Living in a tiny studio apartment can pose challenges, especially when it comes to limited kitchen space. My kitchen area consists of just one counter, a few cabinets, and a single drawer.
My kitchen junk drawer had become a disorganized mess, filled with a mishmash of items from seasoning packets to plastic utensils. Despite its contents, I struggled to find what I needed, leading to frustration, especially during meal prep.
In need of a solution, I enlisted the help of organization expert Jessica Litman from The Organized Mama to tackle the chaos in my junk drawer. Here’s how she guided me through the process.
Clear Out and Clean
Litman’s first step was to empty the drawer completely and give it a thorough cleaning. This allowed me to declutter and discard unnecessary items before organizing what remained. “Clear out any clutter that was taking up space in the drawer,” Litman advised, suggesting getting rid of unused plastic utensils and other clutter.
Next, we categorized the items and grouped them accordingly. Similar items were placed together, making it easier to arrange them back in the drawer. The real challenge, however, was maintaining this organization to prevent the drawer from reverting to its chaotic state.
I relocated items like seasoning packets and tea bags to containers in my kitchen cabinet, creating more space in the drawer. Now, it houses essentials like matches, a meat thermometer, corkscrews, and measuring tools, which were previously buried under clutter.
Organize by Category
Litman emphasized the importance of maintaining the organization by sticking to categories. “When adding a new item, ensure it aligns with the existing categories in the drawer. If not, consider if it belongs in a different category elsewhere or if it’s even necessary,” she advised.