5 Simple Tips on How to Organize Kitchen Drawers So That They Will Last

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Disorganized kitchen drawers are not only unattractive — they can also become one of the biggest sources of everyday kitchen clutter. When cutlery, spices, food storage bags, dish towels, and random tools all end up in the same drawer, even simple tasks take longer than they should.

Organizing your kitchen drawers helps save space, makes everyday items easier to access, and keeps your kitchen looking cleaner. The key is to empty each drawer, decide what belongs there, and use the right drawer organizers to keep everything in place.

This article explores 5 simple tips on how to organize kitchen drawers.

Best kitchen drawer organizers at a glance

Product	Best For	Why It Helps	Shop
Night Tree Expandable Silverware Organizer	Cutlery and everyday utensils	Creates separate sections for forks, spoons, knives, and small kitchen tools.	Check price on Amazon
KitchenEdge Adjustable Drawer Organizer	Expandable drawer storage	Adjusts to fit different drawer widths and separates utensils, gadgets, and tools.	Check price on Amazon
Adjustable Kitchen Drawer Dividers	Mixed-use drawers	Creates custom sections for towels, aprons, tools, lids, and longer utensils.	Check price on Amazon
ROYAL CRAFT WOOD 5-Piece Organizer	Food storage bags and wraps	Separates sandwich bags, foil, plastic wrap, and parchment into one tidy drawer system.	Check price on Amazon
Bamboo Storage Bag Organizer	Ziplock and snack bags	Keeps food storage bags visible and easy to grab instead of messy in boxes.	Check price on Amazon
SpaceAid Adjustable Drawer Dividers	Deep drawer sections	Creates flexible zones for utensils, towels, tools, and smaller kitchen items.	Check price on Amazon

5 tips on how to organize kitchen drawers

1. Empty the kitchen drawers

Emptying your kitchen drawers is the first step to organizing the kitchen. Take everything out of each drawer and place the items on your counter or dining table.

This gives you a clear view of what you own and what does not belong in that drawer. Throw away broken tools, donate duplicates you never use, and move misplaced items back to their proper place.

Before putting anything back, wipe the drawer clean and check whether the drawer needs a liner, divider, or organizer.

2. Clean mixed-use drawers

Mixed-use drawers are usually the hardest to maintain because they hold several categories at once. You may have dish towels, aprons, small gadgets, pot holders, measuring spoons, and random tools all in one place.

After cleaning the drawer, use adjustable dividers to create clear zones. This helps stop everything from sliding into one messy pile.

Best for Mixed-Use Drawers: Adjustable Kitchen Drawer Dividers

Adjustable kitchen drawer dividers are useful for drawers that hold more than one category. They can separate dish towels, aprons, pot holders, small tools, lids, and longer utensils without forcing everything into fixed compartments.

This is a smart option if your drawer contents change often, because you can adjust the sections instead of replacing the entire organizer.

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3. Create easy access to things you use regularly

Arrange the things you use regularly in a place you can easily access. With deep storage drawers, items can hide under clutter and become hard to find when you need them.

Keep your most-used items at the front of the drawer. Items you use less often can go deeper in the drawer or in a lower-priority space.

For example, keep daily cutlery, spatulas, measuring spoons, and food storage bags in the easiest-to-reach drawers. Specialty tools can go farther back.

Best for Everyday Cutlery: Night Tree Expandable Silverware Organizer

The Night Tree Expandable Silverware Organizer is useful for keeping forks, spoons, knives, and everyday utensils separated. Its expandable design helps it fit different drawer sizes, which makes it practical for both small and wider drawers.

This is one of the easiest upgrades for a kitchen drawer you open every day, because it gives each basic item a clear place.

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4. Invest in kitchen drawer organizers

It’s worth investing in drawer organizers that fit the way you use your kitchen. Bamboo, plastic, acrylic, and metal organizers can all work well depending on your drawer size and what you need to store.

Drawer dividers and separate organizer trays are perfect for separating your stuff and keeping everything in place. They come in different sizes and shapes, so measure your drawers before buying.

Best Expandable Organizer: KitchenEdge Adjustable Drawer Organizer

The KitchenEdge Adjustable Drawer Organizer is a good choice if you want one organizer that can adapt to your drawer width. It works well for cutlery, serving utensils, small gadgets, and everyday kitchen tools.

The expandable layout helps you use the full drawer instead of leaving awkward empty spaces on the sides.

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Best for Flexible Drawer Zones: SpaceAid Adjustable Drawer Dividers

The SpaceAid Adjustable Drawer Dividers are useful for creating custom sections inside deeper kitchen drawers. Use them for utensils, towels, reusable bags, small tools, or longer kitchen items that do not fit neatly into a standard cutlery tray.

They are especially helpful when you want the drawer to stay flexible instead of locked into fixed compartments.

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Last but not least, consider a ziplock bag storage organizer. It helps keep snack bags, sandwich bags, and freezer bags organized and easy to access at all times.

Best for Food Storage Bags: ROYAL CRAFT WOOD 5-Piece Organizer

The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD 5-Piece Organizer is useful for food storage bags, foil, plastic wrap, and parchment paper. Instead of keeping bulky boxes scattered in a drawer, this organizer gives each category a defined space.

It is especially helpful if you pack lunches, prep snacks, or use storage bags often.

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5. Organize your spices

Spices can easily take over a cupboard or drawer. Packages tear, jars roll around, and suddenly you have a drawer full of ground pepper or salt.

If you keep spices in a drawer, use an angled or expandable spice organizer. It keeps jars visible, prevents them from sliding around, and makes it easier to grab the spice you need while cooking.

Best for Spice Drawers: Expandable Spice Drawer Organizer

An expandable spice drawer organizer is useful if your spices are currently loose in a drawer or crowded in a cabinet. It keeps jars angled and visible, so you can quickly find what you need while cooking.

This also helps prevent torn packets, scattered spice jars, and duplicate purchases.

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Bottom line

Organizing your kitchen drawers will make your kitchen look cleaner, help you access your equipment faster, and reduce everyday clutter. Start by emptying each drawer, cleaning it properly, and only putting back the items that truly belong there.

Then add organizers based on the drawer’s purpose. Cutlery trays, dividers, spice racks, and food storage bag organizers all help keep the system easy to maintain.

If you are interested in more tips on how to organize your kitchen, we have also created a complete list of kitchen organization products and an ultimate guide on how to organize kitchen cabinets.

FAQs about organizing kitchen drawers

What is the best way to organize kitchen drawers?

The best way to organize kitchen drawers is to empty each drawer, remove duplicates, group items by purpose, and use drawer organizers or dividers to create clear sections.

What should go in kitchen drawers?

Kitchen drawers are best for cutlery, cooking utensils, measuring spoons, dish towels, food storage bags, wraps, spices, and small tools you use regularly.

How do I organize deep kitchen drawers?

Use adjustable dividers or deep drawer organizers. Keep frequently used items near the front and less-used items toward the back. Avoid piling loose items on top of each other.

How do I keep kitchen drawers from getting messy again?

Give every category a fixed place and avoid using drawers as catch-all storage. Do a quick reset when you notice items drifting into the wrong drawer.

Are bamboo drawer organizers worth it?

Bamboo drawer organizers can be worth it if you want a durable and more polished-looking option. They work especially well for cutlery, food storage bags, and everyday kitchen tools.

5 Simple Tips on How to Organize Kitchen Drawers So That They Will Last

Best kitchen drawer organizers at a glance