Why Your Junk Drawer Needs a Super Fat-Busting Diet
I have spoken before about rethinking the need for a junk drawer, but today I want to address perhaps the most important thing you can put in any drawer: open space.
For most of us, it feels unnatural to leave some open space in a drawer, but ask yourself this. Is the purpose of your drawers to hide away as much stuff as possible or to easily find what you want, when you want it? If you chose the first purpose, I can’t help you. You will probably never have enough drawer space. If, however, you chose the second purpose, then I urge you to leave some open space in your drawers.
Open space is not a waste of space. On the contrary, it is your drawer’s most valuable player. Open space means that you don’t have multiple layers, that conceal. Open space means that you can easily see and access what you have. Open space means that your drawers open easily, because they are not packed tight.
Use drawers to set limits. In the photo above, the drawer is dedicated to just back-up writing implements (and just one pair of scissors.) This is plenty. If I get more writing implements, I get rid of them, rather than waste space, stuffing them into another drawer. In a utensil drawer, you might consider keeping duplicate spatulas as back-ups in the basement or getting rid of them entirely. If the spatula is large and awkward and you use it all the time, then maybe it makes more sense stored in a container by the stove.
The point is, it pays to think carefully about what you really need in your drawer and to cut out the fat. Open space is far more valuable than excess stuff.
Do you have any drawers that need a super fat-busting diet?
Ohhhh. I like this post, Dr. Matt! I have a bad case of ‘horror vacui'(nature abhors a vacuum). Seems like you have the cure!
If nature abhors a vacuum, then I guess I am suggesting something unnatural.
Perhaps organizing is unnatural, but I don’t think so. I love word origins.
Surely the word “organized” is related to “organs,” each performing it’s dedicated function.
You can’t fill an already filled organ, but that is because there is a system in place to empty
our organs as regularly as we filled them. So I would say there is something inherently unnatural
about accumulating clutter, without a system to get rid of it. Perhaps I shouldn’t have had that second IPA.
Never thought of leaving any space at all in drawers and come to think of it, really don’t like all the time wasted looking and re-shuffling to find things. Thanks for such a common sense solution to clutter!
Thanks so much for your comments Arline. It’s so easy to overlook the appearance of our organizing solutions that are hidden… until the moment they let us down.
“If you chose the first purpose, I can’t help you. You will probably never have enough drawer space.”
#truth
Fine. I’ll have a look at my drawers and make some space for… space. :)
This post is so timely for me. I just inherited all of my mother-in-law’s cooking utensils. Great sentimental value as I feel like I visit with her every time I use them. However, I do not need 6 spatulas that are all pretty much the same! Time for some decision making and donating!
Thanks for another great post, Matt.