Custom Fitting Drawer Organization Boxes

Everyone likes an organized drawer, but store-bought organizers and baskets don't always fit your drawer or suit your specific needs.

Here is a simple and inexpensive way of making paper boxes that fit your things and your drawer perfectly, just the way you like it. With some time and minimal effort you can make your drawer tidy and well organized so you will always know where something is (or if something is missing).

Step 1: Gather supplies.

What you'll need for this project:

- Thick paper, such as card stock, cardboard from cereal boxes, Bristol board or anything you have lying around that will support itself
- White Glue
- Measuring tape
- Ruler
- Craft knife (and cutting mat) or scissors
- Pencil and paper for planning

Comments

[instructamaker]

This actually makes me want to clean...... strange feeling (I usually hate cleaning) ; ^)

[Katie5757]

I use 2 litre icecream containers.. just the right depth.. but then I dont know if everyone has those.. ours are square with slightly rounded corners. works for me.. The trick is to have the whole drawer filled.. so do the cardboard thing to fill any gaps..

[sladek]

I used mini-roll boxes which are taped in place with masking tape in my Ikea Helmer drawer unit. You'll also see the tiny boxes made from old credit cards which I read about in another instructable.

[Lathien]

Nice! The credit card idea sounds cool. Thanks for the photo reply!

[Kevin12345]

Did you brek your craft knife?

[Lathien]

No, it has a rounded plastic cap on it.

[jbpitcher]

I have made drawer dividers that were very similar, except instead of making all the boxes I just saved a bunch of empty boxes. Cereal, crackers, all different sizes and shapes. Cut them the depth of the drawer and slide them around until you find the groupings that work for you. If you want to make the whole thing permanent add some glue and it is quite sturdy. If you want to finish it off to make it really neat, use decorative paper and Elmer's glue applied with a brush (Mod Podge like) Add a coat of polyurethane or varnish and it will last for years and resist stains. jbp

[popproject]

sketchup rules! nice use of a great program.

[Fieldownage]

Very nice project! But when I read the step 6, I figured out that if I hide non-daily thing below other boxes, there would be just one box on top of the others with just my hobby knife and two Leathermans. :D

[quesoman]

this is awesome.....im gonna start working as soon as my mom goes and gets me some card stock!!!!

[AznPanda]

T.T people would stop making fun of my messy desk if i had drawers! lol.. need drawers.. or something then i can do this. Right now im using random boxes and containers!

[mopsley]

This is gread idea. Thanks. Mopsley

[catarinac]

Hi there, very nice and tidy, I like it. May I take on your hint of improving on this work by suggesting you start with already made card-boxes ( at least where I live there are lots of them in every corner) and then fill the last gap with your technique. This may save you a lot of work and materials. Personally I like the colour and finish of plain cardboard, but you may wish to cover it with some material you don't have use for, like something you've printed and went wrong or something. Hope this is a valid contribute. I can say that this made me see the possibilities for doing it. I had tried this the other day but could not fill the entire space and I was not smart enough to thing of making the odd ones to fill my gaps. thank you for completing the solution for my problem.

[tadpoleman]

so simple and yet so effective

[whackpak]

I do this now for 4 months, I made it from some old plexiglass, I also use transparent boxes were they put the meat in at my supermarket.

[srilyk]

This is excellent! I may do this to start getting my stuff organized... I'm just a little messy :P

[jbchesnut]

Nice idea. You could apply shellac, clear acrylic, varnish, or other sealers to your boxes to bake them last longer and not get dirty easily.

[jbchesnut]

I meant to write "make them last longer" not "bake them last longer"

[aeray]

Super Anal Award!

[elkay]

this is awesome and so simple...why didn't i think of it? I have always just used whatever little boxes i could scrounge and they are never just right. Your instructions are easy to follow and i can't wait to get started. I signed up just so i could tell you how much i love this project!