9 Steps to Organize Your Junk Drawer (For Good)

You know the drawer. The one crammed with rubber bands, expired coupons, rogue batteries, and a tangle of cords you haven’t identified since 2016. You open it hoping to find scissors—and end up knee-deep in a time capsule curated by chaos.

It’s a junk drawer. And while everyone has one, few know how to organize a junk drawer in a way that actually works. That’s why we asked professional organizer Melanie Summers to show us how to turn clutter into clarity.

Melanie’s approach? Simple systems, low effort, and zero overthinking. “A well-organized junk drawer should be easy to set up and even easier to maintain—no overthinking, no hunting for lost items.”

Let’s break it down, step by step.

Why Junk Drawers Spiral Out of Control

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Junk drawers don’t start messy. They become messy—fast.

According to Melanie, a junk drawer is "a holding zone for indecision."

It collects:

• Things we intend to deal with later
• Items we don’t want to toss but don’t know where to put
• Miscellaneous stuff that “might be useful someday”

And it gets worse when:

• There are no clear categories
• The visual clutter creates overwhelm
• Items disappear from view and from memory

Melanie's fix? "Make retrieval easier than dumping. If putting things back in their place is just as effortless as tossing them in randomly, the system will actually stick."

Understanding this is key—it shifts your goal from "decluttering" to creating an effortless, usable system.

Step 1: Empty It Completely

Let’s start with a clean slate. Take everything out of the drawer—yes, everything. Don’t try to decide what stays and what goes just yet. Spread all the contents out on a towel or tray so you can get a full visual of what’s been lurking in there.

Melanie notes, "Most junk drawers are a random mix of ‘I’ll put this here for now’ items, which makes finding things later nearly impossible."

A full reset is the only way to truly see what you’re working with—and it sets the tone for the rest of the process.

Step 2: Deep Clean the Drawer

Now that your drawer is empty, it’s probably due for a serious wipe-down. Crumbs, dust, sticky residue—it’s all got to go. This is your chance to hit the reset button on a drawer that may not have seen daylight in years.

Here’s how to clean it properly:

• Wipe it down with an all-purpose cleaner (we like Method or Mrs. Meyer’s)
• Use a microfiber cloth to avoid scratches
• Vacuum crumbs from corners using a handheld vac or brush

A clean surface sets the stage for an organized system. Plus, it’s a lot more satisfying to reload a drawer that doesn’t feel grimy.

Step 3: Add a Drawer Liner or Non-Skid Base

Before putting anything back in, take a moment to add a liner. Not only does this protect the surface of the drawer, it helps create a visual boundary and prevents organizers from slipping around.

Your options include:

• Adhesive contact paper for a clean, decorative look
• Non-skid shelf liner to keep large objects or trays in place
• A piece of poster board wrapped in contact paper, so you can lift it out easily for cleaning

Choose a liner that’s functional and calming to look at. High-contrast patterns can sometimes make the drawer feel chaotic again.

Step 4: Use Melanie’s 3-Question Test to Declutter

Now it’s time to make some decisions. This is where most people get stuck—but Melanie has a simple test to speed things up. Whether you have ADHD or just tend to accumulate clutter, fast decision-making is key.

Ask yourself:

• Does it serve a purpose? If you don’t use it at least once a month, it probably doesn’t belong in an easy-access space.
• Would you instinctively look for it here? If not, move it to a more logical home.
• Is it in the “maybe” pile? If you hesitate too long, it’s likely clutter. Give yourself permission to let it go.

This step isn’t about guilt—it’s about practicality. You’re curating a space, not putting your whole life on trial.

Step 5: Group What’s Left into Clear Categories

Once you’ve narrowed down what belongs, the next move is grouping similar items together. This helps create a sense of order and makes it easier to find what you need in the future.

Here are a few common categories:

• Tools: scissors, tape, mini screwdrivers
• Office supplies: pens, sticky notes, paper clips
• Tech: chargers, USB drives, batteries
• Household: matches, flashlight, bandages

Melanie recommends you "stick to 3-5 broad categories. Too many sections = too much thinking."

Simple categories reduce overwhelm and keep your drawer intuitive.

Step 6: What to Do with the Weird Stuff

Even with categories in place, you’ll be left with some wildcards. These are the oddball items that don’t seem to fit anywhere—but that doesn’t mean they deserve a permanent spot in the drawer.

Here’s how to handle them:

• Mystery keys? Bag them, label them, and set a 30-day reminder.
• Unidentified cords? Label now or toss later.
• One-off tools or parts? Create a small “Utility Overflow” box elsewhere.
• Sentimental items? Move them to a keepsake bin.

Melanie once found "a bag of baby teeth labeled 'Just in case.' (Still not sure what case that was for…)"

You don’t need to keep everything just because it’s weird. Give your drawer a clear identity—and evict the randomness.

Step 7: Add Organizers That Match Your Needs

Now we’re into the fun part: giving everything its own defined space. The right organizer is the difference between a tidy drawer and a drawer that resets itself every time you open it.

Start with one of these:

• Custom drawer inserts from AnyDrawer: As Melanie puts it: “They’re built to fit exactly what you need, eliminating wasted space and giving every item a clear home."
• Adjustable dividers: Great if your items change often
• Small open containers: Mint tins, silicone baking cups, Tupperware lids

This step adds a defined structure, transforming your junk drawer from a dumping ground into a system that works.

Step 8: Refill Your Drawer—With Intention

Don’t just throw everything back in. This is your chance to be deliberate. You’ve already done the hard part—now it’s about setting it up in a way that lasts.

Try this:

• Place your categorized items in their bins
• Allow a small "flex zone" for random but useful stuff
• Use labels or color coding if multiple people use the drawer

"Drawer labels or color coding help reinforce what belongs where, so the system stays intuitive”, says Melanie.

Think of this step as giving every item a job. If it doesn’t have a defined role, it shouldn’t be there.

Step 9: Keep It Tidy with These Pro Habits

Maintenance doesn’t have to be hard. A few small habits can keep your drawer looking organized without turning it into a daily chore.

Melanie recommends:

• "Create 'homes' for everything. No more dumping random stuff 'for now.'"
• "One in, one out rule. Adding something new? Remove something old."
• "Set a reminder for a 60-second refresh. Quick resets keep it from spiraling into chaos."
• "Make it effortless to maintain. If it takes too much effort, it won’t last."

It only takes a minute to keep the system running—and the payoff is huge.

Final Thoughts

A junk drawer isn’t a sign of failure—it’s just a drawer waiting for a system. With Melanie’s help, you can turn it into one of the most functional spaces in your home.

Keep it simple. Keep it clear. And most importantly? Keep it useful.