My awkward kitchen drawers were a dire mess – $30 and 5 minutes later, even chefs would be jealous of the newfound organization

I cook and bake a lot – almost every meal and sweet treat is made from scratch. This ingredient-first lifestyle means that I have a lot of kitchen tools and utensils that I can’t part with, but my tiny kitchen makes them all tricky to store.

That’s why I could not resist snapping up these $30 adjustable drawer dividers from Wayfair in the sales, and now even pro chefs would be jealous of how organized my food prep space is.

It isn’t just me who loves this speedy kitchen storage saviour, either. I talked to professional organizers, and they wholeheartedly agree it's a great find.

These $30 drawer organizers made my tiny kitchen chef-worthy

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution for organizing kitchen drawers. Every drawer is different, and every home cook uses different tools. That’s why picking a one-size organizer is just not an option if you want to ace your food prep, especially when organizing a small kitchen.

That is why I opted for fully adjustable drawer dividers instead, especially as, living in a rental, I had to maximize kitchen storage without new cabinets.

The larger sections slot into the drawers either horizontally or vertically, with the smaller inserts then breaking up the long segments for smaller cubbies, perfect for those odd items such as measuring spoons, cookie cutters, and the small funnel I use to refill my countertop oil bottles (which are similar to the Magnolia Est. Oil Pour bottles, which look beautiful on my kitchen counter).

Because the ends of the dividers are rubber, the dividers stay securely in place and there is no risk of scratching or denting the inside my kitchen drawers, giving me peace of mind as a renter.

The best bit is that these customizable drawer dividers took less than five minutes to install.

With over 100 five-star reviews, I am not the only happy customer, either. Verified buyer Allison shared, 'I bought these to reorganize my drawers after a kitchen renovation. I loved them so much, I bought more. They're so versatile and look great – almost as good as something built in by the cabinet company.'

Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, also validates my sales splurge, saying, ‘Expandable drawer dividers are a must for keeping drawers structured and organized!’

Jamie adds, however, that this system works best if you work through a kitchen decluttering checklist first, saying, ‘If the kitchen is feeling packed, do an edit and only keep the best of the best. You might find that you don't need three sets of dinnerware or lots of mismatched flatware.’

Lauren Saltman, professional home organizer and owner of Living. Simplified. also agrees, sharing, ‘Bamboo drawer dividers are perfect if you have large drawers and your cooking utensils don't stay put, they instantly help keep your items organized.’

Adding in customizable storage to your kitchen wherever you can is the best way to make your kitchen ideas less stressful, she explains, adding, ‘Remember, the goal is to create a kitchen space that you enjoy being in, whether to prepare a meal or to eat. Take the time to declutter and organize your kitchen, and truly enjoy the cooking process and time spent with family and friends in your kitchen.’

As I did, Lauren recommends focusing on one area, such as your drawers, when organizing a kitchen to avoid tidying when you feel overwhelmed. She says ‘Organizing drawers in the kitchen is also a rewarding task. You don’t need to declutter all the drawers at once; sort out one drawer at a time.’

Drawer organizing essentials

Meet the experts

Jamie Hord

Jamie is a certified professional home organizer and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, specializing in decluttering and organizing. Alongside Horderly’s success, Jamie has become one of the world’s most recognizable professional organizers, having been in the likes of Homes & Gardens, Architectural Digest, NY Times, Good Housekeeping, The Today Show, Forbes, and more.

Lauren Saltman

Lauren is a professional home organizer who specializes in working with busy families and retirees. She empowers her clients to take control of their environments for increased confidence at home.

If you are feeling a little stuck on where to start when decluttering and organizing your kitchen drawers, try following the expert’s five-step kitchen drawer organizing rule to spruce up your storage like a chef.