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Bettesworth Construction
drawer organization

A Simple Storage Method for Small, Miscellaneous Items

Empty the catchall, sort small items by purpose, and give each group a fitted compartment or tray. Measure the space before choosing storage.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 2 min read
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Empty the catchall drawer or box, sort what is inside by purpose, and give each group its own compartment or tray. This simple routine makes small items easier to find and less likely to jumble together. The best organizer depends on the space and what you need to store; measure before buying one.

How to organize small miscellaneous items

  1. Empty the spot. Put everything from the drawer, box, or shelf onto a clear surface so you can see what you have.
  2. Remove what does not belong. Set aside broken items, unwanted duplicates, and anything that belongs elsewhere. Return misplaced items to their proper homes.
  3. Group the keepers by purpose. Sort by what items are or how you use them, rather than putting unrelated odds and ends together. KonMariโ€™s guide recommends bringing miscellaneous belongings together for review and arranging related items in compartments: How to Organize a Komono Drawer.
  4. Choose storage to fit the space and contents. Measure the inside of the drawer or shelf, and check for handles, hinges, lids, or other obstructions before selecting an organizer. Make sure compartments suit the size and shape of the items. Tractor Supply Co.โ€™s small-item storage guide also recommends measuring the space before choosing storage.
  5. Return each group to its assigned spot. Keep categories together, and reassess the contents occasionally so the catchall does not become a catchall again.

Choose an organizer that suits the space

Small compartments or drawer dividers can keep related items together. The KonMari guide notes that โ€œSmall items that live in these kinds of komono drawers tend to jostle around every time the drawer is open and closed.โ€ The advice is practical: without boundaries, little objects can shift and mix as a drawer moves. See also IKEAโ€™s guidance on organizing kitchen cabinets and drawers.

For a drawer

Use a divided insert, adjustable dividers, or small containers that fit without wasting too much room. Household traysโ€”such as a muffin tin, ice cube tray, or makeup trayโ€”can serve as low-cost compartments if their size and shape work for the items. Extra Space Storage suggests these kinds of tray alternatives in its guide to decluttering common problem areas.

For a shelf or cabinet

Use grouped containers when a drawer is not available. Clear containers make contents visible; opaque ones keep them out of sight. IKEA discusses category grouping and transparent storage in its guides to pantry organization and cabinets and drawers.

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#1 Best Overall
IRIS USA 44-Drawer Small Parts Storage Cabinet, Crafts, Made in USA, Black
  • DIMENSIONS: Overall cabinet measures 19.5" L x 7" W x 15.5" H. Drawer sizes include large drawers (6.87" L x 4.31" W x 2.12" H) and small drawers (6.87" L x 2.12" W x 1.62" H) for organizing a wide range of small items
  • MADE IN USA: Manufactured in the USA using durable, recyclable materials for reliable, long-lasting storage.
  • MULTI-PURPOSE SMALL PARTS ORGANIZER: Perfect for organizing screws, nuts and bolts, electronics, craft supplies, beads, building bricks, tools, hardware, office supplies, and hobby materials.
  • STACKABLE OR WALL-MOUNTABLE DESIGN: Built-in grooves allow multiple cabinets to stack securely to save space. The unit can also be mounted on a wall for easy access to tools, hardware, and small parts.
  • 44 DRAWERS FOR PRECISE ORGANIZATION: Combination drawers allow you to categorize hardware, craft supplies, tools, and accessories for fast identification.

What to consider before choosing compartments

  • Available dimensions: Measure the interior and account for obstructions before choosing an insert or containers.
  • Item size: Compartments should hold the objects without crowding them or letting them slide between sections.
  • Visibility: Choose clear storage if seeing the contents matters; use opaque storage when you prefer to keep them out of sight.
  • Access: Keep frequently used items easy to reach. A lid may help contain less-used items, but can add a step when you need to retrieve them.
  • What you already own: A suitable household tray may work as well as a purpose-made organizer.

There is no single organizer that suits every drawer, shelf, and collection of small items. Start with the space and the groups you made, then choose compartments that fit both.

Best Value
Jack Boss Tool Box with Transparent Lid, Double Side 34-Compartments Organizer Box with Removable Dividers for Hardware, Screws, Bolts, Nails, Beads, Jewelry and Fishing Accessories, Orange, 2 Pack
  • Product Size: Outside size with 12.8 x 11 x 3.15 inch. Minimum compartment size: 2.56 x 2.36 inch. It is built to withstand the demands of rugged workstations and hobbyists alike.
  • Customizable Compartments: 34 compartmets tool with 24 removable plastic dividers are easily slide on and off to customize the storage space, for storing tools, bolts, screws, small parts, fishing tackles, crafts and many other items.
  • Double Sided: The tools box with unique detachable double side design offers oversize storage space, ensuring enough room for storing.
  • Transparent Lid: Made it easier to identify the tools or parts inside with a transparent lid, great for personal or professional use.
  • Warranty: It comes with limited 1-year manufacturer warranty. If you have any question, please feel free to contact us.
Rank #4
Sale
IRIS USA 64-Drawer Screw Organizer, Hardware Storage, Made in USA, Black
  • DIMENSIONS: Overall cabinet measures 7" L x 19.5" W x 15.5" H. Features 64 small drawers (6.87" L x 2.12" W x 1.62" H) designed for organizing tiny parts and accessories.
  • MADE IN USA: Manufactured in the USA using durable, recyclable materials for reliable, long-lasting storage
  • MULTI-PURPOSE SMALL PARTS ORGANIZER: Ideal for sorting screws, nails, electronics components, beads, charms, craft supplies, building bricks, hardware, and hobby materials
  • STACKABLE OR WALL-MOUNTABLE DESIGN: Cabinets can stack securely using built-in grooves or be wall mounted to keep tools and parts organized while maximizing workspace
  • 64 DRAWERS FOR PRECISE ORGANIZATION: Multiple small drawers allow you to sort and separate tiny items for easy identification and quick access
Rank #3
Sale
Drawer Organizer Craft Organizers and Storage with Dividers Labels Thicker
  • ๐“๐ฐ๐จ ๐๐ซ๐š๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ณ๐ž๐ฌ โ€“ ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐ฉ๐ž๐ซ๐Ÿ๐ž๐œ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ข๐ญ.Most drawer organizer units force you into one size. Not this drawer storage cabinet. We give you BOTH large and small drawers in the same tool organizer. Small compartments for screws, beads, and electronics. It's the ideal garage storage solution for mixed items. Itโ€™s perfect for hardware sorting, craft supplies, or classroom art materials.
  • ๐’๐ฉ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ-๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐๐ซ๐š๐ฐ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ + ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ + ๐ฅ๐š๐›๐ž๐ฅ๐ฌ โ€“ ๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ข๐ง๐œ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ž๐.Each drawer has rear stop tabs so they won't fall out when pulled. Every single drawer comes with dividers pre-installed โ€“ plus extras. You can sort nails, washers, and screws in the same drawer without mixing. Other storage cabinets doesn't even have divider slots. And we include 54 label stickers โ€“ so you know exactly what's in every drawer. This plastic drawer organizer has everything you need.
  • ๐’๐ญ๐š๐œ๐ค๐š๐›๐ฅ๐ž & ๐ฐ๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ-๐ฆ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐š๐›๐ฅ๐ž ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐๐ฐ๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐ข๐ง๐œ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ž๐.Built-in stacking grooves lock units together securely. Keyhole slots let you mount it on the wall. And unlike others, we include 6 screws โ€“ no extra trip to the hardware store. Whether you need garage organization or workshop storage, this garage storage cabinet saves floor space.
  • ๐…๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ ๐š๐ซ๐š๐ ๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐œ๐ซ๐š๐Ÿ๐ญ ๐ซ๐จ๐จ๐ฆ โ€“ ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง.This isn't just tool box storage. Use it as a bead organizer for jewelry making, a storage drawers unit for office supplies, or heavy-duty storage bins for hardware. We also include 54 organization and storage label stickers. Wipes clean easily. One unit. Every room.
  • ๐‘๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐ž๐ ๐›๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ง'๐ญ ๐œ๐ซ๐š๐œ๐ค ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฐ๐š๐ซ๐ฉ.Unlike flimsy plastic storage bins that crack in transit or warp under weight, our storage cabinet is made from thick, impact-resistant PP. We added 8 foam corners and shrink-wrap packaging โ€“ so your unit arrives intact. No more receiving broken drawers like others drawers buyers report.
Rank #2
Akro-Mils 44-Drawer Plastic Storage Cabinet, 20"W x 6"D x 16"H, Black
  • HEAVY DUTY CABINET WITH 44 DRAWERS: The small storage cabinet is made in the U.S.A. from rugged, high-impact plastic and measures 20" W x 6" D x 16" H; Organizer drawer external dimensions - 6" x 4-9/16" x 2-3/16" (large); 6" x 2-7/32" x 1-9/16" (small)
  • GARAGE ORGANIZATION: The small parts organizer is great for garages and workshops for both homeowners and businesses; The plastic storage drawers can be used as tool box, screw organizer or for battery storage; Keep nails and other small parts accessible
  • CLASSROOM ESSENTIALS: Teachers can use the stackable storage drawers for classroom organization; Use it as a teacher toolbox, art supply storage organizer, craft storage cabinet for scrapbook supplies, and more; Drawers are safe for polymer clay
  • HOME STORAGE AND ORGANIZATION: This plastic storage cabinet offers many uses around the home; It can be a lego storage organizer, craft organizer, or sticker organizer; Use it for makeup storage and organization or for medicine and first aid supplies
  • DIVIDERS & MORE FEATURES: Drawer dividers are included and molded into the back of the cabinet; Stack cabinets securely or use keyhole slots to for wall mounting; Finger-grip drawer pulls provide easy access; Rear stop tabs prevent contents from spilling

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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