We Asked the Experts: How Do You Keep Your Kitchen Organized?

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If you've ever opened your kitchen drawers only to discover a mess of utensils, linens, and random knick-knacks, then you know the importance of investing in good kitchen drawer dividers. Drawer and cabinet organization can be the difference between loving to cook in your kitchen and dreading every second of it because you can't find what you're looking for. But with so many options available, it's hard for the average shopper to determine what makes a kitchen drawer organizer truly great, which is why we asked the experts.

We chatted with Nicole Papantoniou, Director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and Eva Bleyer, a Home & Kitchen Appliances Reviews Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, to talk about what they look for when shopping for kitchen drawer dividers.

Before clicking "Buy Now" on your new kitchen drawer dividers, there are a few pieces of information you'll want to have on hand. For starters, you should know the dimensions of each kitchen drawer you want a divider for before purchasing. "The biggest thing to consider is the size of your drawer," Nicole says. "Take measurements before you shop and maybe even bring a measuring tape with you when you go shopping to double check."

Also, think beyond your kitchen drawer dividers just fitting. Try to get as close as possible to the dimensions of your drawer for a tight fit so you don't need to worry about slipping and sliding. "I like drawer dividers that don’t move around in your drawer and can at least keep your spoons, forks, and knives separate from each other with at least one overflow section," Nicole says. "If you have a bigger drawer, you’ll be able to consider dividers that separate your big and little forks, as well as your big and little spoons." But if you happen to get a little slippage, Eva has a genius tip for preventing it: double sided tape. "While some organizers have a no slide bottom, some don't, and it ensures that your organizers don't slide around at all when you close the drawer and helps keep items in place," she says.

Got plenty of drawer space to go around? Then you may consider upgrading to an expandable drawer organizer. "If you’re extra lucky and have a drawer that’s large enough to fit cooking utensils, you might want to consider a larger, expandable divider that allows for more customization," Nicole shares. These organizers allow you to retract or expand based on your needs at the time, something parents will surely appreciate.

And, with that, you're ready to shop! You can take a look at Nicole and Eva's picks below, as well as our favorite kitchen drawer dividers.

Adjustable Bamboo Organizers

This drawer divider set includes inserts for a totally customizable organization system. Simply slide the inserts into the notched slots of the dividers wherever you want to create a separate storage space. The durable bamboo is easy to clean, and this set even comes with a drawer liner included. Reviewers also love that these dividers are much taller than the competition, eliminating any worries of spillover.

You will want to note, though, that the springs on these drawer dividers are quite strong. While this won't be a problem for the vast majority of shoppers, a small handful of reviewers did mention the dividers damaging their drawers because of this.

Expandable Diagonal Bamboo Drawer Organizer

Looking to make the most of extra-small drawer space? Consider a diagonal divider. These organizers tilt your drawer's layout just enough to totally maximize every square inch of space. We love that this one is also expandable, in case you find yourself with more room than you originally thought.

Expandable Drawer Organizer

Even if you're not one of the lucky few who has large drawers, we're sure you'll still enjoy this expandable organizer. Not expanded, the two outermost sections disappear, leaving four vertical slots and two horizontal, still plenty of room to stash away all your silverware and more.

Kitchen Drawer Organizer Tray

Classic and clean is key when it comes to kitchen drawer dividers, which is why Nicole loves these organizers. They're slim enough to fit in tight New York City drawers but still provide plenty of space for small utensils (she prefers a counter crock for larger ones).

Drawer Dividers

Similar to the bamboo drawer dividers mentioned earlier, these aluminum ones are perfect for total customization of your kitchen. The dividers come in two different sizes and have tons of options when it comes to the number of pieces included, from two dividers to six dividers.

Knifedock

Eva's pick for her knife organization solution is this super handy in-drawer knifedock. The flexible cork and rubber composite dividers allow users to slide their knives in any slot when not in use.

Clear Plastic Drawer Organizer Set

You'll find uses far beyond your kitchen drawers for this organizer set. Made from clear plastic, they're perfect for stacking in a pantry too because you can see directly what's inside. We love them for drawers thanks to the non-slip bottom.

DrawerStore Compact Cutlery Organizer

Even the smallest of kitchen drawers can fit this cutlery organizer. The innovative design means that way more silverware can fit in this organizer that's about half the size of a traditional one.

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