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I’ve been tackling the chaos that was my kitchen drawers recently and I’ve got to tell you, finding the right cutlery drawer organizer has been a game changer in optimizing my storage space. Something about a new year makes me want to refresh and organize everything!
I felt overwhelmed and unsure where to start, so rather than tackling an entire space, I went shelf by shelf and drawer by drawer. Now, my kitchen drawers have gone from a jumbled-up mess to an orderly space that makes meal times more relaxing.
I found a great organizer that fits perfectly in my drawer and has just the right number of sections. Whether you have a super small kitchen drawer or are trying to tidy things up, these tips should help!
How Do You Organize a Kitchen Drawer with Utensils?
The first space I organized this year was my cutlery drawer. After all, it’s probably the most used drawer in the kitchen.
The easiest way to clean and organize anything is to start with a blank slate, so I removed my existing cutlery and the old utensil organization dividers as the first important step.
This handheld vacuum is the best for cleaning out drawers. I donated any old or mismatched silverware and ordered this new blue set to try out. It reminds me of a similar set sold on the Serena and Lily website, but it was only $30 for a 20-piece set!
Once you are ready to start filling the drawer back up, slip this organizer into place. It’s by far one of the best kitchen drawer organizers. Be sure to measure your drawer space before ordering since it comes in different sizes! It makes a huge difference that the organizer fits the drawer almost entirely. It looks custom but was under $30.
Expandable Silverware Drawer Organizer
This organizer looks custom and is so affordable! It has all of the features you need – an expandable base with large compartments, a removable knife block, and plenty of slots for forks, spoons, and utensils.
How to Pick a Cutlery Drawer
If you have a super small kitchen, there may be just one obvious drawer that will work to store your cutlery. If you have more options, here are some things to consider when selecting your kitchen utensil drawer.
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Ideally, you want to pick a drawer close to the dishwasher. This makes unloading super easy and quick! You can grab the clean cutlery and stash it away without trekking across the kitchen.
Also, consider how close the drawer is to where you’ll be eating. Setting the table is a breeze if your drawer is near the dining table. You’re looking for the spot that will make your life easier when putting away clean silverware and getting it out for meals.
What is the Correct Order of Cutlery in a Drawer?
There are no rules here. Your drawer can still look extremely organized even if you don’t follow “the rules” when arranging the cutlery divider.
The general rule of thumb is to arrange cutlery in the order it would appear on the dining room table. Forks go on the left, followed by knives and spoons like a traditional place setting. However, I’ve never followed these guidelines so do whatever works best for you.
This particular organizer has room for larger utensils on either side, and four slots for your forks, spoons, and knives. So, you could arrange the dinner forks first, followed by dessert forks, large spoons, and butter knives.
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Personally, I like the varied look of alternating between forks and spoons. Experiment around with it and see what functions in the best way for you.
Mismatched silverware and utensils can make a utensil organizer look cluttered and messy, but from a practical standpoint, it just makes sense to have different sets from different places. Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfectly cohesive. It’s your own space, it needs to work!
I decided to place my older silverware set under the new one. My best tip is to keep the pieces in a set together instead of mixed in the drawer!
This drawer organizer has tons of space for more than just your cutlery. It’s great for storing utensils like ladles, tongs, whisks, slotted wooden spoons, and turners.
This blue and white silicone cooking utensil set has been a favorite. I love this brand of kitchen accessories and utensils!
Most likely, all your “extra” utensils won’t fit in the drawer organizer, especially if you have a smaller drawer. I love having a countertop utensil holder like this to display a pizza cutter, spatulas, whisks as needed, etc. This is also an ideal spot for a rolling pin since it won’t fit in the drawer.
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My Favorite Feature – The Removable Knife Block
A feature I love about these bamboo drawer dividers is that has a removable knife block. I put my everyday knives in it, but it’s great for easy access to cooking knives! It can hold up to six knives that are 10 inches or less.
I love this option for storing knives without taking up counter space.
You can also remove the knife block if you find it more practical to use this space for small utensils, a teaspoon set, straws, serving utensils, vegetable peelers, or corn on the cob holders.
Where Else Can I Use This Organizer?
The great thing about drawer organizers is that they can be repurposed in other spaces in your house! This one works in a bathroom, laundry room, or office desk. You can still find a great place for it outside of the kitchen.
If you prefer using a custom drawer organizer, I have heard good things about Rev-A-Shelf.
Other Kitchen Organizational Must Haves
I also love this designer-inspired bamboo silverware set. It matches my coastal grandmillennial home and easily elevates any table setting in a great way!
The 20-piece set is under $30 on Amazon and a similar set is sold on Pottery Barn for $70! I love finding designer looks for less.
Other areas I plan to organize in my kitchen next are my pantry, junk drawer (we all have them), under the sink, and a few more kitchen drawers. There’s just something about a well-organized kitchen that feels so good.
Other Kitchen Favorites
These should help me tackle my next organizing project.
Conclusion
A tidy, functional cutlery drawer might just be the mini makeover your kitchen needs. With the right organizer and a little sorting, you can turn a cluttered drawer into a functional space that makes cooking and meal prep much smoother.
Find an organizer that fits your space and suits your needs. Whether that’s for your silverware, knives, or other kitchen utensils, you’ll want them to be displayed in a way that matches your style. Here’s to a more streamlined kitchen with drawers that are perfectly organized.
