Welcome to Day 16 of the 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge! We’re decluttering, reorganizing, and taking a breath of fresh air to create a home we love. If this is your first time joining the challenge, consider starting at the beginning of the series. Affiliate links used for your convenience.
Hey hey! It’s day 16 of our challenge and I can’t believe we’ve already made it halfway. YAY!
Today we’re tackling a problem every household knows well: the junk drawer. This is a simple, straightforward challenge you can finish in about 15 minutes. Get your timer ready and let’s get started!
Everyone has one: a drawer full of odds and ends—receipts, random screws, expired coupons, a handful of pens that don’t work, and a few things you can’t identify. If your “junk drawer” is actually a junk cabinet, plan to add a little extra time. But for most of us, 15 focused minutes is all it takes to transform that chaos into a useful “command center” drawer.
My junk drawer lives in my kitchen and I hadn’t cleaned it out in years. The stuff at the bottom could almost be called antiques. I even removed the organizer and washed it—it was that yucky. It needed a major decluttering and organization overhaul. I like the idea of the junk drawer, but I prefer calling it a command center drawer because that mindset helps keep it functional instead of messy.
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Ready? Follow these simple steps:
- Set a timer for 15 minutes. A short, focused window keeps you from overthinking decisions and helps you make quick choices.
- Remove everything from the drawer. Empty it completely so you can see what you have and clean the interior if needed.
- Group similar items together. Put like items in piles—pens and pencils, batteries, tape and scissors, receipts and coupons, small tools, tech accessories, and miscellaneous office supplies. Decide what to keep, what belongs elsewhere, and what should be tossed or donated.
- Relocate items that don’t belong. If something belongs in an office supply box, your car, a toolbox, or another drawer, move it to the correct place. Keeping items where they belong prevents future clutter.
- Invest in an organizer if you don’t have one. A simple drawer organizer or a few small bins will keep sections separated and make it easy to find things. I’ve used the same style organizer in multiple homes for years—it’s a small investment that makes a big difference.
- Return only daily or near-daily items. Put back the items you reach for often: a working pen or two, scissors, tape, a notepad, and any frequently used small tools or tech bits. Less-used items can be stored elsewhere.
That’s it! Quick, effective, and satisfying. You’ll be amazed at how much better it feels when you open that drawer and can actually find what you need.
Tips to keep the drawer tidy long-term:
- Do a quick five-minute tidy every few weeks to remove stray items and return things to their proper homes.
- Limit how many of each item you store—two working pens are usually enough; donate extras.
- Label sections if you share the drawer with family members so everyone knows where items belong.
- Use small clear containers or dividers to keep small parts, batteries, and clips from getting lost at the bottom.
The Messy Work: Finish the junk drawer challenge. If you have a large cabinet or more than one junk drawer, schedule another 15–30 minute session to tackle those too. Breaking the task into short sessions prevents burnout and keeps progress steady.
Wasn’t that easy? Now you’ll feel so much better every time you open that drawer—and you’ll actually find what you need, when you need it.
In the mess with you, Laura
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- 15 Small Entryway Storage Ideas
- Organized Arts & Crafts Storage Ideas
- How to Declutter Your Home in 5 Simple Steps