You know you have one! We all have a junk drawer in our kitchen. It's the one that you can find a finishing nail or dog toy or baggies or a burnt bread crust or a missing sippy cup lid an extra pair of pantyhose in!
Yes, that drawer! Let's clean it up and organize it today!
Here's what the junkiest drawer in my kitchen looked like BEFORE...
This poor unorganized drawer is supposed to hold my kitchen wraps and baggies, twine, rubber bands and little things I use around the kitchen. Wow! What a big mess!
Now here's the AFTER...
I found a formula that works to help me organizing almost anything... want to know what it is?
It's so so easy...
It's so so easy...
Get one big trash bag and two boxes.
The trash bag is "THROW AWAY"...
One box is "PUT AWAY" ...
And the other box is "GIVE A WAY".
Put anything you want to stay in the drawer on the counter top.
Now start sorting!
BE RUTHLESS!
This is your Mantra! BE RUTHLESS! Say it over and over and over again. Dare yourself to get rid of one thing that you just don't want to part with. It's like ripping a bandaid off I know... but it will get easier!
This is your Mantra! BE RUTHLESS! Say it over and over and over again. Dare yourself to get rid of one thing that you just don't want to part with. It's like ripping a bandaid off I know... but it will get easier!
Only keep what you use, not what you think someday you might-by-some-tiny-chance-use... maybe. And you should not keep most useless sentimental items... not even if Aunt Bert gave it to you on her death bed... sorry Aunt Bert!
The only good reason to keep somethings is... THIS BELONGS IN THIS DRAWER AND IS USEFUL.
Once the drawer is completely empty give it a good scrub! Inside, outside, front and back! Clean it free of crumbs and schmutz!
Add a drawer liner. In my case I already had a drawer liner in it, so I gave that a good scrub too!
When the drawer is completely dry cut the drawer liner to fit in the drawer.
Now, look at all the items on the counter top. Can you edit them again? Do it!
Here's what you will put back in the drawer...
ONLY WHAT BELONGS IN THAT DRAWER AND ONLY WHAT YOU REALLY NEED!
NOTHING ELSE!
NOTHING ELSE!
The most important things in the drawer I am cleaning out today are my wraps and baggies.
Because the open flaps of some of my boxes get stuck in the drawer making it hard to open, I ripped off the top of some...
After putting the wraps and baggies in the drawer, I added a clear plastic organizer. It holds pens, kitchen twine, and small jars I labeled to hold little things that get out of hand, like rubber bands and matches.
Before I put the kitchen twine in the drawer, I put it in a little plastic container and cut a hole in the top of it for the string to come out. Easy! And it keeps the kitchen twine from wandering all over my drawer!
Now it's time for to put away all the items in my PUT AWAY box. And add the GIVE AWAY items to the GIVE AWAY box in my car!
As I pick through these, I make sure none of the items really belong in my trash bag! Then I throw away all the JUNK AND CLUTTER in the trash bag.
If I don't have time to PUT AWAY... I schedule it. The worst thing that can happen is to have tons of stuff in boxes to put away. It can pile up fast! I speak for experience!
This may not be the prettiest post in blogland, but it will sure make you feel accomplished and free!
What are you waiting for, let's dig into one of those drawers!
Let's conquer clutter... one drawer and cupboard at a time!
Next on my list... the towel drawer!
Next on my list... the towel drawer!
Remember to
You're not only a fabulous inspiration for decorating, but also for organizing! I definitely have drawer envy!! Thanks for sharing your tips. xo
ReplyDeleteWonderful! What did you use to label your small jars? I love the font.
ReplyDeleteMarie, I don't remember the font. I measured the diameter of the tops and made them on my digital imaging program. If I ever do this again I will use chalkboard paint on the tops and then if I want to use something else in them I just have to erase the word and write a new one. So much easier! Hope this helps!
DeleteMarie, on my computer that font is called Papyrus. I like it, too. :)
DeleteThank you for your answers to my question. I like the idea of chalkboard paint on the tops, Yvonne, but I don't love my printing, so I think I'll try using the Papyrus font suggested by Tina. :)
DeleteLove it Yvonne…pretty, pretty drawer liner and love the clear plastic organizer…where did you get it?..Just bought those small jars for my craft room and never thought to use them in the kitchen drawers…great ideas!!!!
ReplyDeleteShirley, I've had this drawer liner for years. I think I got it at K-Mart... probably 10 years ago! It has really held up!
DeleteThis is just the incentive I need to get going on MY junk drawer...thanks! It's snowing again...so might as well! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how we should organize every bit of our homes: one drawer, or closet at a time. I am anxious to see how you do your towel drawer as that seems to be MY nemesis! I got some good ideas from this and I also thought that WAS chalkboard on the lids:) I hope to come up that way this week, do you have a day free for lunch and/or shopping??????
ReplyDeleteI hope you come up Pinky! Not quite ready for a day of shopping, but let's meet for lunch! xo
DeleteThanks for the great reminder and tips on organizing our "catch-all" drawer in the kitchen. Hubby thinks I ought to keep a couple of tools in there as well and share the drawer with him, really? Anyway, time to get busy organizing…you inspire me, Yvonne!!
ReplyDeleteI love how neat your drawers look now and so lovely organized! I'm in love with your container for the kitchen twine...I'm doing this asap!!! You've inspired me to go and fix my drawers, lol!
ReplyDeleteFABBY
I love the idea of putting the twine in the plastic container! That is something I will definitely use. Thanks so much for the inspiration:-)
ReplyDeleteLOL...that would just about every drawer I have in my kitchen!!! And I know how good it feels once a drawer or anything else is reorganized you'd think I would be doing this all the time. I love the twine in the plastic container idea...that is a good one! I will be using it I am sure.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great weekend!
XO Barbara
It feels so great to organize those odds and ends. I also use pretty silverware trays to harness odds and ends, both in the kitchen and baths. I like the white wire ones.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I have been cleaning and organizing too. I just did a post showing my pantry and fridge/freezer. Love how great your drawer is. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI love your back splash made from bead board! Is it hard to keep the grooves in it clean? We have been thinking of doing that ,but I was worried about keeping it clean.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to keep clean! I just wipe it down often.
DeleteYvonne: Great job. Everything looks so nice and neat.
ReplyDeleteI also keep my twine in a plastic container. I use a
quart size I guess i have the jumbo spool of twine.
Makes it so easy to use in the kitchen and to tie up
the recyclabls papers and magazines.
As soon as my husbnad finishes tileing the wall where
the junk drqwer is I will try and organize.
Right now it has pliers, wrench, screwdrivers as we don't have a
garage to keep all these things in their place.
Thanks for the instructions.
Denise
Love your blog Yvonne! But, don't like the Anyclip add on your sidebar with it's suggestive movies & beer adds. It just doesn't fit with your wholesome, inspiring blog. ~ Lisa
ReplyDeleteso sorry! I have blocked all suggestive ads. I'll get in touch with my ad company and tell them about it.
DeleteUh, that "before" picture was the "after" for mine. lol
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! I'm psyched to clean out my drawer and it's so nice knowing we all have "that junk drawer"!!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
Beautifully organized! We have three card catalogs in our house and all those long drawers are perfect for organizing. One drawer for flashlights, one for extension cords, one for candles, one for note paper, etc. You get the idea. Easy to keep them organized and each drawer has a label.
ReplyDeleteSue
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteLove, LOVE, L O V E the remark about the "burnt bread crust"...found a cashew in ours once!!! Ha!
Our "junk drawer" sitsdirectly below the new Keurig and I've been toying with the idea of swapping out the junk for a storage solution for all the Keurig cups. . .time will tell!!! I do have baskets within the drawers for pencils, scissors, etc. which helps tremendously!!!
Thanks for all the organization tips, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Yvonne, first I have to say, I LOVE your kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteI not only have one junk drawer but I actually have two! One for odds and ends and the other for paper, pens etc. I did a post too on this very subject. Our methods are very similar. The only difference is I keep all my kitchen wrap, and baggies in a separate drawer. here is my post.....http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-you-have-junk-drawer-problems.html
Not only is it organized, but it looks really cute! I'm a novice DIYer, what is a digital imaging program? Is this software or something that you buy? For either one, what's the name or brand? Thank you. I'm so inspired I am going to go clean out my corner drawer!
ReplyDeleteMy digital imaging program is a decade old. I don't know if they even make it now. Use picmonkey... it's free on line!
DeleteLove it when it looks nice and neat! You always have the cutest ideas. I did three drawers this week since we have been snowed in since Tuesday. Just accomplishing a much over due task brightened my cabin fever mood!
ReplyDeleteNow if only it will stay like that.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Yvonne I rip the top of my zip lock baggie boxes off too so they don't get stuck...it looks a lot neater too when you open the drawer. Your drawers look great...I love that pretty liner!
ReplyDeleteThe strangest thing is how my junk drawer got into your kitchen...it's amazing...I have to go through this cleaning and organizing of the junk drawer about every 3 or 4 months...then something happens and the drawer won't open too full...lol...thats the trick...how in the world do people keep it like that...lol..thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteFunny --- I had just straightened mine out earlier today!! Ahhh...now I can find things...and the funniest thing---it just took a mere few minutes to do---silly me for putting it off for so long!!! :P
ReplyDeleteAll these tasks we put off just take so little time to accomplish. Now everything has a place and is in it!
oooh --- let me add --- the best thing for organization I have done recently? The shoe bag I hung on the inside of my pantry door --- all those packets of spices, soups, drink mixes, corn bread mixes, snacks, etc...all inside those compartments and it sure frees up space on the pantry shelves. My sweet husband thought I had lost my mind when I said I wanted to hang one there, but now, he is thinking what a good idea it actually was - that and painting the outside of the door with chalkboard paint (which the grandgirls just love!).
ReplyDeleteYvonne, The twine in the container with the hole in top is brilliant! My drawers and cupboard need some serious attention & organization :)
ReplyDelete~Yvonne~
ReplyDeleteFeels so good to get rid of the "Junk Drawer", but now mine has moved to another drawer :( !! hehee I was thinking of my towel drawer also and thought gosh how many kitchen towels do I really need !?!
take Care,
Paula
IN.
Thanks, great inspiration. I look forward to when you tackle the utensil drawer, mine is a huge mess and I need to figure out what has to stay and what is a 'one trick wonder' and can be replaced by something else.
ReplyDeleteMy mother always had at least one junk drawer in every house we lived in. To the point of smashing things down to close it and the bottom would fall out. I vowed to NEVER have a junk drawer. I can prowdly say that after 38 yrs of marriage, I have never had a junk drawer in my house!!! I am not OCD or even a neat freak. Just never had a need for a junk drawer. My closets and cupboards are neat an organized, but the house looks like a tornado went thru it. LOL I have a different type of problem.
ReplyDelete