Rebrand the Junk Drawer

Ever wonder why we call it a “junk drawer”?  It’s not really filled with junk, right?  

It’s more of a treasure trove of life’s little essentials like spare keys, batteries, rubber bands, even some random tools, and sometimes some mystery items we swear we will need one day. 

It's a little bit of a mess but nothing is "junk"

If your junk drawer is rightfully named because it’s truly filled with junk, then I highly recommend disposing of it all right away.  Junk, by definition, is simply trash!  So throw it away, and make instant space for more important things.  

I say it’s time for a rebrand.  How about a “Utility Drawer”, or “essentials stash”, or “life’s toolkit”.  My preference is Utility Drawer, but you call it what resonates with you!  

I do have some suggestions for this newly rebranded drawer that i think you should think about doing with your own utility drawer or essentials stash so that it looks a little less junky, and so you can find those mystery items when you finally discover the need for them.

1. Tag the spare keys so you know what the key is for.  Those keys are useless to you if you have no clue what it’s for. I have keys in my drawer, and I have them tagged so when I need to lock the back gate i know which key it is, or when I need to open my safe i can find the key, or when I need to get in my dad’s house i know which key to take with me.  

2. Compartmentalize the items with small drawer inserts.  This keeps similar items together so they are easily found/accesible.  Once the keys are tagged, keep them all in one tray, and spare car key fobs in another one.  I have a couple screwdrivers and small toolkit all together in one tray, and extra car air fresheners in another one.  This does not have to be an expensive plan.  These small drawer inserts/trays are pretty cheap.  You can even find them at the dollar store (or should i call it the $1.25 store haha)

3. If you keep spare hardware from when you assemble furniture, i highly recommend placing them in small baggies and writing on the baggie what it’s for.  Labeling isn’t necessary if you are just keeping them for a potential future use.  But place a limit on how much of this stuff you keep.  For example only allow 1 drawer tray.  You wouldn’t believe how quickly random hardware accumulates and can take over a drawer.  

Just needed a couple more drawer trays to fine tune this "utility drawer"

These 3 suggestions can completely transform you junk drawer to utility drawer in a matter of seconds.