Get It Done: Whip That Junk Drawer Into Form

I know the purpose of the catch-all drawer should be you could throw whatever you want in there and not worry a lot about business. The problem is, it tends to reach a point when you can’t find anything, and you realize there’s significant stuff inside. This is when it has demoted from “catch-all drawer” to “junk drawer.”

The catch-all drawer is usually near your front or side door or at the kitchen; it usually has in it the stuff that you need as you depart or enter the home: keys, checks, stamps, rubber bands, paper clips, sunglasses, camera, chargers, pens, measuring tape and Post-Its. The catch-all drawer is really a highly individualized space — everybody might have entirely different things in it. You simply need to be certain the catch-all is not behaving as a Venus flytrap, grabbing and devouring all of your things. Let us get started.

How to Organize Your Catch-all Drawer

spare time: 1 hour plus possible shopping period

Installation: Possessing a wastepaper basket along with a recycling bin near, and another box for stuff that you are going to be discovering new homes for.

More: Take a before picture for Additional satisfaction when you’re done.

Before Photo

1. Open the drawer. Take a good look at all of the stuff in there and be thankful you’re doing this. Within an hour or less, your drawer will proceed from crap standing to organized-necessities status.

2. Empty and assess. I am really doing this job as I write this ideabook. I will discuss some silly items in the drawer that aren’t helpful to me at all :
Eyeglasses with hideous frames from about 20 prescriptions agoHardened Liquid Paper (I don’t have some use for Liquid Paper anymore)5 collections of Delta Airlines headsets6 inches of carpet tape, that is perhaps enough to use a dollhouse area rug.Packaging and cans for each iPhone and iPod I’ve ever owned, including a few who are no longer in my possession. I don’t really require a shrine to Steve Jobs taking up space in here.By the way, this is among my 2 catch-all drawers.

3. Pause and ponder. Out of all of the items in this drawer, what can you really use, and what’s handy to have in this spot? What goes in a different place?

Determine: Would it be handier to have your own stamps and checkbooks in your office? Would you want to spread a few of the 10 Post-It pad around the home where you might need them? Is this the place in which you would like to keep every pencil you own, or do you want them in other places in the home? Shouldn’t that raffia be hanging out with the other wrap supplies?

Bottom line: This is prime property. Only items that you use regularly and in the close vicinity of the drawer should find a spot in this drawer.

Shannon Ggem ASID

4. Sort everything.
Give your drawer a good wipe-down. Put aside the items that belong on your catch-all drawer.Throw old newspaper (coupons that died four decades ago, luggage claim checks, ticket stubs) from the recycling bin.Toss the material that is as worthless as hardened. Liquid Paper belongs in the trash. Place the items that are going to be put away in new houses in the other box. Carry said box around and place everything in its designated space.

Lonny at K and B

5. Determine whether you want to go shopping. Take a look at what’s left and what type of organizers you’ll need to keep it all in place. A silverware or makeup drawer organizer may suffice; even if your drawer is heavy, you might choose to utilize shoeboxes. Cardboard jewelry boxes might be built to maintain your goodies too.

Organize

Mesh Drawer Organizer – $4.79

Luckily for me, I did this job about five decades ago and bought a lot of these mesh drawer organizers at The Container Store. Obviously, this cleanout is a job that needs to happen more frequently than each five decades.

Hammocks & High Tea

Grey Chevron Drawer Liners – $25

6. Shop

If you would like to add some flair to your drawer, buy some stylin’ contact paper and line it.

The Container Store

Lucite Drawer Organizer – $19.99

By now you may tell what type of configuration you’ll need for your organizers — it is time to pick out them. If you have invested in the above contact newspaper, Lucite organizers will let it show through.

The Container Store

Bisley Five-Drawer Cabinet – $99.99

You might decide you want more than just one catch-all drawer, or you may need for your items to be placed somewhere that does not have a drawer. If this is so, invest in a tabletop cabinet and be sure to label each drawer so.

EliteWatchWinders

Heiden Deluxe Charging Station Valet – $139.95

7. Reward Your Efforts

If your cords and personal electronics are giving you fits, treat yourself to a charging station. It will continue to keep all of these important elements in one place and keep your cords from becoming tangled and knotted.

Jennifer Weiss Architecture

This is the greatest catch-all spot. It’s built in chargers (something to think about) along with a minimalist, modern appearance. Most of our catch-all drawers won’t ever look this great, but we could try.

Inform me : What are a few of the crazy things you discovered on your junk drawer?

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