How to organize your junk drawer so it stays neat:

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Why the kitchen junk drawer is always a mess — and how to turn it into a truly handy drawer.

That infamous kitchen drawer — the one where all the “I’ll get to it later” things land — so your counters can be cleared fast because company is about to walk in.

We think we fooled everyone…

Until they ask for a pen. 🙈

Suddenly the drawer won’t open. And when it finally does, there’s no pen in sight — just a pile of the most random items imaginable.

Clearly… this is not working 😅

So let’s fix it — and keep the things we actually need handy, without it looking like a tornado hit the kitchen drawer.

What a Kitchen Junk Drawer Is Really Used For

Most junk drawers aren’t messy because we’re lazy. They’re messy because they’ve become the dumping ground for everything that doesn’t have a home — especially when we’re in a rush aka 5 minutes to Shabbos!

That drawer’s job is to make the kitchen look neat fast. The problem? The chaos doesn’t disappear — it just hides.

Why You Can Never Find a Pen in the Junk Drawer

The moment someone asks for a pen, the illusion falls apart. The drawer gets stuck, things spill out, and the one item you actually need is nowhere to be found.

That’s because the junk drawer is trying to do too many jobs at once — and doing none of them well.

The One Question That Will Fix Your Junk Drawer

Pick up each item and ask yourself one simple question:

Do I really need this item handy in my kitchen?

If it’s used once in a while, belongs to another room, or could live somewhere else more logically — it doesn’t belong in this drawer.

Common Junk Drawer Items That Don’t Belong in the Kitchen

(Confession: I find these in my own drawer too 🙈)

1) Rubber bands, staplers, and rarely used supplies

If you use it once a year, it’s not “handy.”

2) Gift cards, old credit cards, or mystery cards

If you don’t know what they’re from, they don’t belong here.

3) Batteries (a big pet peeve)

Two random batteries won’t help you when something dies. All batteries should be stored together, in one place.

4) Sunglasses and accessories

Last I checked… we don’t use these in the kitchen 😎

5) Personal care items

Most belong in a bathroom.

6) One lonely marker or highlighter

When kids color, they want options. Keep all art supplies together — not in the junk drawer.

7) Safety pins, straight pins, and sheitel pins

Used rarely — and definitely not in the kitchen.

8) Random chargers, wires, and screws

You need one charger handy. Known chargers can live together elsewhere. Random screws with no purpose? Toss them.

9) Duplicates and triples of supplies

Keep one in the kitchen. Store extras in bin labeled “office supplies.”

10) Loose change

Give it to the next kids who knock on your door. Keep a few pennies for tzedakah — the rest is clutter.

11 ) USBs, memory cards, and loose photos

These are precious. Create a small bin labeled “Digital Storage.” You’ll thank yourself later.

How to Organize a Junk Drawer So It Actually Works

Once you’ve edited down to only what truly belongs, organizing is easy.

Use small drawer dividers and group similar items together. Give each item a clear “spot” so putting things away is just as easy as taking them out.

Below is a list of drawer organizers to help you get that handy drawer organized once and for all!

1)  A mixed pack of different size, a great place to start.

2)  9x3 perfect size for pens and pencils.

3) Perfect size for large note pad.

4) Great size for sticky notes.

5) A large multi pack of assorted sizes 

6) Great size for a pair of scissors or screw driver. 

7) Great size for smaller items like chargers.

The Simple Rule to Keep Your Junk Drawer Organized Long-Term

A junk drawer works when it stops being a junk drawer.

Keep only the items you use regularly — and nothing more.

That way, the next time someone asks for a pen, you’ll open your drawer, grab one, and move on with your day.

Simple. Functional. And yes — Pinterest-worthy

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😉