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Short answer: to organize kitchen drawers, give each drawer one job (silverware, cooking utensils, gadgets, wraps, or a junk drawer), empty and declutter it, measure the inside, then add a divider that fits: an expandable tray for silverware, long compartments for cooking tools, modular bins for gadgets and spring-loaded dividers for deep drawers. Put the drawer closest to the stove in charge of cooking tools.
Step 1: Give every drawer one job
Map your drawers before you buy anything. A common layout is silverware nearest the dishwasher, cooking utensils nearest the stove, wraps and bags near the prep area, and one gadget or junk drawer.
Step 2: Empty and declutter
Take everything out of one drawer at a time. Remove duplicates, broken tools and anything that belongs in another room. Keep the one spatula you actually reach for.
Step 3: Measure the inside
Measure the inside width, the front-to-back depth and the height of the drawer. Measure inside the drawer box, not the drawer front, and check that the drawer above will clear tall organizers.
Step 4: Choose a divider for the job
- Silverware: an expandable tray with small compartments.
- Cooking utensils: long compartments for spatulas, whisks and tongs.
- Gadgets and junk: modular bins in mixed sizes.
- Deep drawers: spring-loaded dividers to create lanes.
- Narrow drawers: a compact, tiered organizer.
Step 5: Place items by frequency
Put the tools you use daily at the front and rarely used ones at the back. Store sharp knives in a guarded slot or a separate block, never loose.
Step 6: Keep it tidy
Add non-slip liner so organizers do not slide, and give each drawer a 30-second tidy when you unload the dishwasher.
Organizers for each kind of drawer
- Best for silverware drawers: Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer
- Best for cooking utensils: OXO Good Grips Expandable Utensil Organizer
- Best for junk and gadget drawers: Vtopmart 25-Piece Clear Drawer Organizer Set
- Best for narrow drawers: Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact Cutlery Organizer
- Best for deep drawers: SpaceAid Bamboo Drawer Dividers
Organizers at a glance
| Product | Best for | Size | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer | Silverware and serving pieces | Expands from about 13 to 19.6 in wide | Bamboo |
| OXO Good Grips Expandable Utensil Organizer | Spatulas, whisks and tongs | Check listing for size | Plastic |
| Vtopmart 25-Piece Clear Drawer Organizer Set | Gadgets and odds and ends | 25 trays in 4 sizes | Clear plastic |
| Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact Cutlery Organizer | Narrow drawers | Check listing for size | Plastic |
| SpaceAid Bamboo Drawer Dividers | Deep drawers and long tools | Spring-loaded, check listing for length range | Bamboo |
The 5 best organizers for each kind of kitchen drawer
1. Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer: Best for silverware drawers
This tray expands sideways to fill the drawer, so silverware stays in its slots instead of sliding into gaps. Extra compartments hold serving spoons and small tools.
Good to know
- Expands to fit
- Compartments for flatware and tools
- Sturdy bamboo
Drawbacks
- Wipe dry, do not soak
- Check depth
Skip it if: your drawer is narrower than about 13 inches.
2. OXO Good Grips Expandable Utensil Organizer: Best for cooking utensils
OXO sized this organizer for cooking tools rather than silverware, with long compartments and an expandable section for bulky items.
Good to know
- Long compartments for big tools
- Expandable
- Easy to wash plastic
Drawbacks
- Not ideal for silverware
- Check drawer depth
Skip it if: you mainly need a silverware tray.
3. Vtopmart 25-Piece Clear Drawer Organizer Set: Best for junk and gadget drawers
Junk drawers fail because every item is a different size. Mix and match small and large trays to build a layout that fits exactly what you keep.
Good to know
- 25 trays in four sizes
- Build a custom layout
- Clear so you can see contents
Drawbacks
- Trays can slide without liner
- Takes time to plan the layout
Skip it if: you want one drop-in tray.
4. Joseph Joseph DrawerStore Compact Cutlery Organizer: Best for narrow drawers
If your only free drawer is narrow, this tiered organizer stores cutlery in a compact, stepped layout that takes far less width than a standard tray.
Good to know
- Fits narrow drawers
- Tiered design saves width
- Easy to wash
Drawbacks
- Holds less than a full tray
- Check drawer height
Skip it if: you have a wide drawer.
5. SpaceAid Bamboo Drawer Dividers: Best for deep drawers
Spring-loaded dividers press against the drawer sides to create lanes for ladles, spatulas or even plastic wrap and foil boxes.
Good to know
- Spring-loaded fit without tools
- Creates lanes in deep drawers
- Bamboo
Drawbacks
- Not for shallow drawers
- Measure drawer width carefully
Skip it if: your drawers are shallow.
Kitchen drawer layout cheat sheet
- Top drawer by the dishwasher: silverware.
- Top drawer by the stove: cooking utensils.
- Drawer by the prep area: measuring cups, peelers, knives in a guard.
- Deep drawer: wraps, foil, bags, or pots with dividers.
- One drawer: gadgets and junk, divided into small bins.
For more product picks, see our best kitchen drawer organizers and small kitchen organization ideas.
Frequently asked questions
How should kitchen drawers be organized?
Give each drawer one job based on where it is: silverware near the dishwasher, cooking tools near the stove, and prep tools near the counter. Then add a divider that fits each drawer.
What goes in the top kitchen drawers?
The items you use most: silverware and everyday cooking utensils. Less-used tools and wraps can go in lower or deeper drawers.
How do I organize a junk drawer?
Empty it, throw out what you do not need, then use a set of small modular bins so batteries, tape, pens and chargers each have a spot.
How do I stop drawer organizers from sliding?
Choose an expandable organizer that fills the drawer, or add a non-slip liner underneath.
How do I organize deep kitchen drawers?
Use spring-loaded dividers to make lanes for long tools, or store pots, lids and food storage containers upright with dividers.
How we chose these products
We compared each product’s design, materials, sizing and long-term owner feedback, then picked the option that best solves each specific problem. We haven’t hands-on tested every product on this list, so always check the current listing for exact dimensions before you buy, since manufacturers update their designs. Read more about how we choose products.
