Junk Drawer

The junk drawer has a way of becoming a landing zone for all the little things that should really live somewhere else. Out of convenience, they’ve been collected here—the hair ties, the used batteries, the nail clippers, the random screwdriver, the crayon or highlighter you find when you need a pen or pencil. This Mini-Sort is about reclaiming that space and redefining its purpose. Instead of being the “junk drawer,” it becomes your household hub—a practical spot for the few items you truly need quick access to, organized so they’re easy to find and use.

1. Empty and Sort. Take everything out of the drawer—yes, everything. As you go, group items into broad categories such as tools, office supplies, batteries, cords, or household essentials. This isn’t the time to make decisions about where things belong; it’s simply about taking inventory and seeing what’s been living there.
2. Toss the Trash. This is the easy part. Toss the wrappers, mystery keys, dried out pens, old coupons, and unidentifiable bits of plastic. If you can’t name its purpose in under five seconds, it’s probably clutter, not convenience.
3. Relocate the Migrators. Now, create a relocation pile for anything that found its way into the drawer but truly belongs somewhere else. Hair ties and nail clippers should go back to the bathroom. Extra school or craft supplies go to the kids’ zone. Paperwork belongs in your files or office area. Jewelry can return to the bedroom or vanity. These items already have homes—they just landed here because this was the easiest place to drop them.
4. Redefine and Reset Look at what’s left. These are your daily helpers—the items that deserve a spot in your household’s “grab-and-go” zone. Put them back in the drawer by broad function, not perfection. Use small bins or box lids to separate categories and make things easy to find. Think of this drawer as your home’s quick-access hub, where you can reach what you need without the clutter.

It's really that simple. Another space cleared and functional.