These Kitchen Drawer Organizers Totally Transformed My Morning Routine

Words to live by: Never get rid of anything you can use to organize “stuff.” As someone who has moved a lot, I can tell me you’ll always be able to find a use for it sooner or later — and often in the most unexpected ways. When I moved from one urban rowhouse to another down the block a few years ago (what can I say, I love the neighborhood!), I was left with a pile of mesh utensil organizers in assorted sizes that had worked perfectly in my old house but didn’t quite fit the dimensions of my new drawers. So I followed my own advice (see above), put them aside, and figured I would eventually put them somewhere. Spoiler alert: I did, and the solution transformed the entire way I start my day.

My old place came with a fully Elfa-ed out walk-in closet fitted with ample drawer dividers and a glorious assortment of moveable shelves. But in the new house it was back to using a dresser I hadn’t needed in ages — one that was actually designed for a kids’ room, so the drawers were extra shallow. It looked like I was about to go from my super-organized dream closet to a jumble of messy piles of clothes crammed into drawers that were too small — and then I remembered my mesh drawer organizers.

I didn’t realize just how much repurposing some old kitchen organizers would transform the way I start my day, but it has. When I get dressed each morning, opening my underwear drawer and seeing the tidy arrangement instead of a balled-up mess is instantly calming. Before, the thought of cramming my underwear (I’m a bit of an underwear snob, I’ll admit) into a drawer that I could barely close was almost painful. Now, I roll each pair neatly and place them side by side in rows (think of Tetris, but for underwear) in the small mesh bins.

Rather than pulling out the first pair I can grab, I thoughtfully decide what I want to wear. And beginning each morning with a small, purposeful decision helps me set the tone to be more present and less scattered throughout the day. Who knew such a small shift would spark such a powerful change? I’ll say it again: Never get rid of organizers.

Buy: 12″ x 18″ Mesh Drawer Organizer Starter Kit, $20.96