This $17 Compact Organizer Transformed My Messiest Kitchen Drawer

Alexa CasanovaShopping Writer
Alexa CasanovaShopping Writer
I cover all things shopping, from cleaning and organizing finds to decor and furniture that’s worth every penny. Your home says a lot about you, so I’m always curious about the things people choose to bring into their space — and aim to make it easier to find those things! I’ve written home and lifestyle content for Well+Good and Design Milk.
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A wooden kitchen drawer filled with various cooking utensils, including spatulas, tongs, and a peeler.
Credit: Alexa Casanova

I don’t cook at home as often as I’d like, and while I should probably delete the food delivery apps from my phone, it’s only fair to shift some of the blame to my kitchen. Between the cramped layout and the clutter, it lacks the essential ingredients needed for an enjoyable cooking experience. The main offender is the narrow drawer closest to my stove, where our cooking utensils tumble around without rhyme or reason. Sharp knives mingle with tongs and spatulas, which makes a simple search for a tool feel like a safety risk. Thankfully, the OXO Good Grips Compact Utensil Organizer changed that completely. 

Not only did it get rid of the mess in my kitchen drawer, it also made cooking at home way more palatable. Keep reading to learn how.

What Is the OXO Good Grips Compact Utensil Organizer

Measuring only 6.75 inches wide, 16.35 inches long, and 2.36 inches tall, OXO Good Grips’ Compact Utensil Organizer is just that – compact. The narrow plastic tray is uniquely suited to those small drawers you don’t know what to do with. It features three compartments to keep its contents tidy: there’s one long section, one small, and one medium section, so everything has its place. Even better, there’s a removable utensil tray that adds further separation. 

Setting it up is quick and easy: Just drop it into your drawer for a seamless fit. The organizer’s square corners give it a clean look, while the rubberized feet keep it from sliding around your drawer.

Credit: Alexa Casanova

Why I Love the OXO Good Grips Compact Utensil Organizer

The OXO Good Grips organizer was a perfect fit for my “doom” drawer on multiple levels. Its slim dimensions fit the space seamlessly; it’s like it was made specially for it. And the convenient dividers finally gave the mish-mash of random cooking tools a sensible place to live. I put my cooking knives face down in the larger compartment alongside bulky tongs, and put small spatulas, peelers, my cooking thermometer, and measuring spoons in the smaller sections. Now, everything I need to prepare meals is easy to find. I also don’t get the immediate stress or overwhelm when I pull open the drawer – it no longer spoils my drive to cook! 

The organizer is incredibly versatile, too. Because I used it to organize larger cooking tools, I didn’t need the removable utensil insert. I love having the option on hand, though, for when I eventually move apartments and need to tidy up a whole new kitchen. Whether you need to streamline your silverware storage, or tidy up a mess of miscellaneous cooking tools like me, the OXO Good Grips organizer is the easiest way to do both. And for under $20? It’s a no-brainer. 

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