Wait, Have We Been Storing Our Flatware Wrong This Whole Time?

Every once in a while, a viral trend comes along that makes us collectively turn into the "mindblown" emoji. We all do things in our homes that are considered commonplace, even if we’re doing them wrong. And, as we’ve recently learned on TikTok, we may have been storing our flatware wrong.

A series of videos have been floating around showing users laying their flatware side by side—never on top of each other. So, we had to know: does this look like a great idea because it’s new to us? Or is this actually the correct way to store our forks, spoons, and knives? 

Naturally, we turned to organizing experts to find out.

Before you rush out and redo your utensil drawer, Heather Aiello, the CEO and founder of The Organized You, says it isn't so straightforward. While it looks great, her key concern is that laying your utensils side-by-side might not be easy to maintain—and it really only works if everyone you live with is on board with it, too.

“Once you remove a piece of flatware, the rest starts to fall over,” Aiello says. “When there are multiple people living in a household and washing dishes, you want to be able to put the items away.”

Other Tips Worth Considering

According to Marcela Valladolid, cleaning ambassador at Ensueño Laundry and Pinalen, the plain and simple answer is yes, this is exactly how she recommends storing her flatware. But it’s not just the positioning that caught her eye—in user Yemi of i.am.yemi’s video specifically, there are other key elements that she thinks we should all focus on. 

Laying down a felt sheet could be a great idea to keep any of the utensils from sliding. If you prefer not to use felt, Valladolid says cork is another great option.

Organizing Is About Maintenance, Too

As Aiello notes, creating a great flatware storage system isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about maintenance, too. So, if you prefer storing it side-by-side rather than stacking it, go for it.

“Organizing is about creating systems that are easy to maintain for everyone who uses them,” she says. “For 99% of households, function is way more important than form.”

Because of this, Aiello says everyone should do what makes the most sense for their needs. “My goal with my clients is to create a system so that I never have to return to their house again with the same issue,” she says.

If that means side-by-side flatware, then that’s what you should do—but for the record, Aiello stores her own utensils stacked on top.

This Method Could Cause a Space Issue

While stacking your flatware might be tricky if your drawers aren’t deep, side-by-side storage might cause a problem, too.

“If someone has too many pieces of flatware, it may not fit in the space allocated to store them side by side,” Aiello says.

If neither option is working for you because of space, it might be time for a purge. Aiello suggests first, throwing away any flatware that doesn’t match, and keeping one size for all your forks, spoons, and knives.

“Limit the quantity to the realistic number of place settings needed,” she says. “If you have special occasion flatware, I recommend storing it in a container elsewhere in the home.”

However You Lay Flatware, Use a Drawer Organizer

Along with the felt sheet, Valladolid says the other key element in these videos is using a drawer organizer, which she calls a must-have. These are going to be unique to the size and shape of your drawers, but Valladolid notes that the organizers take up their entire drawer.

“That will make for a much more organized drawer over time, especially since it’s a drawer you’ll be opening so much,” she explains.

Both experts highlight the importance of an organizer that ensures every type of utensil has its own, dedicated home spot. “Even if the flatware is thrown and not placed tidily in the drawer, at least it is in the proper place and the items are still organized in compartments,” Aiello says.

Valladolid says that she really recommends using a sharp knife compartment. “This is optional, but can be a good option if you’re looking to save counter space by getting rid of the traditional knife block,” she says. 

Ultimately, It's Your Preference

As with any home hack, this one comes down to personal preference. While it might be appealing to go with the trends or pick the method you think looks the best, go with what actually functions most for you and your household.

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