Does your drawer look something like this?
You know the one — that dreaded junk drawer we all have. The black hole where everything random ends up: car keys, pens that don’t work, rogue batteries, expired coupons, and apparently (in my case)… plant seeds? 🤦♀️
I was opening this drawer at least five times a day, and every time I did, I felt that little spike of stress. I could never find what I was actually looking for, and it was starting to drive me just a little bit crazy. So today, I decided enough was enough. It was time to take back the drawer — and this time, I wanted the change to stick.
I’m sure you’ve been there too — standing in front of a drawer, a closet, a whole room… thinking this should really be organized. But instead of tackling it, you just shut the door (or drawer) and walk away because it all feels way too overwhelming.
Trust me, I’ve done that more times than I’d like to admit.
I’ve stared at messy drawers stuffed with who-knows-what, shelves filled with random clutter, and spaces that once had a purpose but have turned into chaos zones. And each time, the thought of fixing it felt like too much. So I’d do what most of us do — push it off for “another day.”
But here’s what I’ve learned over the years: you don’t have to do it all at once.
In fact, you shouldn’t.
Instead of thinking “I need to organize my whole house,” start with “I’m going to organize just this drawer.”
Or just this shelf. Or even just this one category of stuff — like batteries or cords or random pens. That one small win builds momentum, and it motivates you to keep going.
Every time I’ve taken the “one small step” approach, I’ve not only made progress, but I’ve felt better, too. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing one area of your home go from chaos to calm — even if it’s just a tiny drawer.
It reminds you that you can do it. And that’s powerful.
If you’re in a season of life where things feel messy — literally or mentally — be kind to yourself. Clutter doesn’t accumulate overnight, and it won’t disappear overnight either. But a few intentional steps, taken consistently, can make all the difference.
The Journey
Here’s how I approach organizing small (but mighty) problem areas like drawers. It’s nothing fancy — just a practical method that actually works. And I hope it helps you in your own organizing journey!
✔️ Step 1: Take everything out
Yes, everything.
I know this part can feel messy, overwhelming, and a little chaotic. But trust me — pulling everything out gives you a clean slate and lets you see exactly what you’re working with.
It also gives you a chance to actually clean the drawer itself. (Hello, mystery crumbs and pencil shavings.)
✔️ Step 2: Sort Through It All – and Be Honest
Here comes the real work: asking yourself, “Do I actually need this?”
And I mean really asking.
Some decisions are easy — like throwing away expired coupons (yep, I had those too). Others, like spare batteries or a rarely used charger, might take more thought.
My Tip: The 6-Month Rule
If I haven’t used it in the last six months and it’s not a true necessity, it’s either:
• Getting donated, or
• Going in the trash.
Honestly, if you could see the amount of stuff my husband and I have donated in the past few months… you’d probably cry a little inside (like we did 😅). But we knew someone else could get way more use out of those items than we were.
✔️ Step 3: Categorize What You’re Keeping
Once you’ve narrowed it down to what actually deserves a spot in your drawer, now it’s time to organize with intention.
Group similar items together:
• All writing utensils in one section
• Batteries in another
• Keys, earbuds, and other “daily grab” items get their own spot
Using drawer organizers, small trays, or even repurposed boxes can help everything stay where it belongs.
✔️ Step 4: Time to Organize- The Fun Part!
Now that we’ve gotten through what I call the “hard part” — letting go of things we think we need (but really don’t) — it’s time for the satisfying part: organizing!
Once it’s empty, it’s the perfect time to give it a good clean. I found a little drawer vacuum/cleaner that works so well for getting out those pesky crumbs and bits of paper that mysteriously appear.
If you don’t have a cleaner, a damp cloth and a little patience will do the trick!
If you have some trays lying around, this is their time to shine! I personally love using a 3-tier drawer organizer to make the most of vertical space. Or the 2-tier drawer organizer may work better in your space!
Tip: I added a few strips of double-sided tape underneath to keep it from sliding around when I open the drawer. Once I did that — game-changer. It became a super functional part of my setup.
Your drawer might look completely different from mine — and that’s okay! The goal is to create a setup that works for you and your everyday life.
Here’s how I set mine up:
• One tray for stationary items like pens, pencils, and scissors ✏️
• The 3-tier organizer holds oddball items: earbuds, post-it notes, matches, and extra keys 🎧🗝️
My Best Advice: Prioritize Accessibility
So if you constantly need a pen (like I do), make sure it’s right up front and easy to grab. It’ll save you from that annoying back-of-the-drawer treasure hunt (been there a lot — and no treasure found 😂).
Creativity Dream 