DIY Drawer Organizers….You ever open a drawer and just… immediately want to burn your whole house down?
Like, you’re just trying to grab a pen—or a sock, or a spatula—and BAM, the drawer looks like it’s been personally attacked by a raccoon with trust issues. That’s exactly what pushed me to finally tackle DIY drawer organizers—and I promise, I’m no Pinterest mom with a label maker and six hours of free time. I’m just a regular, kind-of-chaotic human trying to survive in this cluttered universe.
And guess what? You don’t need a trust fund or a Container Store obsession to get your life together. I did mine with recycled boxes, tape I found in a junk drawer (ironically), and a deep sense of “something’s gotta change.”
Let me walk you through my mess. Literally.
That Time My Underwear Attacked Me
Okay so… drawer chaos started in my bedroom. One day I was running late (like always) and opened my dresser to grab underwear. But the whole thing was like a tangled mass of cotton, lace, that one ancient sock I refuse to throw away, and—somehow—three receipts and a piece of floss???
And that was it. That was my villain origin story.
I sat on the floor, hair half-straightened, coffee already cold, and just started digging. Not out of productivity. Out of rage. And somewhere in that moment of dramatic despair, I realized something:
“Wait. Couldn’t I just make little boxes or something to keep this crap sorted?”
Brilliant, I know. Move over, Marie Kondo.
Step One: Get Real About the Junk
First off, I had to dump everything. I mean EVERYTHING. If you’re not ready to confront the existential horror of your drawer contents, this might not be the DIY for you.
I found:
- A broken bracelet from 2011 (??)
- Hair ties so stretched out they were basically just loops of sadness
- A rogue almond???
But once I’d sorted through the emotional damage, I could actually see what needed organizing. This is key. No point organizing junk you don’t even need.
Step Two: Hunt for Treasure (aka Trash You Can Reuse)
Here’s the fun part: I didn’t buy anything. Not even a tiny thing. Everything came from around the house. I basically went full scavenger.
Things I used:
- Empty cereal boxes (Cap’n Crunch—don’t judge me)
- Shoebox lids
- Cardboard Amazon mailers (of which I have way too many)
- Masking tape
- Washi tape (because aesthetic matters, okay??)
- Scissors
- A box cutter (don’t tell my mom)
Pro tip: Those skinny granola bar boxes? Perfect for socks and undies. You’ll feel like a genius.
Step Three: The “Engineering” Part
This is where I thought things might go off the rails, but surprisingly, it was kinda therapeutic? Like crafting without pressure. And I didn’t measure a single thing—chaotic good energy only.
Basic game plan:
- Cut cardboard boxes to size (you can eyeball it—this is not NASA).
- Tape the bottom flaps so they stay solid.
- Use tape to reinforce the sides if they’re a little floppy.
- Arrange inside the drawer like a puzzle—just keep shifting till stuff fits.
And boom—suddenly I had this weirdly satisfying grid of mini compartments. My bras had a home. My socks weren’t mingling with expired coupons. It was glorious.
Real Talk: Why This Actually Works
I know it’s not some sleek, acrylic, $79.99 organizing solution. But you know what? It works. And it makes you feel strangely accomplished. Like “look at me, being responsible” vibes.
Plus, it’s:
- Budget-friendly (zero dollars, baby)
- Custom-fit (because you made it)
- Kinda fun? (Don’t tell anyone I said that)
Also, the next time you open that drawer and everything stays put? That’s serotonin, my friend.
Drawer #2: The Kitchen Disaster Zone
Once I got cocky with my sock drawer, I moved on to the kitchen. Specifically, The Drawer. You know the one. Everyone has one. It’s where you shove scissors, batteries, takeout menus, rubber bands, paperclips, rogue keys… maybe even a screwdriver or two.
This drawer was… aggressive.
I almost gave up before I even started, but then I found an old silverware tray I forgot I had. It didn’t fit the drawer perfectly, but I Frankensteined it with some extra cardboard compartments and suddenly… the chaos had order.
I swear the scissors actually smiled at me when I gave them a proper home.
The “Fancy” Custom Touches (Optional But Fun)
Okay so once you’ve got your organizers in place, here’s where you can get a little extra if you’re into that kinda thing.
- Wrap the boxes in gift wrap or old magazine pages
- Label the compartments with sticky notes, tape flags, or sarcastic comments (I labeled one section “things I pretend I need”)
- Add felt or fabric inside to make it feel ✨luxurious✨
No judgment if you skip this. But if you do it? It’s like suddenly your drawer has a personality.
A Few Lessons From This DIY Drawer Organizers
- You don’t need to spend money to get organized. I mean, sure, if you want to buy a velvet-lined modular drawer system, go off. But you really can start with trash and 45 minutes of your life.
- Perfection is overrated. Some of my dividers are crooked. One box is definitely held together by sheer will. But they still work. And that’s enough.
- Decluttering is a slippery slope. First it was socks. Then kitchen stuff. Then makeup. Now I’m eyeing the garage like, “What if…”
- I still have no idea where that almond came from.
Wanna Try It? Here’s Your Mini Starter Checklist
- Empty the drawer (prepare emotionally)
- Sort into trash/keep
- Grab some cereal boxes, shoeboxes, or delivery cartons
- Scissors, tape, optional coffee and chaos playlist
- Cut to fit and arrange like a weird Tetris
- Feel wildly accomplished
And that’s literally it. You don’t need crafting skills nor need to be “that organized friend.” You just need a drawer and the kind of mild rage that comes from never finding your favorite chapstick.
Bonus: Watch This Happen on TikTok about DIY Drawer Organizers
I saw this girl on TikTok try to make a drawer organizer out of nothing but duct tape and hope. It failed gloriously. But you know what? She inspired me. Sometimes watching someone else try—and struggle—is the biggest motivation.
Also, if you want to see some aesthetically satisfying drawer DIYs that are way too good for this world, check out @thefoldednest on Instagram. Her sock drawer is like… art. I aspire.
