A drawer organizer is one of the best ways to declutter your space, giving every random little knickknack a proper home. But all too often, we head to big-box stores with the best intentions of maximizing drawer space, only to find we miscalculated the dimensions (or didn’t calculate at all) and end up with organizers…
Measuring your drawers is one way to figure out what you need. But a visual aid you can take to the store, and physically arrange organizing solutions on, can ensure you get the perfect fit every time. Now, we’re not suggesting you remove your junk drawer and cart it all the way to The Container Store. The idea is to create a blueprint of your drawers to use as a visual guide when selecting dividers and other organizers.
Map Your Way to Organization
To create a drawer blueprint, grab a roll of parchment paper (or kraft paper or packing paper — whatever you have on hand) and use it to trace each drawer’s dimensions. You can fold down any overlapping paper and tape the pieces together until you have one sheet that’s the exact width and length of the drawer. Jot down the drawer’s depth and bring a pocket tape measure to confirm the organizers are also the correct height.
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Then, take this blueprint with you to the store. Place the organizers directly on top of the parchment paper (as if you’re putting them inside the drawer) to see how everything fits together. This will help you take advantage of every square inch of space within the drawer and choose the best organizers in one shopping trip.
The best part (besides avoiding multiple trips to the store) is that if any awkward spaces are left over — which often happens with older furniture that doesn’t have standard sizing — you can get creative. Shop the store for decor items such as small dishes or baskets that can double as drawer organizers.
