How to Organize & Declutter Your Junk Drawer

There’s a reason why nearly every home has a junk drawer. We all have things we need but that just don’t quite belong anywhere else.

It’s only a problem when your junk drawer starts turning into an overflowing mess of stuff you don’t even remember getting. But there are actually ways to bring some order to these drawers of randomness.

Why Organize Your Junk Drawer?

You may be thinking I try to organize a junk drawer? It’s junk. Shouldn’t it just be a mess?

But a messy, disorganized drawer has some real downsides.

• Wastes Time: When you can’t find what you need in the drawer, you have to spend time sorting through the clutter. Which is irritating and also the last thing you need in the middle of a task.
• Hides Useful Items: With all the random stuff piled in, you may end up losing track of helpful tools, office supplies, or other items you actually need and use regularly.
• Creates More Clutter: An unorganized junk drawer encourages you to just keep tossing more random things in there, making the problem even worse over time. And then you end up buying things you already had, creating even more clutter.

What Actually Belongs in a Junk Drawer?

The best junk drawers aren’t random. They hold a small, smart mix of everyday items you’re likely to grab in a pinch, but not often.

• Everyday tools: tape measure, small screwdriver, hex keys, utility knife with spare blades (in a safe sleeve). Definitely all those allen wrenches you’ve collected from furniture you assembled.
• Fast fixes: super glue, command strips, felt pads, extra cabinet bumpers
• Office basics: scissors, pens that actually write, a Sharpie, sticky notes, rubber bands, paper clips
• Household helpers: spare keys, lighter, flashlight, extra batteries (stored in their original packaging or a battery case)
• Cords and chargers: one universal charger and a few labeled cables you use often
• Quick health items: bandages, alcohol wipes, tweezers
• Small hardware: picture hooks, nails, screws, zip ties, twist ties

If something doesn’t fit one of these categories, think hard about whether it belongs there or has a better home.

How to Organize Your Junk Drawer

It’s easy to get it organized and keep it that way. Here’s how to get started.

Empty It Out Completely

The first step is to take everything out of the drawer. Yes, everything. Dump the entire contents onto a nearby flat surface, like your kitchen counter or a table. This gives you a clean slate to work with.

As you empty the drawer, sort the items into piles based on category – office supplies, tools, batteries, etc. This will make the next steps much easier.

Clean and Line the Drawer

Now’s a good time to clean the drawer and get rid of all that dust and debris. Wipe down the inside surfaces with a damp cloth or some all-purpose cleaner.

I also recommend lining the drawer with parchment paper or shelf liner. It helps protect the surface and makes it easier to keep clean in the future.

Purge and Declutter

Now that you can see everything that’s been hiding in your junk drawer, it’s time to start purging and decluttering. Go through each pile and:

• Toss anything that’s broken, expired, or that you know you’ll never use.
• If you feel uncertain, try applying the 6 month rule to decide what to get rid of, only make it 2 years instead. It’s normal to have a few items in a junk drawer that you might use that rarely.
• Recycle items like old pens, pencils, and batteries.
• Set aside anything you want to donate or give away.

Be honest with yourself about what you really need and use. The goal is to only keep the essentials that serve a purpose in your home.

Start Categorizing Your Junk

Now that the drawer is empty and clean, you can think about putting things back in a more organized way. Take a look at what you’re keeping and think about how some of it maybe goes together – like, you may have some chargers and cords, so they could all belong together.

Then think about using small organizer trays, dividers, or containers to keep everything separated and easy to find. You may also want to label the containers so you know exactly what’s inside each one. (More on this below.)

Arrange the items in the drawer in a way that makes the most sense for how you use them. Put the things you reach for most often at the front for easy access.

Put Things Back Where They Go

Once you’ve got the drawer organized, the trick is to put things back where they were. Make it a habit to put everything back in its designated spot after use.

As you add new items, don’t just toss them in. Give it some thought and put them in one of the categorized areas we talked about above.

Set a reminder on your calendar to do a quick check and reorganization every few months. This will help you stay on top of any new clutter that starts to accumulate.

Smart Layouts That Make Sense

Think of the drawer like a tiny parking lot. You want clear “lanes” and “spots.”

• Front row: high-frequency items like scissors, tape, pens, box cutter
• Middle: often used but not daily—flashlight, lighter, super glue, charging cables
• Back: bulky or less used—spare keys, extra batteries, small hardware kit
• Corners: tiny items that tend to drift—dedicate a small tray or cup

Tip: Use “zones” that match your habits. If you’re left-handed, put scissors and pen cup on the left. If kids borrow tape daily, put it front and center.

Easy, Free Organizers You Already Own

You don’t have to buy organizers. Try these zero-cost options:

• Muffin tins for tiny items
• Ice cube trays for screws and push pins
• Egg cartons for small hardware
• Jewelry boxes or phone boxes for “zones”
• Binder clips to keep cords neat
• Toilet paper rolls to corral charging cables
• Altoids tins for picture-hanging kits or sewing kits

If you do buy, look for modular trays you can rearrange, or flexible silicone bins that don’t slide around.

What to Do With the “I Don’t Know” Pile

You’ll always have a few oddballs. Handle them fast:

• Mystery keys: Label “Unknown Key,” take a photo, set a 30-day reminder. If unopened by then, consider tossing.
• Single-use odd parts: If you don’t know what it goes to, put it in a small “unknown parts” bag with a date. Revisit in 60 days.
• Sentimental bits: Ticket stubs, charms—move to a memorabilia box, not the junk drawer.