The Organised Life | Luvasmr

Want a clutter-free kitchen? Start with your drawers. Here's how to organize them for maximum efficiency and satisfaction:

• Step 1: Declutter and Sort
  • Remove everything from your drawers.
  • Group items by frequency of use: Daily, Occasional, Specialty.
  • Get rid of duplicates and unused tools.
• Step 2: Plan Your Layout
  • Place frequently used items near their use areas (e.g., utensils by the stove).
  • Use drawer dividers to separate tasks (cooking, prep, storage).
• Step 3: Use the Right Tools
  • Adjustable Dividers: Create compartments for utensils.
  • Drawer Liners: Prevent sliding and protect surfaces.
  • Stackable Containers: Maximize vertical space.
• Step 4: Maintain Organization
  • Return items to their spots daily.
  • Schedule clean-outs weekly or monthly.
• Step 5: Solve Problem Drawers
  • Use expandable organizers for small or deep drawers.
  • Add peg boards or stackable bins for tricky spaces.

Quick Product Picks:

Organizing your kitchen drawers doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Start small, use the right tools, and enjoy a streamlined cooking experience!

Kitchen Organization: Drawer Hack for Food Storage Containers

Step 1: Sort and Remove Clutter

The first step to organizing your kitchen drawers is clearing out the clutter. Professional organizer Karen Duncan puts it best:

"Physically handling each item forces you to make decisions about keeping, donating or discarding."

Empty Your Drawers

Start by taking everything out of your drawers and placing the items on a clean towel or countertop. This approach, often recommended by organizing experts, lets you see everything at once and makes cleaning the drawers easier. Work through one drawer at a time - most can be sorted in about 10 minutes.

Group Items by How Often You Use Them

Sort your items into three categories:

• Daily Use: Things you grab several times a week
• Occasional Use: Tools you need monthly or seasonally
• Specialty Items: Items for specific tasks or special occasions

Sarah Dunn, another organizing expert, advises:

"The two rules for organizing anything are to group 'like with like,' and to assign one home for each item."

Studies show that organizing this way can cut down the time spent searching for tools during cooking by as much as 30%. Keep your kitchen workflow in mind and store frequently used items close to where you use them.

Let Go of Extras

Be firm about getting rid of duplicates and items you rarely use. As Megan, an organizing expert, points out:

"There is no point organizing kitchen drawers if they are filled with a bunch of stuff you don't want or need."

If you're unsure about certain items, put them in a labeled box with the date. If you don’t use them within six months, it’s time to donate. For example, one homeowner reduced seven can openers and five bottle openers down to just one manual and one electric version, freeing up a lot of space.

To keep things organized long-term, consider investing in drawer organizers. The SpaceAid Bamboo Drawer Dividers (priced between $29.99 and $49.99) are a great option. They come with label stickers, making it easier to keep everything in its place. Once the clutter is gone, you're ready to design a functional layout for your drawers in the next step.

Step 2: Plan Your Drawer Layout

With your items sorted, it's time to design a drawer layout that fits your cooking style. This step builds on your decluttering work from Step 1, ensuring your tools are right where you need them. As home organizing expert Katherine Lawrence explains:

"For maximum efficiency, factor access in when planning kitchen cabinet organization, and arrange both cabinets and drawers according to your handedness."

Arrange Based on How You Cook

Place the items you use most often in easy-to-reach drawers near their primary use areas. Research shows this can save up to 30 minutes a day spent searching for tools. For instance:

• Store cooking utensils close to the stove.
• Keep measuring tools near your prep area.
• Place serving utensils near the dining area.

Also, consider your handedness. If you're right-handed, position tools to the right of the stove; if left-handed, to the left. For a practical solution, look into products like the Kitchen Pull-Out Storage Rack & Spice Organizer, available for $32.99.

Divide Drawers by Tasks

Building on your earlier sorting, Juliette Thomas, Founder of Juliettes Interiors, suggests:

"Keep higher drawers for items used most and lower drawers for items not so often used."

Organize your drawers by cooking tasks to keep everything in its place:

• Cooking Station
  • Top drawer: Everyday cooking utensils.
  • Middle drawer: Specialized tools.
  • Bottom drawer: Items you rarely use.
• Prep Station
  • Top drawer: Measuring tools and prep utensils.
  • Middle drawer: Food storage supplies.
  • Bottom drawer: Extra containers and bags.

Keep It Accessible and Uncluttered

Don’t overcrowd your drawers. Professional organizer Suze Dowling advises:

"By organizing items thoughtfully, you can optimize space utilization and streamline your cooking process."

Make sure items can be removed easily without disrupting others. Use dividers to separate tools clearly. Adjustable bamboo dividers, with a 4.7/5 rating from over 1,200 users, are a durable and popular option.

A 2023 study by Apartment Therapy found that kitchens with well-organized drawers saw a 25% boost in user satisfaction during cooking. Observe your habits for a week to refine your layout before committing to it.

Up next, explore the best storage tools to take your kitchen organization to the next level.

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Step 3: Best Storage Tools and Products

The right tools can help you make the most of your kitchen drawer space.

Adjustable Drawer Dividers

Using drawer dividers ensures every utensil has its own spot. As food writer Madeline Muzzi from Serious Eats puts it:

"Using a drawer organizer is pretty much a no-brainer. It's inexpensive, easy to install, and makes utensil organization effortless."

Options like the Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer ($30) are perfect for creating neat compartments. For extra storage, the DrawerFit® Sliding Drawer Bin ($19.99) expands from 15″ to 24″, making it great for stacking items like measuring cups and specialty tools.

Drawer Liner Options

Drawer liners protect surfaces and keep items from sliding around. The Gorilla Grip powerGRIP ($23.99) can be cut to size and has a 4.9/5 rating. Another option is the Hafele Non-Slip Shelf Liner Mats, starting at $40, which securely hold items in place.

Both liners work well with dividers, helping maintain order while reducing movement. They’re also washable and stain-resistant, making them a durable choice.

Space-Saving Storage Containers

Vertical storage solutions can make use of every inch of your drawer. The YouCopia DrawerFit® System ($19.99) features an expandable design (15″–24″), dual-level storage, and a locking mechanism to keep everything in place.

For even more flexibility, the Vertical Spice 5x1x22 Storage Solution ($123.95) provides full-extension access to items stored in the back and adjustable side bands to fit containers of various sizes.

Step 4: Keep Drawers Organized

Daily Organization Habits

Keeping your kitchen drawers tidy every day makes a big difference. Professional organizer Mallory Nikolaus puts it perfectly:

"Everything has a home, and everyone knows where that is"

Make it a habit to put items back in their designated spots right after using them. If you see crumbs or spills, wipe them up immediately. These small daily actions help keep clutter at bay and make scheduled clean-outs much easier.

Set Clean-Out Times

Regular maintenance is key to staying organized. Use this simple schedule to keep your drawers in check:

For easier access during clean-outs, consider tools like the Luvasmr Kitchen Pull-Out Storage Rack ($32.99), which helps you reach every corner.

Use Clear Labels

Labels are a great way to keep everything in its place. Kath from Kath Eats highlights their importance:

"The way you organize your kitchen can have a significant impact on the way you spend time in the space"

Here are some helpful labeling tips:

• Use waterproof labels for areas prone to spills.
• Place labels on both the front and inside of drawers for better visibility.
• Add pictures to labels if you have young kids at home.
• Update your labels whenever you change the drawer's contents.

Pairing clear labels with sturdy drawer dividers creates a system that's easy to follow and keeps everything organized.

Step 5: Solutions for Problem Drawers

Once you've nailed down daily maintenance habits, it's time to tackle those tricky drawers with tailored fixes.

Small Drawer Solutions

Make the most of tiny drawers by organizing them smartly. The OXO Good Grips Expandable Utensil Drawer Organizer ($22) is a popular choice, boasting a 4.6/5 rating from over 12,000 Amazon reviews. Its non-slip base keeps things steady, while adjustable compartments fit various drawer sizes.

"Using what you have and finding ways to gather and sort items is the most important aspect of keeping drawers organized."

For narrow drawers, here are some practical options:

Deep Drawer Organization

Deep drawers can be tricky, but expert Heidi Huddleston suggests using peg and grid systems with inserts to keep everything in place.

A great example is the Kitchen Pull-Out Storage Rack & Spice Organizer from Luvasmr ($26.99), which slides items from the back to the front while maximizing vertical space.

Key tips for deep drawers include:

• Adding peg boards to keep pots and pans from shifting.
• Using bamboo dividers ($26.27) to create specific zones.
• Storing lids upright next to their matching cookware.
• Incorporating stackable organizers for smaller items.

Junk Drawer Management

Even the dreaded junk drawer can become an organized space with the right approach. In January 2022, KariAnne Wood transformed her cluttered drawer using a 25-piece organizer set, creating clear sections for different items.

"Regularly decluttering your junk drawer will make keeping it organized much easier in the long run."

Sort items into categories with clear containers, add adjustable dividers ($20) secured with adhesive strips, and commit to monthly clean-outs to maintain order.

Conclusion: Next Steps for Better Drawer Organization

Turn your kitchen drawers from a cluttered mess into an organized space with practical solutions and highly-rated products. The Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer ($35-$45) is a great choice, offering flexibility and long-lasting quality for various drawer setups. Here’s a quick list of must-have items to kickstart your organization journey:

"A hardworking kitchen drawer organization system – alongside clever storage – is essential to creating a kitchen that's not just functional, but enjoyable to function in." - Tom Howley, Design Director at Tom Howley

Professional organizer Caroline Solomon suggests starting with cork drawer liners as a solid base. These liners help keep everything in place, making it easier to add other organizers later on. By using these products, you can maintain an organized and efficient kitchen.

For deeper drawers, the Kitchen Pull-Out Storage Rack & Spice Organizer ($26.99) is a smart choice. It helps you maximize vertical space while keeping everything within reach. Pair it with adjustable dividers to create sections tailored to your needs. These final touches ensure every kitchen tool has its own spot, making your space both functional and tidy.

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