How to Organize a Junk Drawer in 20 Minutes (And Keep It That Way)

Quick Answer: Empty the drawer completely, throw away anything broken or expired, and group what remains into categories (tools, batteries, pens, cords, etc.). Use a drawer divider or small bins to create sections for each category, and return only what you actually need.

The Truth About Junk Drawers

Junk drawers exist because they're useful — one central location for small, miscellaneous items that don't have another home. The problem isn't the concept. It's the absence of categories. When everything goes into one pile, nothing is findable.

The goal isn't to eliminate your junk drawer. It's to give it structure.

What You Need Before You Start

• A trash bag
• Small bins or a drawer divider tray (Amazon basics version works fine)
• 20 minutes

That's it. You don't need to buy anything expensive. A muffin tin works as a makeshift divider if you have nothing else on hand.

Step 1: Empty the Entire Drawer (3 minutes)

Pull everything out onto a flat surface. Don't sort while pulling — just get it all out where you can see it.

Step 2: Trash Everything That Qualifies (5 minutes)

Before sorting what stays, aggressively remove what goes. Common junk drawer trash:

• Pens that don't work (test every single one right now)
• Batteries with no charge
• Expired coupons or old receipts
• Random screws with no source
• Rubber bands that have deteriorated
• Takeout menus (they're all online now)
• Mystery keys that haven't been identified in over a year

Step 3: Sort the Keepers Into Categories (5 minutes)

Group what remains into piles by category. Common junk drawer categories:

• Writing tools — pens, pencils, markers, highlighters
• Tools — small screwdriver, tape measure, scissors, utility knife
• Batteries — sorted by size
• Cords and chargers — this pile is usually smaller than expected
• Adhesives — tape, sticky notes, rubber bands
• Miscellaneous documents — coupons, instruction manuals worth keeping

Step 4: Assign Each Category a Zone (5 minutes)

Use a drawer organizer tray with multiple compartments — or use small containers of different sizes — to give each category its own section. Put the most-used categories at the front of the drawer.

The best drawer organizers for this purpose are adjustable divider sets (OXO and mDesign both make good ones). Clear acrylic shows you what's inside at a glance.

Step 5: Add a "Return Here" Rule

The junk drawer stays organized with one rule: every item that comes in must fit into one of the existing categories. If it doesn't belong in any category, it either gets its own home somewhere else in the house or it gets trashed. Nothing enters the drawer without a category.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop the junk drawer from becoming chaotic again?

Do a 3-minute drawer reset once a month. That's it. The reset is easy because the categories are already defined — you're just returning items to their sections.

What's the best drawer organizer for a junk drawer?

Look for adjustable dividers rather than fixed-compartment trays, since every junk drawer has different dimensions. The mDesign 4-piece set and the OXO Good Grips drawer organizers are consistently recommended.

How many categories should a junk drawer have?

Aim for 5–8 categories. More than that means you probably have too much in the drawer. Fewer than 5 usually means categories aren't specific enough and items get mixed back together.

Should I label a junk drawer?

Yes. A simple label maker label on each section — or even masking tape with a marker — tells every member of the household where things go and makes the system self-maintaining.

Part of the series: The Ultimate Home Organization Guide

Keep reading:

• How to Declutter Your Home Without Feeling Overwhelmed
• 10 Home Organization Products Every Home Needs