The junk drawer is always a work in progress. I firmly believe that any organization project requires maintenance, and that’s definitely the case with the junk drawer. Last week my Timehop app reminded me that it had been a year since I’d organized that space. Well, I actually didn’t need Timehop to remind me…every time I opened the drawer I was keenly aware of the disaster zone in there!
I applied the Four Basic Principles of Organization, starting with the first step – get rid of clutter. I had a “before” picture of my drawer, but I inadvertently deleted it. Sorry! Here’s my pile of things that didn’t belong in the drawer. I had another large pile that ended up in the trash. And yes, I was watching Christy Jordan’s latest YouTube video while I worked. 🙂
The next few pictures show my progress with steps 2 and 3: give everything a place and leave room to grow. It’s a little challenging to give everything a place in the catchall drawer, but I did my best. I’m in love with those clear divided boxes holding my office supplies – they came from the dollar bins at Target! All the bins you see in these pictures came from Target or the Dollar Tree. I use a little sticky tack on the bottom of the bins to keep them in place when the drawer opens and closes.
I use this silverware organizer to store the mismatched silverware and plastic cutlery we take in our lunch boxes. I don’t want it mixed up with the every day silverware, so this drawer is perfect for it.
Ta-da! All that’s left is step 4 – maintain the organization system. Now I’ll plan to take a few minutes as needed to straighten the drawer – because we all know things aren’t always put away in the correct place. Periodically I’ll evaluate the organization system to see if it still meets my needs, and make changes if it doesn’t. No system works perfectly forever. But for now, it’s a beautiful sight!
Come Home For Comfort 
Very nice!
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It’s a weekly challenge to keep it that way. 🙂
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Ok, that space is officially too perfect to be labeled a “junk drawer” 😉 lol. Seriously though, you did a terrific job on it, Whitney! I may need to whip mine into shape after seeing this inspiring post! 🙂
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Thanks, Brenda! We use the stuff in that drawer every day, so I’m glad it’s back to working order again! 🙂
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I need to do this! I’m chalking this house’s organization up as a loss and starting new with the new house next week.haha Which will probably be a disaster for the next 3 months.
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It took me a good 6 months to get the organization systems set up in this house. It takes a while to figure out where everything works the best. You’ll get there!
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Love the little baskets and that you labeled them! I love labels, and it helps my hubby remember where everything goes after I move it 🙂
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Absolutely! The labels do make me happy – but I agree that labeling things increases the chances of things going where they belong. 🙂
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I love that – “leave room to grow” idea for organized spaces. It won’t last if there’s not room to put it away. Good tip! I also have to make sure that my organizers are simple and straight forward otherwise my systems don’t hold up for long. PS I am slightly envious of the size of your junk drawer. Mine is housed in the tiniest drawer in my kitchen 🙂
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I heard a professional organizer speak at a conference a couple years ago, and the “leave room to grow” principle really stuck with me. It makes a huge difference in how long the space stays organized! You know, when I was editing these pictures, I realized how huge that drawer is! I have tried to work it into the kitchen utensil storage system, but it’s on the end of the kitchen and is too hard to get to while I’m cooking. So yeah- the biggest drawer in the kitchen has my junk! Go figure. 🙂
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Little bins always make me happy 🙂 It looks great!!
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Thanks Katie! Little bins – cute and functional – how can you not love them? 🙂
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Great hint to use tackies on the bottom of the bins. My junk drawer could use a make over. I have seen lots of those clear bins and had been thinking of purchasing some for better organization.
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Go for it! Micro-organization is always helpful. 🙂
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Yeah, the sticky tac is a great idea! You know me, Whitney…drawers are NOT my forte, but you have inspired me (again)!
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Your drawers aren’t perfect, the inside of my oven is dirty. We’re even. 🙂
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I just did my junk drawer a couple of weeks ago. Love the idea of sticky tack on the bottom of the containers. I’ll be using that!
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I learned that sticky tack trick from another organizing blogger – it’s so awesome!
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