A Messy Stuff Drawer is sometimes called a Junk drawer, but if it was junk why would we need it?!
Everyone’s got a stuff drawer. Usually they’re in the kitchen. The bigger the drawer the messier it’s gonna get. Unless you’re constantly tidying, these babies are gonna get messy and need a yearly sort out.
PURGE
FACT: sometimes it’s hard to move things on because they’ve been in our lives for a long time. The nature of brain plasticity holds us in thought patterns to the tune of: “that thing I’ve been saving ‘in case I needed it’, is still a wise thing to keep. Even 20 years after I first put it in the drawer”.
Here’s something else to add to that thought pattern: “AND, I’ve gotten this far through my life finding a solution, every single time, I’ve needed one. I substituted, I created, I bought, I changed my plans… and I’m doing alright. I’ll keep surviving. It’s safe for me to move this old item on.”
Let me tell ya, You’re Not Dead Yet.
No matter how old you are there’s more growing learning evolving and changing to do.
Holding onto too much old stuff cements your view of future-you being the same. Using the same stuff, as the old you. Do what you’ve always done and get what you’ve always got. Or change.
SORT
Whenever possible group Like with Like. Things you’d pull out together, like wrapping paper/scissors/tape/ribbons, go well in the top tray or in a container you take out in one go. The easier you can make it to use, the tidier it’s gonna stay.
Tiny little things like screws, candles, paper clips etc should be in lidded containers. Because picking up these things when they get scattered through everything else, really sucks!
Keep bulky items somewhere else. I’m guilty of keeping 10mtr lengths of rope in my stuff drawer and it’s a pain! I should put them in the garage, but I never got around to it.
ORGANISE
Dividing it into separate areas with smaller containers is the only real way I’ve found to prevent ‘rummage chaos’.
Drawers that get a lot of use also get dirty quicker. Here’s where you get to decide what type of containers suit you best. Is your cleaning style ‘little and often’ or do you prefer to leave a job until you’re inspired to ‘do one big mission’?
Containers with solid bases are better because you can pull each one out and clean it every so often.
If you choose mesh-type containers, all the ‘dander’ falls to the base of the drawer. So you have to pull everything out and vacuum/wipe the whole base of the drawer out. In one massive go.
If your Stuff Drawer is deep, you’ll need to layer it with some large, easy to pick up and move, trays. Utensil dividers are great for the top layer. On the bottom layer you can use separate containers because you don’t often have to pull them out.
Supreme Hack: Use non slip padding in the drawer because it stops things sliding around and keeps it tidier for longer.
Only fill the space you have to max 75% capacity. Leave room for additions and rummaging or bits and bobs will get knocked into the wrong places. If you’re using something from this drawer you’re likely in a bit if a hurry and don’t have time to be fussy.
Be cautious putting paper in this drawer. Paper can smother the tidiest area faster than you can say “I’ll pop this here so I don’t lose it”. Paper is another blog all together!
Good luck getting that monster of a drawer sorted! Once it’s done I bet you keep opening it to see how pretty it’s looking ; )
If the rest of the kitchen is also driving you crazy, give me a call and together we’ll put it on a fast track to Gorgeous!
Join the crowd today getting Supremely Organised and living Deliciously Clutter Free.