Drawers are a place that can quickly get messy, whether in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. Yes, they can be out of sight and out of mind, but they don't have to be messy. If you follow these four steps to organize your drawers, day and meal prep will be a breeze! Don't feel overwhelmed when you want to get things back in order, because we'll show you how to tidy up your drawers in no time.
1. Empty your drawers
If you try to organize the drawers while all of your stuff is still in them, it won't be as effective. Clearing out your drawers first will give you a clear view of everything, making the next steps easier. Once your drawers are empty, clean them to remove dirt and dust. To do this, use a handheld vacuum cleaner or the hose attachment of your vacuum cleaner to remove anythingwhat's in the drawerhas accumulated. Then clean the drawer with a cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth. If you find stains, use baking soda and a brush to remove them.
2. Tidy up drawers: sort and clear out
Now that all the items are out in the open, sort everything so that similar items are together. This will help you determine what you really need and use. When sorting, look for damaged or broken items that can be repaired, recycled or thrown away. Decluttering your possessions can be a difficult process. Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide what you really need.
- Have you used the item in the last six months?
- Do you plan to use it in the near future?
- Would you buy this item again? If you wouldn't spend your money again to purchase the item, it's time to let it go.
- Would you keep the item if you moved? If the answer is no, the item is not worth keeping.
You may find that you have multiple copies of a particular item. No matter whether it is a spatulain the kitchenor hair ties in the bathroom, you will find that you have more than you realize. Consider these questions:
- Do you have other items that serve the same purpose? Determine which of these are most useful and keep those items.
- How many of these items do you need to keep in your home?
Also consider the space you have. Don't keep so many itemsthat your drawersare immediately full and difficult to manage at the end of your project. You should only store things that you know you will use and that you have space for.
Create a pile of things you no longer need or use. You can sell these at a flea market, online, or donate them to a local charity. (Find donation pickup options near you.)
3. Designate a place for your things
An important step when cleaning out your drawers is to make sure you have enough space for the things you want to keep. Everything should be placed in an area of your home that is efficient.
Your dresser may also contain items of clothing such as sweatshirts that take up a lot of space. These clothes can be hung instead of folded, allowing you to reclaim valuable drawer space for other things. You can store seasonal items of clothing under the bed or on a closet shelf and swap them out as needed. The goal is to ensure that all of your possessions have a place that best suits your needs so that you can easily keep them organized.
You are ready to organize all the items in your drawers. Next, consider what containers, dividers, and trays might help you stay organized. A well-thought-out storage plan ensuresthat things are orderlyand are easy to find.
To prepare your drawers for your reorganized items, use a drawer liner to divide the space into usable sections. Such liners also protect your belongings and can help prevent dust. A liner without holes is a good, non-slip option that prevents dirt from getting into the drawer below. And they are very easy to clean if necessary.
Tidy up drawers in the bedroom
If you're on a tight budget, shoe boxes and cereal boxes are a great way to create containers for your dresser drawers. You can cover the boxes with wrapping paper or contact paper to match your decor and add some personality.
If you stack your folded clothes in the drawers, it will be difficult to get to the bottom of the pile. Use thatMarie Kondo's folding methodto organize your clothes instead of stacking them. Garments such as T-shirts can also be rolled up and stored vertically to maximize space and make things easier to keep track of.
Organization of drawers in the bathroom
To inexpensively store small items like jewelry or hair ties, use egg cartons or ice cube trays. These are great for storing smaller items.
The bathroom can be a room where space and storage options are limited. Look for organizers that stack so you can make the most of drawer space.
Another challenge when organizing your bathroom drawers is figuring out how to fit all of your bottles. IfYou have drawers, tall enough to hold lotion bottles, nail polish, or hair products, use containers or dividers to keep them in place as you open and close the drawer.