For most of us, a junk drawer is just that. Junk. A graveyard for things that have no where else to go. But, instead of being a repository for things that don't work, it can be the go to place for the things that make your home function: a place to find batteries for your new thingamajig, the flashlight when the lights go out, a post it note to leave a note for the mailman or a sharpie to distinguish one freezer bound package from another. Here's how to take it from trash bin to treasure chest...
Creating A Junk Drawer That Works
Sort: First, you have to know what's in it. Find a space to dump it out and sort it. There's stuff that should go in there (in ours: extra batteries, spare keys, friend's keys, parking permits, a small accordion file for museum membership cards and takeout menus) and stuff that shouldn't (screws, tools).
Return: stuff that should go elsewhere should go elsewhere. Put the screws and tools back in the toolbox, the working pens in their place, the broken pencils in the garbage, donate the old eyeglasses.
Rethnk: for items that should go elsewhere, make sure there's a place for them so similar items don't end up here a few months hence. For example, have a place to put items you need to keep for your taxes so old movie ticket stubs don't end up here again.
Shop: Okay, now you get to go have fun at the store and purchase dividers to keep the stuff you've decided to keep neat. We like bamboo drawer organizers from the Container Store or Bed Bath and Beyond but you can use silverware trays, small jars, gift boxes, muffin tins, food storage containers or a combination to create order. Pick up a few emergency supplies while you're out. A good junk drawer needs a flashlight, a multi-purpose tool, scissors, and matches. Corral like items (all keys in one section, all batteries in another).
Pretty It Up: Line the drawer with a pretty scrap of wallpaper, spray paint your muffin trays a colour that makes you smile and see how much better your home functions.
[image: Guillermo Esteves's Flickr with a Creative Commons License and his blog]
Comments (8)
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about donating old glasses - kindly contact your local Lions club and ask them how to go about donating them. Helen Keller would thank you. :-)
view *heather leaf*'s profile
I did this just last weekend. It doesn't look as pretty as your description above, I just used gallon sized ziplock bags to hold like-things, but it functions much better.
No longer will the drawer get stuck half-open because of too much stuff piled in the back. :)
view appledeco's profile
I have a pocket-emptying station that keeps us from needing a junk drawer. It has a change drawer, a receipt box, and a trash can. Batteries go in a gladware tub. My husband still empties his pockets all over the house, but at least in theory there is a place to do so if he ever feels the need.
view matchbookhymnal's profile
haha, ive got only three drawers in my kitchen and it seems all but one are "junk" drawers. one is just really disorganized. the other is full of pens, multiple screwdrivers, a hammer, plyers, batteries, on and on... given some of the things in the drawers actually belong there, most of it doesnt. i guess since its usually closed i always forget to sort it all out. that and i dont even know where to put some of the items sooo they just go right back in the junk drawer! haha
view deeboyayay's profile
Junk drawers are kind of like "oh God" rooms. There's always too much stuff in it and you can't find anything. The better thing is to get rid of as much stuff as you can! We tape takeout menus on the inside of the cupboard door over the phone. This is also where we tape business cards we need for phone numbers: snow plow, lawn mower, landscaper, plumber, furnace/AC repair, pharmacy, etc.
view williamsweyr's profile
i do the same as appledeco
All my computer related wires usb cords, cell phone charger, iPod cords ect all go in a ziploc bag. And I have to always make sure its all rubberband-ed so I just pull out the bag I need. Post-its and related items go in their own bag too.
Doesn't look as pretty as some nice desk organizers but I think I have better things to spend my money on unless for some reason they are on clearance for under $4 (like that's ever gonna happen)
view witchbaby's profile
http://lifehacker.com/5047526/banish-your-junk-drawer
above url is another recent discussion of junk drawers.
a friend of mine referred to his junk drawer as his hell drawer. and i've always liked that term somewhat better.
view sciencegeek's profile
I created junk boxes: tech (misc cords), craft (pens, crazy amounts of floral tape, etc), and nintendo wii. The boxes aren't that big, so I have to limit what goes in. And it never takes me too long to find what I'm looking for (similar items go in plastic bags). Plus, I don't have spend too long organizing either.
view gquaker's profile