Pure Organization Project #5: (You Knew It Was Coming): The Junk Drawer

So it's another not-so-pretty project, but one that makes life easier.  The truth is, my junk drawer got to the point where it wouldn't shut anymore, so it was really obvious as to which organizational project we'd be undertaking this week.  It was so bad:


So many things that belonged in other places had found their way in.  (above)  I did this junk drawer clean-up in 2 stages.  (In the first one, above, I got rid of all of the things that didn't belong and got plastic ziploc bags to corral all of the different little things like screws, extra wine stops, pingpong balls, etc.  It took 10 minutes or so.)  Something else must have demanded my attention because I stopped there.  I picked up the project a couple of days later when it was here:


There were still some things that needed to go elsewhere so I ditched them and added a drawer organizer & had fun putting all of the little things in their spots:  (so organizationally-nerdy, I know!)  And here it is now:


Yes, she's a beauty!  hahaa  but I'm seriously really proud of it.  My sister-in-law was visiting the other day & asked me where a pen was and I was SO happy she'd asked.  "It's in the junk drawer," I said and directed her to it.  "THIS is your junk drawer???"  She asked.  And it thrilled me to the bone.  "YES!!  It is!!"  (And then I went on to tell her that it was a new & improved junk drawer.) 

I've had this drawer organizer (below) for years & don't remember where I got it but I came accross it a few days ago in the basement.  Perfect!  I love that the top slides to reveal space below.  You have to be careful with these though...  If you don't keep them organized & they get to full, they can become really cranky & keep the drawer from closing.  (I speak from experience...  I think it's why the thing ended up in the basement.)



See our cooking stone above?  And I saw a pretty green gift bag lying around so I sliced it open & lined the bottom of the drawer with it.  I grabbed some seldom-used bowls & used them to corral matches & name holder wine corks.  Now we've got a good spot for our his & hers screwdrivers:



My plan of attack was to basically get all of the tiny things & put them in other containers like the bags of misc screws. nails, etc.  It really helped because for us it was the little things that were everywhere that drove me insane:



... And the broken pieces of chalk went into this little jar:


I specifically left extra space in the junk drawer so it can do its job as a catch-all for random things of the kitchen, but I do know it'll need need tending to in a few months or so.  But I have to say, I enjoyed the project so much more because of the green gift bag lining the drawer.  As silly as it sounds, I know I'll keep it neater in there just because it's prettier.  Can't wait to see your projects!!

xoxo,
lauren

I'm attempting to use Mr.Linky so if you participate in this week's junk drawer project, you can link to your blog post here!  Just type in your name and the address of the exact post so we can all visit.  (I know there must be a better way to explain that but I really don't know it.) 


*Also check out this giveaway giving you the chance to have design help for the front of your home!!

40 comments:

vignette design said...

Hi Lauren,
Now this one is a challenge! My junk drawer won't even close! I'm falling a little behind though, I just posted about my closet "makeover" with your challenge inspiring me! Hope you don't mind. Anyway, I will try to get my junk drawer together this week and hopefully link up on Mr. Linky! Thanks for the inspiration. -Delores

Tina said...

Who knew a junk drawer could look so fabulous Lauren :) Looking forward to getting started on project # 5 and will join up with Mr Linky...! Thanks for the new project and inspiration! Have a wonderful day Lauren - Tina x

Kathysue said...

I am definitely going to clean out my junk drawer. It is so funny how it got that name but rightfully so. I actually have two. one for pens,papers and such and another for the batteries and the who-knows-whats. Lets see if I can get that started tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration. the bright green bag makes it a designer happy drawer, there, I just renamed it for you. Kathysue

simply seleta said...

I'm not ready to post my J U N K drawer quite yet, so I'll just comment instead of link. What I wanted to say was, this is a Real Simple magazine post! You nailed it! And made it oh so pretty.

P.S. You're going to love mr. linky!

Alaina @ Live Creating Yourself said...

Looks great! Unfortunately in my new apartment, I have a junk room instead of just a drawer... hah. Might take a while.

Cheers,
Alaina

Anonymous said...

Oh dear - I have several junk drawers (and closets, and shelves...). I so need to tackle one. When I do I'll link to it but, sadly, I have nothing remotely tidy to show yet!

DustyLu said...

Ok that is so great! Can you come do my house next? Iam going to try it. Thanks for the idea. ~lulu

Anna White said...

Lauren...great job!! Doesnt it feel great to do some culling..and organising...however big or small...and what little surprises you find..and think....ahhh...so thats where it was..lol
Great job...love the green paper to line the drawer also :)

Maria Killam said...

Excellent idea to do it this way Lauren. Your junk drawer look fab!

debra @ 5th and state said...

you can even make a junk drawer look gorgeous!
sigh.......i have dozens of junk drawers.......on my to do list. thanks for the inspiration lauren!
debra

Vanya Wilkinson said...

nice work, I esp love the funky paper at the bottom nice touch. I noticed the magnetic measuring spoons, my Mum sells these in her kitchen/homewares shop here in New Zealand, small world :)

Jules said...

It is with great sadness that I have to confess that my junk drawer(s) are no longer. I will just blog a photo as soon as I finish this of a shot I took, just before I sold them, JUNK AND ALL! My problem now is that I have 5 large boxes of junk and I can't part with any of it. Wish you had been her when I went through it!

Gosia said...

Woow ! Muss ich nachmachen, bei mir ist schon Chaos in meiner Schublade ;) BR from Austria, margaretha

Sherrie said...

Impressive

Living It At Home said...

Hi Lauren! I think everyone has a drawer that looks just like that (lots of junk). I certainly do! It is the one that I hate to tackle. Your post has reminded me that I must do it and make it "pretty"!

Thanks so much!
~jamilyn

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Lauren, I recently tackled my junk drawers....but I love the idea for pretty paper lining them....I may have to head over to Paper Source for some pretties. Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Love the challenges. They've all been things I need to do too. Did you say junk drawer? (singular?) I've got at least one in every room. Since I'll probably be snowed in for the next month, this could be the perfect way to pass the time.

Thanks,
Julie

Tammy@InStitches said...

It looks so neat ! I did one of mine last year and it's stayed pretty straight. But, I do have 3 others that need cleaning out.

La Dolfina said...

You know you've got it going on when you can direct someone to your "junk drawer" and they are impressed!!
Great job :)
Terri

Anonymous said...

I love organization projects! Looks great! I'll have to participate in the future!

Jennifer said...

CRAP now I'm going to have to do my junk drawer too :) Thanks for the motivation ... I think ...

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

You go girl!!! Love your organizing posts.

xo,
cristin

pixelimpress said...

lauren, i've been following along with your projects. i actually got ahead of the class and organized my junk drawer 2 weeks ago, just suspecting it would be an upcoming project (well, that and the fact that i could no longer open it!).

i love your drawer liner! pam

Anonymous said...

This is just the motivation I needed. My junk drawer gives me anxiety whenever I look in it.

p.s. your "after" pics are like something out of 'Real Simple'! Wowzer!

Kelley at My Island Wedding said...

found you via pixelimpress..., loving your stylish organizational skills!

thanks so much!
it's inspiring!
-kelley

Tricia said...

Ugh Lauren~ this makes me feel so guilty just looking at it! Ok, ok...I'll organize my junk drawer{S}. Thanks for the reminder and inspiration. :-)

Laurie from Laurie Jones Home said...

A new baby, a toddler and organizing, you rock!!

Melissa said...

Sadly I have a junk closet.... your drawer looks beautiful!

LindsB said...

Is it weird that I love seeing what is in peoples junk drawers? I love your after, the crazy organizer in me loves that everything has a home now.

Stephanie Sabbe said...

looks good! I am a#1 unorganized...I always say it's a part of being creative...but you are kind of ruining that for me.

Anonymous said...

Love it! I have to say, organization and lack of clutter makes my heart SING! Gorgeous!

Tracy Watier said...

Oh nooo!! Not my junk drawer! Don't make me go in there!
Perhaps looking at your great example and the others who've linked up, will help me be brave...

DesignTies said...

I'm so impressed, Lauren!! I have a junk drawer that I continue to ignore... well, until I try and open it! Then I completely frustrated haha!! ;-) I think it's time for me to get a little more organized!

We're having a giveaway at DesignTies, too... a lovely necklace and matching earings for Valentine's Day. I hope you'll drop by and enter!!

Victoria

Ms. Manor said...

Looking forward to next week's project... oooooh, I hope it is the medicine cabinet (hint, hint)!

Marija said...

I can proudly say that I do not have a junk drawer - but only because I have at least 3 of those little slide-y drawer insert thingys! And I don't know where I bought them either...

Perhaps I should use THIS week to catch up on some of the old projects I still haven't gotten around to completing!

Marija

Katy said...

What a dreamy junk drawer. I want all of mine to look this GREAT!!!

kate forte said...

It's always been a mission of mine to organize things and make them pretty at the same time. Thanks Lauren!

Courtney said...

The drawer looks great. I love the feeling of satisfaction I get from bringing organization to an area that has been sorely needing it (at the moment, I'm working on reorganizing our out-of-control pantry!)

julielorusso@gmail.com said...

Thanks for this challenge. Just what I needed on a snowy day make myself feel better. I did Mr. Linky if you want to check it out.

elisabeth (bovagoods) said...

running a bit behind on the junk drawer! just posted it on my blog and mr. linky! ;)