Professional organizers warn against having one, but the reality is most households will have at least one junk drawer, usually overflowing with items that don't have a true home or purpose.
However, experts say utilizing the junk drawer space by keeping 10 items they deem household essentials will help get you out of a mess, repair something vital, help you in an emergency or otherwise be smart to have to hand.
Organize your drawer and swap your junk for these vital items instead.
1. A flashlight
Perhaps the most essential item is a flashlight, but one that's got working batteries in and is ready for action.
'A dependable flashlight is a must-have for power outages or when you need to search in dark corners. Opting for an LED flashlight, like the Maglite LED Flashlight, ensures brightness and durability,' advises Andriy Boyko of A.O Handy Inc.
Make sure you have spare batteries on hand too. Andriy adds, 'Having a selection of batteries is crucial for powering devices like remotes and flashlights. Keeping a variety, such as Energizer batteries available on Amazon, ensures you’re never caught without power.'
It can also be worth getting in some candles and matches, just in case. This is especially important for rainy, storm, and hurricane season when power outages may occur.
2. Scissors
When you see that straggly thread hanging from your sleeve, or you're wrapping a gift last minute, scissors just the ticket.
'Scissors are incredibly useful for a variety of tasks, from opening packages to cutting tape,' says Andriy. 'A good pair with sharp blades and comfortable handles is essential.'
From basic soft grip designs that are ideal for general snipping like ribbons, tape, wrap and art paper, try Amazon's Bulk set of 5 which come in various different colors.
It's fine to have multiple scissors around the home as well, including with a sewing kit, first aid kit, wrapping supplies box, but having one in your junk drawer in a central space such as the kitchen means you always know at least where one pair is.
3. Notebooks
For when you need to quickly jot something down, a notebook is a great idea, it could be a pull off page pad or a beautiful notebook.
'I like to keep stationery, pens, and a notebook handy -they’re perfect for jotting down ideas, to-dos, or grocery lists when you’re on the go. Choose a compact notebook that fits neatly without cluttering. I also keep spare birthday cards and my address book in here,' says Holly Chapman, head of brand at Papier.
Another option is to keep your recipe book in your junk drawer – that way it's not cluttering up the countertop but somewhere safe and available for you to check something quickly when cooking.
Keeping a tear off notepad is handy for those unexpected calls when you need to take notes, or for shopping and to-do lists.
4. Superglue and glue guns
Superglue is a great option for fixing things that are plastic, ceramic, metal, wood, leather or vinyl. 'It's ideal for making quick repairs and strong bonds. Having a reliable option, such as Gorilla Super Glue, can be a real lifesaver for fixing broken items,' advises Andriy.
And if you're not too keen on potentially gluing your fingers to the countertop then keep a glue gun in your junk drawer instead. We love the stylish look of this model below and the metal rest feature is great for keeping the hot metal end of the glue gun away from your table or the surface you're glueing on.
For a mess-free option, a glue gun is easy to use and perfect for DIY crafts, repairing things like ceramic chips, toys and generally putting things back together. It's non toxic too which makes them a good eco option. Keep all glue guns away from children as the melted glue can cause second degree burns if a large hot dollop ends up on the skin.
5. A small screwdriver kit
If you don't already own a screwdriver set this is one of those useful purchases. It can be a mini version and you'll use it often.
Whether you are building flat packed furniture or fixing a loose outlet, a screwdriver set that's small enough to fit in your junk drawer will make your life easier.
'It is super helpful to have a screwdriver in your junk drawer. I would argue that you should have at least two – a Phillips and flathead. These are the two most common types of screwdriver head shapes that you’ll need, so you can tackle most DIY projects if you have both of them,' advises Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love.
All prices correct at time of publication.
Ideal for those at home jobs like tightening up your glasses or anything that requires a small, precision screwdriver. Best of all, it will fit perfectly into your junk drawer.
6. Tape
Duck tape, sellotape, parcel, double sided tape and all the other varieties you can buy will not let you down.
'Everyone needs some kind of tape in their junk drawer,' suggests Will Cotter, CEO of Happy Cleans. 'Whether it's fixing a tear in something, patching up a small break, or holding cords together, tape is a lifesaver.'
It's one of the things people with tidy homes always have in their kitchens.
Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy agrees, 'I can’t tell you how many times I need tape for random things – from hanging up paint samples on my walls, to fixing rips in paper, to wrapping packages, and more. It’s one of those things that you never really think about needing to buy but end up needing often, so having it in your junk drawer allows you to take care of whatever you need to take care of.'
Our top two favorite types of tape are Duck and good old clear sellotape, both available at Walmart. If you've got them in your drawer, you'll be well equipped. Duck tape is great for heavy-duty fixes, while clear tape is perfect for lighter more every day sticking.
7. Spare keys
Drawer dividers are a great way to organize your junk drawer and will at least keep it from becoming the drawer of doom – which we've all experienced!
Keep a section for spare keys – the ones for the window locks that always get mislaid in various rooms, the spare car keys, the padlock key for the out building...
For a beautiful looking junk drawer, we love deVOL Kitchens' divided drawer design shown above.
8. Zip ties and string
This is one essential you might not have thought of to keep in your junk drawer, or home, but one that can be very useful to have around: a small stash of zip ties.
'These are like the Swiss Army knife of fasteners. They’re perfect for quick fixes – securing a broken zipper, tidying up cables, or even temporarily repairing a fence panel until you can get a proper fix,' says Jenny He, home improvement expert and CEO of Ergeon. 'I’ve used zip ties in countless situations where a more permanent solution wasn’t immediately available, and they’ve never let me down.'
They come in different lengths and colors too, so there's a bit of choice when you buy them. If you do buy short ones you can join them together to make one long one – win win! Amazon's TR Industrial 100 multi-purpose UV resistant black cable ties, 8 inches, are a good value buy.
For the same reasons as needing zip ties, string is also a good option to have tucked away in your junk drawer, opt for Walmart's Hyper Tough 190' jute twine in natural, it's ideal for tying up things inside and out.
9. Small sewing kit
A small sewing kit will save your life more than you think – that button that's popped off the duvet, the small hole in the living room blanket, or the tear made by the cat in the left drape.
'A mini sewing kit also deserves a spot in the drawer,' says Jenny. 'Having a needle, a few threads, and some spare buttons can save you a trip to the tailor or the annoyance of a loose strap. In outdoor projects, I’ve even used sewing kits to make small repairs on outdoor furniture fabrics.'
This 30-piece set contains the sewing essentials you need including a tape measure, 20 hand needles, seam ripper, needle threader, five colored thread spools, a matching pin cushion and some scissors, all in a neat storage case that will fit easily into your junk drawer.
10. Safety pins
Another extremely useful item to have in your junk drawer. Just make sure you invest in strong ones such as the Fiskars craft safety pins at Target as it's a nuisance trying to fix something quickly with a bendy safety pin.
'Safety pins are the ultimate tiny problem-solvers. From fixing a wardrobe malfunction to temporarily securing a broken zipper or button, they can come in handy at the most unexpected moments,' says Will Cotter. 'Keeping a few in your junk drawer means you’re prepared for those little emergencies that pop up out of nowhere.'
It's always worth having an assorted pack of safety pins so you have a size that will suit your needs. This 40 pack of safety pins is made from stainless steel and comes in three sizes, 2", 2.5" and 3".
Meet our experts
Andriy started his masonry career more than twenty years ago, initially employed by a masonry company. Eventually, he took a leap of faith by establishing his own business while managing family responsibilities. The name “handy” in A.O. Handy Inc originated from his early work in handy work and masonry.
As the head of brand at cult stationery brand Papier, Holly brings over 13 years of experience in PR, brand building, and social, community and content strategy to the role. She is passionate about storytelling and is well-versed in finding the balance between building brand equity, leveraging community, and creating campaigns that weave the Papier brand into contemporary culture.
Lawn Love was launched to revolutionize the traditional lawn care industry and pairs extensive technology knowledge with industry expertise.
Will Cotter is the CEO of Happy Cleans, an Oklahoma-based home cleaning company that offers one-off, regular, and deep cleans. On top of that, he also manages the operations of its sister companies across a growing list of territories including Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Louisville, Jacksonville, Columbus, Detroit, and Cleveland.
As the CEO of Improovy, an on-demand home improvement service platform, I have been leading the vision, strategy, and execution of the company since 2019. Improovy is a next-gen house painting service created by a team of industry experts. We make life easy for professional painters so they can do incredible work for homeowners.
Jenny He is a licensed contractor, home improvement and landscaping expert, and the co-founder & CEO of Ergeon, an outdoor construction company powered by a skilled workforce and cutting-edge technology. Thanks to her knowledge of the construction industry and computer science, Jenny pioneered proprietary technology that instantly lets customers design 3D project renderings online.
There you have it. Ten brilliant essential items to keep in your junk drawer. Next, explore our ultimate decluttering tips packed with expert ideas to streamline your home and storage spaces.
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