6 Time-Saving Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Drawers Organized

Nothing ruins the chill vibe of a cooking session more than frantically looking for a tool or ingredient as something burns on the stovetop. Whether you have an overwhelming number of kitchen drawers or so few that there’s not enough storage for your stuff, it's easy to rely on the "shove it all in and forget about it" method of organization. Follow these eight kitchen drawer organization tips to improve convenience and functionality in your kitchen. 

1. Organize Your Spices

You never know when ground coriander will come in handy. While spice jars can tuck away just about anywhere, it's better to keep them organized and accessible. Consider a dedicated drawer for spices with an organizer that allows you to place the jars alphabetically or any way you please. You can also ditch drawers entirely and spring for a spice rack. 

2. Separate by Category

To save time while cooking, organize everything into dedicated drawers. For instance, make one drawer for flatware and another for large utensils like spatulas and serving spoons. Some folks even have a specific drawer for bills and mail. 

When you start your kitchen organization project, sort all your items into categories and then decide which drawer best suits their function. 

3. Use Labels

Once you’ve sorted everything into neat piles, get out that label maker. Label each drawer according to its contents. You can remove the labels once you and the family have it down pat, but this can save some time as you get used to the new way of things. 

4. Invest in Organizers, Containers, and Dividers

It'll be tough to tuck everything neatly into drawers without structure. Organizers can be as simple as a cutlery tray or as advanced as dividers for drawers that are big enough to house multiple item categories. Shop around online for organizers that speak to you and your kitchen needs. 

5. Don't Forget the Junk Drawer 

Everyone has a junk drawer or two in the kitchen. Where else can you stash away batteries, loose rubber bands, and takeout menus? To avoid spending all day rifling through detritus to find what you really need, keep junk drawers organized just as you would their more useful siblings. 

6. Throw It Out

On the topic of junk drawers, you gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. That malformed whisk you inherited from your great aunt? Throw it out. The analog meat thermometer that's been rusting in a drawer since the Clinton administration? Throw it out. Once you get rid of the true junk, that leaves room for the stuff that will actually come in handy.