What would your junk drawer say?
A spare battery. A pen on its last limb. A sticky note you meant to revisit three months ago.
You know the drawer. We all have one. It's not organized. It's not proud of itself. But it's there, lurking.
Imagine it could talk.
“I’ve been here for years. I’ve held rogue thumbtacks, orphaned random keys, and a glue stick from 2009. I once had order...now I’m just...vibes.”
The Bermuda Triangle of your home. We're not here to judge, but here to help!
Short answer: Because life is busy.
A junk drawer is where random stuff lands when there’s no clear system. It's the “I’ll deal with this later” zone. And for many of us, it’s the only system that’s ever kind of worked.
But there’s a smarter way to make it function without turning into chaos
You don’t have to eliminate it. Just reframe how you use it.
Ideally, your junk drawer is used as a utility drawer. As a place for essentials you actually reach for, not just the random overflow stuff.
Let’s walk through how to make that happen.
Take everything out. Every rubber band, Lego, and spare battery. Wipe down the drawer, give yourself a clean slate. Use this time to go through coupons for expiration dates, pens that don't work anymore, and anything broken.
Group like with like: batteries, writing tools, notepads, small tools, adhesives. Even the smallest of things, like thumbtacks, deserve a designated space.
This gives you visibility and stops the cycle of shoving things wherever they fit.
Any sort of dividers should make it easier to maintain structure.
If multiple people use the drawer (hello, roommates, partners, or kids), labels can save you from future mystery messes or disorganization.
Tip! Keep the labels simple: “Tools,” “Pens,” “Batteries,” etc.
Don’t wait until it’s overflowing. Revisit the drawer every 3–6 months and purge what’s no longer useful.
Pair it with something you already do, like swapping seasonal clothes or replacing air filters.
Don't worry, your drawer doesn't have to be Pinterest-perfect. Just make it work for you.
Clarity, even in the smallest corners of your home, creates less friction in your day.
So yes, keep your junk drawer. Just don’t let it stay junky.
Want More Home Hacks and Organization Tips?
Follow us on Instagram for real-life solutions, behind-the-scenes snapshots, and smart ways to make your home work better for you, from Austin’s most trusted personal assistant team.