There are two types of people in the world; people who can find inserts to fit their desk drawers perfectly, and the people who are jealous of them. Keep the contents of your cluttered desk drawers from tumbling around with every pull by using this trick the next time you're out shopping for drawer organizers.
The secret? Just grab a sheet of newspaper.
Take an old newspaper (or any kind of paper or fabric) and cut it to the size of your drawer. Bring the cutout along when you shop for inserts. With the cutout as your guide, you can puzzle together a really close fit with the inserts and cubbies right in the store — no returns required.
Of course, there might still be some gaps left over, even after you try the newspaper method. In that case, use those gaps for odd-shaped items, like rulers. Or add a few adjustable inserts, like these from Axis.
(Images: Gregory's Refreshed & Refreshing Home Office, Shutterstock, ContainerStore.com)
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Brilliant. (I'm such a sucker for these kinds of posts.)
If you have a Container Store near you, you can actually just bring your entire drawer in. Any of the employees will be happy to help make sure everything fits and you can organize it right then and there. Also all of their products have a lifetime return (that's right RETURN) policy so there isn't much risk in just grabbing a few options and returning what doesn't work out.
I've never been able to get the fit EXACTLY right, so I use paper towel tubes (or toilet paper or wrapping paper) cut to size to fill in gaps and keep things from sliding around.
simple yet highly effective post!
I worked for The Container Store for a few years (ending in 2010) and their return policy isn't quite as cut and dried as "lifetime return" policy, though it is generous. Buy what you need, keep your receipts, and any unused item(s) can generally be returned without issue. Redline582 is quite correct in that bringing your drawer(s) to the store is an excellent way to purchase a configuration that works perfectly for your needs. TCS employees generally love a good hands-on challenge.
@HTXHEATHER I worked at TCS from 2010-2011 but perhaps since I worked at a new store, things may have been a bit more relaxed, but to my knowledge, you could get a custom closet made with ELFA, and if you moved in a few years you could return some parts and modify it to fit your new space. I even saw returns over 6 years old.
You can even make your own with a few cereal/food boxes
Heathah, that's brilliant! I'm going to use this trick this weekend!
I make my own in any shape I want, and its fun. One word. Origami. :)
A subscriber turned us onto this article, what a great idea! If you are into color and style check out this organizer system (insert included) at www.drawerdecor.com. Killer colors, and trim to fit any size drawer.
I took my drawers to CTS and didn't have much luck. The inserts weren't the right size to be able to get two side by side or to stack to use up the depth of the drawer. I had thought that they carried some bin like drawer inserts that came with two pieces that could slide back and forth. ‘Sigh’
Great idea! I'm so tired of buying inserts and still having too much space and never feeling like returning the items. I end up forcing myself to use them in other areas of my house. I will definitely try this method.
I caught a post on Lifehacker (I think?) that suggested making your own with some paint stirrer sticks. That's on my to-do list for our apartment's weird, uber narrow silverware drawer!