These are the 9 things professional organizers reveal you should be storing in drawers, but probably aren't – relocating them will bolster functionality

Drawers are one of the best ways to store belongings, keeping them neat, out of the way but still accessible, and, most importantly, hidden. That being said, there are nine items professional organizers say you probably aren't storing in drawers, that you definitely should be, including active wear and accessories.

Here, they reveal why drawer storage ideas are ideal for stowing away the unexpected around your home.

9 things you should be storing in drawers but probably aren't

1. Dish towels

Most kitchens will feature a dish towel hanging from the oven for convenience, but professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized, Di Ter Avest, says, for those that aren't currently being used, your drawers are the best place for them.

'They stay dust-free, and are easier to access than when stacked on a shelf,' she explains. 'Rolling them instead of folding can help maximize space.'

Towel storage is one of the things organized people have in their kitchens, so use drawer dividers, such as the Mainstays White Fabric Drawer Organizer Set available at Amazon, to keep everything organized.

Alternatively, you can also add hooks to the doors of your cabinets, such as the Mainstays Single Satin Nickel Hooks available at Walmart as a space-saving way to use vertical storage while keeping dish towels neatly organized.

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Activewear

As Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, points out, 'Drawers are good for when it doesn't matter what you take out.'

That's why clothing like underwear and socks works well in drawers, particularly if you perfect how to organize an underwear drawer. 'Other clothing items that work well in drawers are swimsuits and workout gear,' he adds.

One of the best ways to organize drawers in your bedroom is by using the file folding method, which Marie Kondo swears by. This keeps everything accessible and easily identifiable at a glance.

3. Knives

When storing knives, safety is paramount. And, if you know anything about kitchen knife feng shui, you'll know that, when it comes to kitchen storage ideas, they're best kept in drawers.

Robyn Reynolds, certified professional organizer and owner at Organize2Harmonize, advises, 'Keeping them in drawers clears up space on the counters, which makes them look less cluttered. I love the KNIFEdock Small Bamboo In-Drawer organizer available at The Container Store, since they can hold many knives, and are easy to use.'

As cleaners say knife blocks are the dirtiest thing in your kitchen, there are plenty of reasons you should get rid of yours right now. Why not try keeping them in a drawer instead?

4. Jewelry and sunglasses

As Jennifer Williams, founder and CEO of Saint Louis Closet Co., says, 'Most of us have experienced the frustration of tangled necklaces or misplaced earrings,' and understand the annoyance of dealing with the aftermath.

To avoid this and organize jewelry properly, she recommends, 'Instead of letting your precious accessories live in a jumbled dish or box, consider investing in a velvet-lined drawer organizer,' such as the Premium Grade Beige Velvet Jewelry Organization Tray available at Amazon. 'This simple addition will not only protect your jewelry from damage but will also keep each piece separated and easy to access. No more frustration over missing earrings or tangled chains!'

Similarly, sunglasses often present a similar organizational dilemma. 'Sunglasses and eyeglasses also benefit from this type of organized storage,' adds Jennifer. 'By keeping them in a divided, drawer-based system, you prevent scratches and preserve their integrity, ensuring they stay in pristine condition when you need them most.'

5. Food storage bags

While there are so many great and surprising uses for Ziploc bags around your home, is there anything worse than trying to keep them organized?

For this, professional organizer Robyn recommends using in-drawer organizers, such as The Container Store Bamboo Plastic Bag Organizer Set available at The Container Store. She says, 'These organizers are very useful since they are individual, and can be configured in a multitude of ways. Keeping the plastic bags in these organizers also makes the bags easier to use, more accessible, and keeps them neat.'

And, for something a little different, next time you go on holiday, why not use your food storage bags for this genius packing hack which is the perfect way to organize your suitcase, packing by outfit to keep everything neat and make packing a breeze.

6. Scrunchies

Scrunchies are a quick and easy to put your hair up, but, as professional closet organizer Jennifer points out, 'With their bulky texture, they can easily create clutter when tossed around the house.'

So, following the home organizing golden rules, Jennifer suggests storing these trendy hair accessories in a shallow drawer organizer with small compartments, such as the BY ALEGORY Acrylic Hair Accessory Organizer Storage available at Amazon, which keeps them neatly in place and visible at a glance.

'Not only does this method prevent the scrunchies from getting lost in the bottom of a deep drawer, but it also helps maintain their shape and elasticity,' she continues. 'By storing them in an organized system, you can quickly access the scrunchie you need while keeping your vanity or bathroom countertop free from clutter.

'Whether you’re storing a collection of vibrant colors or a few neutral-toned pieces, a dedicated drawer space ensures your scrunchies stay tidy and ready to add that perfect pop of style to your hairstyle.'

7. Pots and pans

All too often, opening a cupboard filled with pots and pans can result in a cascading mess, making organizing pots and pans even more difficult. While there are plenty of pan storage ideas to fix this, professional organizer Di recommends keeping them in drawers.

She explains, 'They fit well in large drawers, because they're easy to access without having to unstack them like you would in a cabinet. Using peg organizers or adjustable dividers can keep them from shifting.'

This is something that Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved here at Homes & Gardens recently tried, concluding that her peg board organizer streamlined her messy pans. Her specific model is the Umbra Peggy Kitchen Cupboard Shelf and Drawer Organizer Tray available at Amazon.

8. Men's ties

Organizing belts and ties should be simple – they're small, foldable and easy to roll up. But, throwing them into a cupboard can often result in a tangled mess.

Closet organizer Jennifer says, 'For many men, the tie collection can easily become a chaotic mess of colors and patterns, particularly if they don’t wear them frequently.

'Instead of allowing them to get wrinkled and stretched in an overcrowded closet, a velvet-lined drawer divider is the perfect solution. These dividers ensure that each tie is kept in pristine condition, preventing any unwanted creases while preserving the fabric.' We recommend using the Frebeauty Velvet Organizer Trays available at Amazon for this, as they are stackable and fully adjustable.

'With a neatly organized drawer, you can see your entire collection at once – making it much easier to choose the perfect tie without the frustration of digging through a pile,' continues Jennifer. 'Additionally, this minimalist approach helps reduce clutter, keeping your closet or dresser neat and streamlined.'

9. Plates

Finally, professional organizer Di suggests organizing plates in the kitchen by storing them in drawers. 'This can be a game-changer,' she says. 'Unlike high cabinets, they're easier to reach, and plate organizers can keep them upright and secure.'

For example, the Dish Rack for Kitchen Countertop Organizer available at Walmart can be popped in a drawer for stacking plates, with easy carry handles for convenient portability. According to organizational pros, plates are one of the items never to store on kitchen shelves, so this keeps them accessible while protecting them from chipping and damage.

Meet our experts

Ben Soreff

House to Home Organizing focuses on helping clients take back control of their space, and has been featured in Forbes, Architectural Digest, Livingetc and more.

Di Ter Avest

In her time as a professional organizer, Di has helped hundreds of clients rethink their relationship with clutter with clever hidden storage ideas, including drawer systems and accessories.

Robyn Reynolds

Robyn has been a certified organizer since 2008, with over 16 years of experience. She is also a long-standing member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals.

Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams has been a leader in custom, space-saving solutions for over 34 years, with significant expertise in crafting functional and stylish storage systems has transformed homes by bringing order, elegance, and efficiency to even the most challenging spaces.

If you want to turn around your drawer organization, investing in the things people with organized drawers always have makes it easy to keep your house in order.