We have fancy weird shaped silverware and tiny NYC apartment drawers. I spent forever trying and failing to come up with cutlery dividers that would work for both, even considered super expensive custom made drawer inserts. Then one day I was in the wholesale district in a cheapo jewelry store and I saw tons of different necklace and bracelet boxes for like 50cents each. I got a little stack of them and sure enough, a year later, they are still perfectly dividing up the silverware! I could cover these with contact paper or fabric or stick them together or something, but so far they are working perfectly as is (and cost like $5.00 total.)

My problem is that my desk drawers are much too deep. I guess I could try stacking organizers over each other but I haven't yet found anything that right cubic size to complete fill the drawers. They are wasted space. :(

TravelingRae, have you tried thinking about the drawer vertically instead of horizontally? Most organizers are designed to have things lay flat (pens and pencils on their sides, stapler and tape dispensers flat, etc) but maybe you just need tall thin organizers in which everything can stand on end.

I have only a few, very narrow drawers in my kitchen. Had the hardest time finding something for the utensil drawer until the I found these at the Container Store:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10028015&N=&Ns=p_sort_default|0&Ntt=adjustable+drawer+organizer

What about making your own? Make them out of cardboard and cover them with fabric or contact paper - whatever works, and you've got a custom organizer. If you want to get really fancy, you could make it out of acrylic or similar and use glue made for plastic to hold it all together.

Yeah you can make your own out of food boxes. Usually people use cereal boxes, but almost anything will work, like say pop tart boxes.

A good idea: If you are going to the container store (or wherever), take your empty drawer with you. Then you can get a system that *for sure* works in your drawer.

Does anyone know if there's a taller/bigger version of these for dresser drawers? I've just been using storage bins, but they're not the best fit...

Wow, thanks to everyone for their response. I had the same idea as Tracey, but the drawers are just a smidgen too short to put anything in upright! I'm not feeling too crafty, but the make my own route is looking like the only option.

I like the idea of walking into the store with my drawer!

I did the take-the-drawer-with-you to the Container Store and it was so worth it. For my 9" deep drawers I got some 4" deep acrylic bathroom caddy things that are meant for the countertop but work really well for keeping things upright in a taller drawer.

Am going back with another batch of drawers soon!

Muji has some great plastic organizers. They come in different sizes and heights, and are stackable which may work for deep drawers. Have used them to keep the bathroom drawers organized for years.

I'm all for making one's own. I use all kinds of cardboard boxes from amazon or shoes, then cover in fabric or saved wrapping paper. Those are my drawer organizers and also for my hanging closet shelves. I also use old cosmetic cases (like the free ones, usually my grandmother gives them to me) and keep cords, little junky things, and office supplies in those. In the kitchen we got a few secondhand utensil organizers at the thrift shop for pennies which we also use to organize little things like bullion cubes, packets of oatmeal, hot cocoa etc.

Oh and I keep jewelry organized in little bead boxes (similar to tackle box design) from AC Moore/Michaels which are super cheap. One pair of earrings/necklace/bracelet per cube and they have latching lids.

I'm a bit neurotic about saving all kinds of small sturdy boxes (although they all have to fit on one shelf in a closet!). I'm always 'shopping' there to find perfect drawer dividers.

I acquired a number of cream cheese boxes from a commercial baker friend years ago & have used them in various configurations in every place I've lived since. Going on 15 years, they are in great shape & I'm not worried about covering them as they are in drawers & I'm usually the only one who sees them.

Sometimes I'll cut a kleenex box in half, resize it and tape it for weird sized spaces or items.

When thrift store shopping I look for 'real' utensil dividers too. Throw them in the dishwasher & they're usually as good as new & much cheaper.

I look longingly at the nice matched ones such as #5 or #8, but, again, they are in drawers. I'll use the saved money to buy new music or something more pleasurable.

I bought new glassware a few years ago. They came in these great, thick cardboard boxes, which I could not bring myself to toss. I eventually used them in my sock and undie drawers as organizers. You cannot see anything but the top of the boxes...no wording or anything. They've been great help in organizing drawers that can get unruly pretty fast and show no signs of needing to be replaced anytime soon. Sometimes buying organizational boxes is necessary, especially if it is going on shelving that will be seen (like bookcases), but other times making-do with something else can be economical and practical.