Kitchen Drawer Organization

As someone who likes to cook, I found my kitchen drawers were overrun with tools and gadgets. I heard a tip on HGTV that I thought I'd try, and lo and behold, it worked to stop the clutter!

What you do is empty one drawer at a time into a box or bin. Then you set that box or bin on the counter above the drawer, and use the utensils out of that box for 1 month. As you use something and wash it, put it back in the drawer. After a couple of weeks, it becomes pretty clear which utensils and items you use in a month, and which you don't. Then you can get rid of what's left in the box after a month. You don't use it, you don't' need it hanging around!

One caveat: If a couple of the items are things that are seasonal, but you use every year, keep them, but put in a drawer that is less often used. Examples would be a pastry cutter (holiday pie making), Christmas cookie cutters, or cake decorating items. As long as you actually do use them seasonally, it's OK to keep them. One example given was a spaetzle maker (European noodle) that they made every certain holiday. It was only used once a year, but was used religiously and fondly.

So I encourage you to give this a try. You'll be surprised what you can do without. Things I got rid of included multiple spatulas, wooden spoons, and lesser-quality tongs. I found out I do not use the stainless steel spatulas I had, but always reach for a non-stick one. I don't use wooden spoons too often, but have to have my long, sturdy, flat-edged one for making roux; the rest could go. And cheap tongs bought at the grocery store I never used when I had my nice spring-loaded ones handy. I donated these items to a Christian thrift store in the area, and they were glad to get them. About as glad as I was to get rid of them.