation to stack. Instead, keep your drawers minimal and clean, only leaving space for the items you use regularly.
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10 of 20
Try Rolling Your Kitchen Towels
@nycneat_louisa / Instagram
If it works in hotel suites, it can work in your kitchen drawer! Rolling your kitchen towels makes them easier to grab quickly without dirtying the rest in your drawer.
Not to mention, it'll be much harder for a towel to slip off the top of a stack and slide behind your drawer. Say goodbye to drawer jams. -
11 of 20
Keep Your Plates in Drawers
@nycneat_louisa / Instagram
If you're accustomed to stacking your plates and bowls in an upper cupboard, perhaps it's time to think outside the box. Try storing these kitchen tools in a deep drawer instead. This location will be much easier to access.
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12 of 20
Convert Cupboards to Drawers
@afreshspace / Instagram
If your kitchen is short on drawer space, consider adding drawers inside your lower cabinets. No more digging past chip bags and miscellaneous Tupperware! Simply slide out the contents of your cabinet with a built-in drawer.
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13 of 20
Store Water Bottles in a Drawer
@afreshspace / Instagram
Some kitchens may feel short on drawer space, while others have ample room to go around.
If yours is the latter, get creative! For instance, this homeowner used stackable water bottle holders in drawers instead of a cabinet. -
14 of 20
Add Drawers to Your Refrigerator
@afreshspace / Instagram
Refrigerator drawers can become a crowded catch-all for fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses, and more. To keep these drawers tidy, add some smaller drawers on your fridge shelves so you can sort and access ingredients quickly.
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15 of 20
Break It Up and Stick It Down
@afreshspace / Instagram
Before you toss your ladles and slotted spoons into an open drawer, divide the space into sections with bamboo or plastic dividers. The team at A Fresh Space recommends using adhesive dots on the underside of your drawer dividers to prevent them from sliding around.
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16 of 20
Create Custom Dividers
Neat by Meg
If store-bought storage bins don't provide the best solution for your kitchen, create a customized plan that fits your drawer space and storage needs.
This clever homeowner used a combination of wooden dividers and white plastic storage tubs to sort their snacks. -
17 of 20
Bring on the Baskets
@nycneat_louisa / Instagram
Like clear, plastic bins, storage baskets such as those pictured above can help you sort foods quickly and see everything at a glance. For foods that may leave dirt or debris, such as potatoes and onions, opt for clear cubbies for easy clean-up. Meanwhile, bagged items can work well in either baskets or clear containers.
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18 of 20
Arrange Items by Use
@afreshspace / Instagram
When you're selecting "homes" for different kitchen tools and utensils, consider the item's use and arrange accordingly. For example, it makes perfect sense to store spices in the same drawer as your measuring spoons, since both items are often used together.
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19 of 20
Label Your Drawers
Neat by Meg
Another helpful tip from Neat by Meg is to label your drawers with the utensils or items that belong in each section.
For a utensil drawer, you might use the following categories: tongs, spatulas and spoons, and measuring cups. This nifty kids cupboard has helpful labels, like bottles, bibs, and such. -
20 of 20
Keep it Minimal
Neat by Meg
The key to organization is to create a plan, keep it simple, and stay the course. Resist the urge to stuff your drawers with extra spatulas and mismatched Tupperware. Fill the space with what you know you'll use and avoid adding excess clutter in the future.
43 Smart Pantry Ideas to Help You Organize Your Kitchen
20 Ideas To Tame The Clutter – Practically Functional
Home > Cleaning > Organizing Ideas
by Jessi Wohlwend
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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.
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
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!
See more
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!
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
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!
See more
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!
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
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.
See more
Want to share these ideas with your friends? Share to Facebook, Pinterest, or send the article by email—just click on any of the share buttons floating on the left, or find them at the top and bottom of this post.
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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Organization of kitchen drawers: tips and solutions
It happens that hands do not reach to put things in order in kitchen drawers.
Everything is piled up there: chipped coffee cups, a jar of cinnamon, the lid of your favorite pot. When something is suddenly needed, then the search will have to turn it all over.
Avoid chaos and confusion in the kitchen. Review all the places where things accumulate. Organize their storage with maximum convenience and benefit. And we will show you how to do it. Keep your cups ready. nine0003
They should be in a drawer about 20 cm deep. Taking them out is much easier than taking them out of a wall cabinet. It is better to put it upside down to protect their edges from accidental chips. On the side, make room for teaspoons, bags or jars of tea, coffee, sugar.
To prevent overturned dishes from slipping, equip drawers with rubber inserts, which are sold in hardware stores. To store fragile glasses in the kitchen, this is a must. nine0003
Keep your dishes complete
There are many ideas for how to maintain them. As for pans, the lids for them should be nearby, but in separate compartments.
Pots and pans are usually standard sizes. It is likely that the lids can fit any dishware. Therefore, there is no need to store all of them here. In addition, this is an obvious space saving.
Specially equipped place for clean lids. This is definitely a great way to store them. nine0003
Two-level pull-out worktop shelves make it possible to store pots with their lids.
In order not to look for its lid every time a plastic container, build such shelves as in our photo. In order to save space, similar containers of different sizes can be inserted into one another.
Equip knife storage
Cutting kitchen tools should not be mixed with other cutlery. You can cut yourself with them, choosing the right thing. Equip a place for them in the countertop. It is convenient to remove them from there, and they themselves will remain sharp and safe. nine0003
Advice: Keep sharpened objects out of sight of children.
Donate 20 cm of cabinet: make a wooden drawer for knives.
Make a side tray
This is another good use of limited space. The narrow drawer holds cutting boards, decorative trays, and other flat kitchen accessories.
This extra board is needed to avoid chopping onions, garlic and apples on the same surface. It is quite stable and is at a comfortable height. Furniture fittings, which can be bought at a specialized furniture store, allow you to equip all this yourself, without involving a specialist. nine0003
Save space by placing a removable cutting board on the drawer.
Have fun with your storage systems
Whoever invented drawers that close with a light push of the foot deserves an award. They can be upgraded depending on the design of cabinets and chests of drawers. But try not to hit them randomly.
Foot-lockable drawer for horizontal storage of wine bottles.
Although you can put anything here: table linen, kitchen towels, documents and books, a supply of chocolate, valuables. nine0003
Tip: The kitchen area is not the best place to preserve the quality of wine. It is always hotter here than in other rooms of the house.
Add air to closed food trays
In order to efficiently use and save refrigerator space, equip ventilated storage areas for vegetables and fruits. When using a mesh screen, unchilled lemons, oranges remain juicy, and potatoes and tomatoes retain their taste. nine0003
Wicker baskets provide access to fresh air for fruits and vegetables. They also bring country-style motifs to the modern kitchen interior.
Crispy freshly baked bread is the most delicious. It should be eaten as soon as possible after baking. And it should be stored in cool, but not cold places, protected from stray pests. Therefore, it is necessary to have bread containers with lids.
Tip: Freeze cut slices for 2-3 days - they will find many uses. nine0014
For example, crackers for first courses, summer pudding with berries and bread crumbs, vegetable salads with slices of garlic bread are very tasty.
Appetizing exhibition
If you like Moroccan and Asian cuisine, spices are indispensable. Laid out on a shelf, they save not only space, but also time. It is very easy to remove the lid and take a pinch of the seasoning you need.
Set up a multipurpose drawer close to the hob to hold herb and spice jars, can openers, tongs and other tools. Here, find a place for bandages and burn creams. In the drawer, an insert with holes for metal or plastic buckets will help get rid of the mess. nine0003
Tip: each bucket is separate for metal, wood, plastic items. Then it will be easier to find the right thing.
Remove moisture immediately
Therefore, always have a paper roll handy. For him, make a niche with a rod in one of the drawers. Then the spilled liquid and splashes will be eliminated in a couple of moments.
Plumbing fixtures tend to be awkwardly shaped. Therefore, do not try to use the space next to it to the maximum. Otherwise, this place will be a comfortable haven for insects that love warmth and moisture. And things that are not used every day, it is better to transfer, say, to the laundry. nine0003
Practical use of the space under the sink - symmetrically arranged cabinets with shelves for cleaning products, with rods for kitchen towels and paper rolls.
Sort your trash
Each type should have a separate container: for example, one for recyclables, the other for food waste.
Advice: as shown in the photo, the design allows you to remove filled heavy containers from the side, instead of lifting them above the front cover of the cabinet.
nine0014
In a small household, it will be unnecessary to waste space on tall waste containers. You can get by with buckets or tanks, as holders of garbage bags.
Equip the box with sockets for connecting electronics.
While cooking, you may need to find a suitable recipe on the Internet, make notes in a diary, listen to music, recharge any device. All this is possible without interruption from the main kitchen occupation.
Courtesy of Janet Dunn
12 ideas how to organize storage in the kitchen
12 ideas how to organize storage in the kitchen
Headings: All about furniture 2 , Kitchens 88 , Living rooms 2 , Bedrooms 3 , Hallways 2
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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.
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Clever storage solutions with a bespoke kitchen set will make kitchen life 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 corner cabinets
Rotating corner storage helps keep your kitchen organized and provides easy access to kitchen utensils. nine0003
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 straight corner table
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.
This is 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? nine0193 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. nine0003
With a 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. nine0003
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. nine0003
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. nine0170
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. nine0003 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. nine0003 Use the combination of fronts - open shelves with the SlideLine system:
Use the space behind the plinth
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.
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Add containers
The functionality of kitchen furniture is determined not only by the equipment of various types of mechanisms, but also 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.
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Installing a washing machine in the kitchen
In a small apartment, there are inconveniences due to the placement of household appliances.
That is why the design of kitchen sets includes a variety of objects that are not used for cooking. In particular, the undercounter washing machine is increasingly appearing in our homes. nine0003 Read more...
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A rare family considers a microwave oven an unnecessary purchase. After all, such a multifunctional technique is capable of defrosting, heating, boiling, frying and even baking.
