The problem of clutter can easily arise in many areas. But it can be especially easy for it to occur with drawers. This is because of the old saying ‘out of sight, out of mind’. But removing clutter and preventing it from occurring again is certainly achievable, so let’s look now at 10 tips for how to do so.
- If It Hasn’t Been Used in the Last Year Throw It Out
Of course, there are some exceptions here, but overall this rule of thumb helps insure goods that are stored in a drawer do indeed have ongoing value and use. If an item hasn’t been used in the past year, it could be the case that it’s not actually necessary to keep it.
- Make a Habit of Regularly Taking an Inventory of Items
While it’s certainly wise to perhaps take out something that’s not been used in a year, it’s also important to examine goods more than once a year! How often an inventory check should be done depends on the drawer and how often it’s used for storage, but once a month could be a good starting point when looking to find a spot for this task in the calendar.
- Take a Photograph of What Items Are in There
This can make it super easy to locate something when on the move, and it helps ensure clutter does not build up. Furthermore, with the storage of photos in the cloud on many devices, it can also be easy to share with others if they are looking for a particular item and are unsure which drawer it is in. This can save time as flicking through photos on the phone can be much quicker than opening every draw.
- Define a Purpose for the Drawer Going Forward
A great way to keep drawer storage free of clutter is to define a set purpose for each drawer. For example, storing stationery in one drawer, and small tools in another drawer. For a range of drawers suitable for different uses take a look at RS Components. Then, look to ensure the purpose of the drawers is maintained going forward, and no items are put in there that shouldn’t be.
- Have a Drawer That Is Easy to Open and Close
Drawers that are hard to open can make it much less likely for people to see all the contents inside them. This means clutter can easily build up. So maintaining drawers to avoid them getting stuck can help prevent mess occurring.
- Move the Drawer Into an Area of Visibility and Regular Traffic
If a drawer is in a cabinet that’s portable or able to be easily relocated, moving it into an area of high visibility and traffic not only improves access to storage but can help avoid the drawer becoming a ‘dumping ground’ due to it being situated in an isolated area of a workplace.
- Only Store Items That Fit Easily
Items that get stuck together in drawers grow the risk of clutter occurring. By only storing items that fit, it diminishes the chance a blockage will occur.
- Make a Habit of Putting Items in There Often
It may sound counterintuitive, but regularly placing items in the drawer it will help with remembering what is in the drawer and help maintain its purpose. When a drawer is underused, it can quickly become overcrowded as goods are randomly placed there on a whim.
- Put a Sticky Note Inside the Drawer
On the note write down what goods should be stored in the drawer. This will help ensure others do not mistakenly add in the drawer goods that should be stored elsewhere.
- Get a Plastic Storage Drawer to Aid Organisation
Even with a ton of tips implemented, combating clutter can still be a challenge. A plastic storage drawer can be a fantastic tool to help prevent clutter, and make organization a breeze.
Conclusion
Optimizing drawer storage isn’t always easy. By contrast, it is always worthwhile. By following these tips here it’s possible to maximize the use of drawers, remove clutter, and minimize the risk of it reoccurring in the future.
