Organizing kitchen drawers works best if you follow a simple system and stick to it. The goal is to make it easy to find things and put them back quickly.
Start with a reset
Empty each drawer completely and wipe it clean so you see exactly how much space you have. Sort everything into keep, relocate, and donate/trash piles, letting go of duplicates and rarely used gadgets.
Plan zones and locations
Group items by how and where you use them: cooking tools near the stove, dish towels near the oven, and food storage near where you pack leftovers. Keep everyday items in the easiest-to-reach drawers and move rarely used tools to lower or farther drawers.
Use dividers and bins
Add utensil trays, small bins, or adjustable dividers so every category has a defined “home” inside the drawer. Drawer liners or grip mats help keep organizers from sliding and protect the drawer bottom.
Example drawer layout
Drawer type| What to store| Why it works
---|---|---
Top by stove| Everyday utensils, spatulas, tongs| Fast access while cooking
reduces steps. 13
Near sink/dishwasher| Flatware, everyday dishes, dish towels| Easy unloading
from dishwasher and quick cleanup. 17
Deep lower drawers| Pots, pans, mixing bowls, storage containers| Heavy and
bulky items are safer low and easy to lift. 15
Keep it working
Label the inside of drawers or organizer sections (even lightly with tape) so everyone knows where things go. Do a quick 5-minute tidy every few weeks to remove extras and reset categories before clutter builds up again.
