15 Best Kitchen Drawer Organizers for Mess-Free Silverware
Updated: Jan. 25, 2024
Say goodbye to clutter and hello to missing utensils with the best kitchen drawer organizers that bring order to your household.
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Just when you think you’ll never find a spatula again, hero products come to rescue your messy kitchen. But with multiple options and some subtle (yet key differences), how do you pick the best kitchen drawer organizer? Ask professional organizers, of course!
Designed to bring more functionality to the drawer’s large open space, these organizers create compartments and smaller sections to group similar items together. Plus, dividers prevent items from getting lost or rattling around when opening and closing drawers. Adding kitchen drawer organizers is one of the kitchen organization ideas that makes all the difference.
Don’t guess, get out your tape measure. Note the length, width and depth of the drawer because the most useful style is the one that fits. In fact, professional organizers never buy a clutter solution without measuring first. Between molded trays, tension dividers and stackable boxes, there is a kitchen drawer organizer to fit every space. Here are the best options for clutter-free drawers.
Oxo Good Grips Expandable Drawer Organizer
Why didn’t we think of this sooner? W-shaped inserts in this expandable organizer “give you the ability to place your eating utensils in opposite directions,” says Lauren Saltman, professional organizer and owner of Living. Simplified. Opposing directions mean you can fit more pieces in the kitchen drawer organizer. Customizable to ever-changing needs, the removable dividers pop out whenever you need wider space.
Professional organizers are all about maximizing storage space, like these 20 kitchen storage ideas. The expandable slide-out portion of the organizer is a bonus for Saltman, who would use it for long-handled utensils. This one is a good fit for drawers with a width of 9.75 inches to 16.25 inches.
Joseph Joseph Cutlery & Utensil Organizer
Can 48 utensils fit in a 4-inch organizer? They can if the compartments are angled for perfect stacking! This compact drawer organizer is a real space saver, making the most of every inch. Five silverware slots free up the rest of the drawer for your extensive wooden spoon collection. Plus, this kitchen drawer organizer works in most standard-size drawers.
Nicole Abramovici of Genius Organizing raves, “This is an absolutely brilliant, top-five organizing supply, and I wish I had thought of it myself.” And as with every drawer organizer she reminds us to “just be sure to rinse it out now and then.” Furthermore, easily keep track of tasks with this cleaning schedule to keep your home spotless.
Yamazaki Tower Expandable Cutlery Drawer Organizer
This versatile cutlery organizer lets you change storage options as often as you change your mind about what to make for dinner. The neutral white tray matches almost any kitchen decor and transparent dividers allow for visibility. Movable dividers are helpful for two reasons, says Saltman. “They make it easy to clean and easy to customize the organizer to your specific needs,” she explains. In turn, small spots store smaller items, like gadgets and tools.
“This is an ideal style if you don’t have extra drawers in your kitchen to dedicate to each type of utensil,” Saltman notes. “Newer kitchens tend to have very wide drawers and having a drawer organizer is essential to keeping items in place.” This organizer extends side-to-side from 11.7 inches up to 18.7 inches, which means it works in most drawers. Looks like it’s time to get rid of that old, cracked organizer, along with these other things that a professional organizer would throw out.
Spring-loaded Bamboo Drawer Dividers
Trays and bins can solve messy spots, but drawer dividers are one of the home storage solutions you’ll thank us for later. Spring-loaded bamboo dividers let you customize each section of the drawer. They expand 12.5 inches to 16.5 inches, dividing it from front-to-back or side-to-side. At 4 inches tall, stack them in deeper drawers while the tension keeps them in place and the rubber padded ends prevent scratching.
Sarah Giller Nelson, master organizer and founder of Less is More, exclaims, “I am obsessed with spring-loaded drawer dividers, they are a great way to corral odd-shaped kitchen items.” In her kitchen, she says these keep her grilling utensils (that are too long to fit into standard drawer organizers) neat and tidy. “It is remarkable how one vertical line visually creates a sense of order that is very satisfying,” she raves. If you weren’t sure before, visual mapping is the secret to a clean house!
Oxo Good Grips Expandable Drawer Dividers
No need to lug out the toolbox when installing these drawer dividers. They lock into place with the push of the handle for the easiest install ever. Plus, pick between dividing your drawer side to side or front to back. The best part is you can change the configuration at any time to suit your storage needs.
The dividers start at 11 inches before extending up to 17 inches. Try this pro tip from Giller Nelson: “To create a custom, built-in look I always buy them in the same color as the inside of the drawers.” Designed to work in almost any kitchen drawer, you could even try them in your refrigerator drawer for extra fridge organization.
Oxo Good Grips Expandable Kitchen Tool Drawer Organizer
Designed with unique gadgets in mind, even your clunky garlic press will find a spot in this molded tray organizer. Wine stoppers, chip clips and smaller items have a home in the storage cups, which are easy to remove for cleaning. Square corners allow it to sit flush with the drawer for a built-in look. No corner gap means no place for crumbs to hide, so less cleaning.
“I like this drawer organizer because it’s customizable, allowing the user to create large or smaller sections depending on what’s being stored in the drawer,” says Saltman. Non-slip feet also keep the organizer in place. The tray is 9.95 inches and can slide open to 18.05 inches.
Oxo Good Grips Knife Drawer Organizer
Safety first! Britnee Tanner, a professional organizer, warns that loose knives in drawers are an accident waiting to happen. The knives nest in the grooves of this knife drawer organizer, “which means you can reach for the one you want without getting cut,” Tanner says. Loose knives don’t just lead to injury, but banging the blades can shorten their lifespan. The space-saving, two-level design fits five small knives on the top tier and larger blades below.
Leanna Pegorari, professional organizer and owner of Leanna Pegorari Organizing, loves this compact knife organizer because it “helps in kitchen counter organization by getting the knife block off the counter.” Besides knives, these are the 10 things you shouldn’t be storing on your kitchen countertop. You know what comes next, get out the tape measure to ensure this fits your drawer. It stands at 5.6 inches by 16.45 inches by 2.5 inches.
Rowan Acacia Stacking Drawer Organizer
Build your dream system by mixing and matching these open-top wooden bins. Crafted completely of acacia wood, they’re as durable as they are attractive. Choose from seven sizes (3-by-6-inches all the way up to 6-by-15-inches) to find the arrangement you need. From measuring spoons to veggie peelers, the storage possibilities for all your kitchen utensils are endless. Line up a single layer or, if you stack them, store the most-used items on the top and the less frequently used items below.
iDesign Linus Shallow Drawer Organizer Starter Kit
Get all the benefits of modular stacking but with clear plastic organizers. Transparent storage is always a good choice since you can easily see what’s stored where. What can’t you fit here? You get a two-pack that’s perfect for silverware, pancake turners, bottle openers and your stash of take-out condiment packets.
Only 2 inches high, these containers maximize smaller spaces. No need to choose as the starter kit comes with each of the most popular sizes. One of Pegorari’s favorite drawer organizer styles, she warns that “you might have to play Tetris for a bit,” but once you do, every gadget and cutlery item will have a home of its own. Returning things where they belong is a breeze. That’s just one of the things professional organizers do daily to stay clutter-free.
For true customization, add more components as needed. The 6-by-18-inch layout fits most drawers, but since the pieces aren’t attached, you have lots of options. Saltman’s insider tip: “I recommend cutting scrap paper to size to make sure everything will fit as you imagine it. This is especially useful if you are using several small bins in your drawer.”
Oxo Expandable Long Tool Drawer Organizer
Finally, a way to prevent salad tongs from popping open in the drawer. “Dividers mean that you can separate utensils by type. An expandable long tool organizer means that even those tall spatulas and whisks will fit just right,” says Tanner. Unless you love to clean, you’ll appreciate the squared-off corners of this long tool organizer for a precision fit eliminating that gap where dust gathers. It comes apart for easy cleaning. Speaking of cleaning, this is how to clean a refrigerator inside and out, according to the pros.
Abramovici cautions that you should measure first. The size before expanding is 9.87 inches and extends to 12.75 inches, so just make sure your drawer is wide enough. “If the drawer is only as wide as the un-expanded size, then you don’t need this,” says Abramovici, because you’re not going to open the expandable part.
Custom Drawer Organizer Strips
You’ll feel like a true DIYer after installing these divider strips. These fit where traditional drawer organizers can’t meaning oddly shaped drawers have met their match! Plus, the do-it-yourself part couldn’t be easier, especially with deep-set drawers. Measure, score and snap the dividers into the exact length you need. Then insert the strip into the self-adhesive mount and stick it to the drawer. A tip to banish clutter is to store commonly used items, like picture hangers, in a “junk” drawer. No more forgotten junk!
Marie Kondo Birch 2-Tier Flatware & Utensil Tray
A birchwood tray with a sliding tray on top means you have room for flatware and longer-handled items. Measuring 13.12 inches by 18 inches by 3 inches, not only will drawer organizers make it quick and easy to find what you need, but they’ll revolutionize putting items away. It even hails from organization queen Marie Kondo herself.
Saltman says these are essential to helping you get and stay organized. “Imagine you open your kitchen drawer to find a cooking utensil but since the drawer is large, everything moves around each time you open and close the drawer,” she explains. “You are left searching among a disorganized pile, trying to find the one tool you need immediately, so your food doesn’t burn.” It’s not just organization, it’s safer.
iDesign Linus In-Drawer Spice Rack
Keep 12 standard-size spice jars organized, visible and easily accessible with an in-drawer spice rack. Three angled tiers keep jars secure and in line for readable labels. Pergrari is a fan, saying, “I highly recommend this tiered spice rack for drawers. I use it often in kitchens and it is great for showing all the spices and keeping the jars from clashing into each other.”
Be sure to check your measurements. If you need more spice storage space, Pergrari suggests placing two side-by-side (the dimensions are 8.5 inches by 16.62 inches by 1.5 inches. Wondering how to organize your pantry for smarter storage (and faster food prep)? Try storing savory spices separate from baking spices. It makes it easier to locate the paprika and the pumpkin spice.
Oxo Good Grips Compact Spice Drawer Organizer
Free up countertop space by storing up to nine standard spice jars in the drawer spice organizer. Tanner says, “A drawer option is really nice because it keeps countertops and upper cabinets free for other things.” So, if you have just a few spices, consider a tiered, compact kitchen drawer organizer to keep them neatly sorted.
This fits both round and square bottles. The ridged design keeps jars from rolling around, and the removable tray is super easy to clean. Remember that old, cracked spice spinner? It’s a rarely used kitchen gadget in your basement that a professional organizer would throw out.
Amazon Basics Desk Drawer Organizer
Yes, this alloy steel Amazon organizer was designed for an office desk drawer, but no one says you can’t use it in a kitchen! “My team repurposes products meant for other spaces all the time. It would be great in a kitchen junk drawer,” Pegorari says. Measuring 14.45 inches by 2.2 inches by 11.97 inches, the six compartments (two rectangles and four squares) work just as well for corkscrews and pizza wheels as for pens and paper clips. Attached rubber foot pads prevent it from sliding or scratching surfaces. It’s one of the best home organization tools under $30.
“Before you start shopping for any organization product, it’s always a smart idea to shop your own house first to see what you can reuse or repurpose,” Tanner suggests. And Abramovici agrees.”If you have an extra one of these lying around, by all means, reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose this in some other way.” Besides an unused desk drawer organizer, here are a few other items to reuse and never throw out.
About the experts
- Nicole Abramovici: Nicole Abramovici established Genius Organizing in 2006. She transformed her cluttered tendencies into an organized lifestyle, channeling it into her business. She now helps others lead clutter-free lives, appearing on television, in magazines and in workshops.
- Sarah Giller Nelson: Sarah Giller Nelson is the founder of Less is More Organizing Services, which began in 2010. She is an organizing expert, helping thousands of clients maximize space and achieve balance through organization.
- Leanna Pegorari: Leanna Pegorari is a professional organizer, certified special education teacher and a full-time mom. She is also the owner of Leanna Pegorari Organizing, which helps clients elevate their homes with careful organization systems.
- Lauren Saltman: Lauren Saltman is the owner of Living. Simplified with more than 25 years of experience. As a professional organizer, Lauren prides herself in creating accessible systems that allow people to spend more time doing what they love most.
- Britnee Tanner: Britnee Tanner is a professional organizer who helps busy women simplify their homes with intentionality and purpose. She provides customized, 1:1 organization services in Utah.
Originally Published: October 17, 2023
