A junk drawer doesn’t have to be a junk pile.  Similarly a desk drawer doesn’t have to be a distraction as you stop work to find what you need.  Drawer dividers turn drawers into storage spaces that support you in getting things done by keeping items sorted, in view and easy to store when not in use.

Drawer dividers typically come in 4 formats:

1. A drawer-sized insert with built-in compartments.  Some of these come in a fixed size and others are designed to expand to fit the drawer space.

2. A set of variously sized containers that interlock or stack.  Made from a variety of materials you can customize your drawer organization system with the sizes of containers that best meet your needs.  Common sizes of these types of containers are:

• 3″x3”
• 3”x9”
• 3”x12”
• 3”x15”
• 6”x6”
• 6”x9”
• 6”x12”
• 6”x15” 

3. Pieces of wood or plastic designed to be expanded or cut to fit and inserted in the drawer to create separate compartments.

4. Drawer doublers or stacking containers.  These work best in a deep drawer (at least 3″ deep) where you can take advantage of the vertical storage space.  A drawer doubler rests on the top edges of the drawer and creates a top and bottom level of the drawer.  Often these inserts are not the full depth of the drawer so you can slide the insert back and forth to get access to items below.  Stacking containers also work to take advantage of a deep drawer’s vertical space by sitting atop one another.  Often a larger container sits below and a smaller container slides on top of it, again to create easy access to items in the lower portion.

Don’t make the mistake of buying drawer dividers first!

Before you shop spend some time decluttering the drawer and establishing a clear purpose for the function of the drawer and what it should contain.  Take a look at the contents and then make decisions on how best to contain these items in a way that both makes them accessible as well as easy to return to their assigned home when not in use.

After you’ve decluttered your drawer and have clarity on what items you need it to contain, consider making small paper templates with the sizes and layouts of drawer dividers you’d like to use.  Play around with your templates to get the best sense of what you need before you make a purchase..

Where to find drawer dividers.  specialty organizing stores (like The Container Store) office supply stores, big box department stores (like Target) and various online vendors (like Amazon).

Need help improving the organization and function of your drawers contact us to schedule a hands-on appointment or to get free advice through a free 15-minute phone consultation.