I Stole My Mom’s Drawer Organizing Trick, and It’s the Best $9 I Ever Spent

Every visit to my mom’s house starts with me asking her for a pair of socks. The reason is twofold: my sock drawer is so cluttered that I can’t find enough matching pairs, and I secretly need a reason to visit my mother’s perfect sock drawer. All of those cozy matching pairs lined up intentionally are nearly as reassuring as her presence itself.

My mom’s trick? Her socks are tucked into individual boxes in an organizer that resembles a checkerboard. I’ve always wanted a sock drawer organized like my mom’s one, so after learning her trick I sought a similar solution. The best thing that worked? IKEA’s SKUBB boxes.

My sock drawer was truly like the Wild West — stray socks strewn about and tangled with stockings from another era, everything melding into one big mass. Using my mom’s smart storage method, I set out to organize my sock and underwear drawer in earnest — and the results were beyond satisfying. With the SKUBB set of six white organizational boxes, I was able to create flexible barriers that gently keep all of the small items in their own section so it’s easy to actually keep them organized.

The $8.99 organizer comes with two sets of three different sizes: 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/8 inches, 11 inches by 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/8 inches, and 11 inches by 11 inches by 5 1/8 inches. The boxes come in white or dark gray, and are made of 90% recycled polyester (eco-friendly!) with sturdy polypropylene inserts. I opted for white, which makes everything inside even easier to see while also looking clean.

When I open my drawer in the morning to get dressed now, I’m able to choose my clothes easily and with joy. My workout socks are separate from my regular socks, my bras are separate from my underwear, and everything is folded, visible, and right in its place. There’s no more losing socks in the back of the dresser drawer, or forgetting about a pair because it’s tucked behind a bra.

For the organizationally inclined, this problem might seem quaint — but for me, getting my underwear in good shape was a huge deal. I’m even a little bit proud of my sock drawer now. Maybe my own daughter will find comfort in my sock drawer the next time she’s desperate for a pair.

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