A useful junk drawer is really a small household utility drawer: a place for practical odds and ends you reach for often. Professional organizers do not share one proven, universal list of seven objects, but these adaptable examples can help you build a drawer around the small fixes and tasks that come up in your home.
What belongs in a useful junk drawer?
Think of the drawer as a home for frequently needed items that are easier to find when they are kept together. Renata Cruz, a cleaning expert and professional organizer at Coastal Maid San Diego, told Good Housekeeping that “junk” should mean different useful things that are handy to keep in one accessible place. Jennifer Moore, founder and professional organizer at Organized Boutique, similarly describes it to Martha Stewart as “a safe space for practical, frequently used items you want easy access to.”
That principle supports a personal list, not a claim that all organizers always keep the same seven things. Choose items that solve small, recurring household needs—and skip anything you already have a better home for.
Seven practical examples to consider
These are adaptable examples, not a universal checklist. Keep only the ones your household actually uses.
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Writing supplies
A pen or pencil is useful for jotting a quick note, labeling something, or filling out a form. Keep a small number that work; dried-out pens only take up space.
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Small tools
A compact screwdriver or another small tool you reach for around the house can make minor adjustments easier. Choose tools for jobs you actually encounter, rather than treating the drawer as a catch-all toolbox.
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Batteries
If you regularly need spare batteries for household devices, keep the types you use together in a contained spot. Separate them from loose metal objects such as keys to keep the compartment orderly.
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Keys you need to identify or access
A spare or less frequently used key may be handy here if you can identify what it opens. Avoid adding unidentified keys that become impossible to sort later.
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Tape
A roll of tape can help with quick household fixes or wrapping small items. Keep it accessible without letting it crowd out more frequently used supplies.
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Small fasteners or repair odds and ends
Keep only the small pieces you have a likely reason to save, and contain them so they do not scatter. If you cannot identify an item or recall a use for it, it may not belong in the utility drawer.
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One small item tied to your household routine
Use the final spot for an item that makes sense for your home—perhaps another writing supply or a frequently needed small accessory. The useful choice depends on what you reach for, not on completing someone else’s list.
How to organize the drawer without buying more clutter
Empty it and sort before choosing what stays
HGTV’s organizing advice from Holly Blakey and Samantha Pregenzer starts with emptying the drawer so you can see what is there. Group similar items, remove obvious trash, and set aside things that belong elsewhere. This reveals which categories genuinely need a place.
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Measure the drawer, then choose compartments
If loose objects are difficult to find, measure the drawer’s usable width, depth, and height before choosing a tray or adjustable dividers. Match the compartment sizes to the items you plan to keep, and favor a layout that lets you see what is inside. HGTV’s experts put the fit principle plainly: “Don’t buy a drawer to fit your organizer — buy an organizer that fits your drawer!” Martha Stewart also reports Moore’s recommendation to use clear organizers and labels where needed.
Reuse containers if they do the job
A purchased organizer is optional. Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, told Ideal Home: “Phone boxes are fantastic, separate them into two pieces and use them as little trays for batteries, keys, or small tools.” A clean, suitably sized container you already own can provide the same basic separation.
Quick Recap
Keep the drawer useful over time
- Give each category a defined compartment or container.
- Keep the contents limited to useful, frequently needed odds and ends.
- Put items back in their assigned places after use.
- Revisit the drawer when it becomes hard to find things, removing items that no longer serve a purpose.
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