5 Easy Steps to Declutter and Organize Your Kitchen Drawers

Your kitchen drawers might be small, but they hold a surprising amount of chaos. From tangled utensils and mystery gadgets to rubber bands, receipts, and batteries, it’s easy for these drawers to turn into catch-all clutter zones. For Week #27 of my 52-Week Declutter Challenge, we’re zooming in on those kitchen drawers — one of the most used (and most ignored) spaces in the home.

As a Certified Interior Decorator and Professional Organizer, I always say: big transformations start with small wins. Tackling your drawers might feel insignificant, but trust me — when your daily essentials are easy to find, your kitchen functions better and feels calmer.

Here’s my 5-step process to whip your drawers into shape.

Step 1: Empty It All Out

Don’t try to organize around the clutter — just start fresh. Take everything out of the drawer and lay it on your countertop. This gives you a clear view of what you actually have and how much space you’re working with.

You might be surprised at how much is lurking in the back — expired coupons, old chopsticks, crusty sauce packets, or tools you haven’t used in years.

Is your kitchen drawer more junk than joy? 🧃⚙️Use these 5 easy steps to declutter and organize it like a pro! ✨ Click To Tweet

Step 2: Sort, Purge, and Group

Now comes the fun part: the purge. Toss or donate anything that doesn’t serve a purpose, isn’t used regularly, or simply doesn’t belong in the kitchen. That includes duplicate tools, broken pens, or those tiny manuals you’ve never opened.

Then, group similar items. For example:

• All measuring tools together
• Cooking utensils
• Food storage accessories
• Chargers or tech cords (keep only if you really use them!)

Step 3: Clean Your Drawers

Before anything goes back in, clean the inside of the drawers thoroughly. Crumbs, dust, and even sticky spills tend to accumulate in these tight spaces.

Use a gentle all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth. You can also line the drawer with a non-slip mat for extra protection and easier cleaning in the future.

Step 4: Use Organizers That Fit Your Lifestyle

This is where the magic happens! Good organizers turn a messy drawer into a streamlined storage system. I recommend:

• Adjustable bamboo drawer dividers for separating sections naturally
• Clear acrylic bins to keep small items visible and tidy
• Custom cutlery trays for your most-used silverware

Affiliate note: I’ve personally used and loved these organizers in my own kitchen — they’re affordable, versatile, and worth every penny.

Tired of digging through a messy drawer for one paperclip or battery? 🙈Take back control of your kitchen drawers in 5 simple steps!🔗 Click To Tweet

Step 5: Put Things Back with Intention

Now it’s time to reassemble your drawer, but with purpose. Think about how often you use each item and where it makes the most sense to store it. Keep daily-use items toward the front, and reserve back corners for lesser-used tools.

Pro Tip: If your drawer still feels crowded, you’re likely holding onto too much. Less really is more!

🛠️ Bonus: Label and Maintain

If you’re following my 52-Week Declutter Challenge, this is the perfect time to reset your kitchen drawers and make them functional again. Don’t forget to share your before and after photos with me on Instagram or inside my private Facebook group.

👉 Need help getting started? Watch this week’s YouTube video for extra motivation!

As always, if you need help getting your home and life organized, register for my free “5 Days to an Organized Home & Life” email course. Each day you will receive strategies for keeping your home & life organized and having a “company ready” home at all time. You can register for the free course at www.decoratorsvoice.com/free5daycourse

For information about my Full Home & Life Organizational Strategies course, please visit www.decoratorsvoice.com/homestrategiescourse. In this course, you’ll receive tons of useful information, a one on one private consultation, access to my private Facebook group, and a physical Divine Life and Home Planner.

Thanks for stopping by. If you have any organizational or decorating questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I would love to hear from you. For information concerning our decorating services and products, please visit www.divineelementsofdesign.com.