So a few weeks ago I posted a photo on facebook of my DISASTROUS kitchen utensil drawers asking for any ideas on organization. In defense of my drawers I really like to cook and so kitchen utensils are a natural (and much appreciated) Christmas gift. Plus, having hoards of utensils is in my genes. My mother has a minimum of 50 rubber scrapers (you think I’m kidding, but it is the honest truth). They sit in a huge crock next to the stove. I will admit, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and I am on track with sixteen. Yes, you read that correctly, sixteen (1-6). And my stash doesn’t stop at that. I also have a slew of spoons, whisks and miscellaneous (yet essential) tools that help make cooking fun!

Check out the smiley face, green spoon. Who wouldn’t love cooking with a spoon that smiles back at you?!?!

Having messy drawers doesn’t bother me except for the fact that I can never find the tool that I need. I spend a lot time searching for the particular tool that will do the job. After my facebook plea for help a few people posted links to some Pinterest options, but none that were particularly practical for me. I did have two friends post helpful photos and each was a different version of dividers. But the most helpful post came from my mother-in-law volunteering my father-in-law to make me dividers. YAY!

I wasn’t expecting the dividers until Christmas, but instead, I was rewarded when they came up to visit last weekend. Check out my amazing drawers now!

The design is simple and is made from pieces of trim (like the kind you would trim a door with). The trim is the perfect height (for my drawers at least) so all you need to do to make your dividers is to cut the pieces to length and nail-gun them together. The divider isn’t attached to the drawers in anyway so there is no fear of breaking your drawers. The dividers have 2 support beams going from side to side (one in the back and one in the front) and then the 2 divider pieces going from front to back. Another benefit of using the trim is that it is finished wood and matches my cupboards perfectly. You can find the trim at any home improvement store. Many stores will even cut the pieces for you if you have your drawer measurements.

Here is a photo of just the divider. A very simple design, and oh-so-perfect!

A photo of my empty drawer (after I wiped out the crumbs!) before the divider was slipped in.

My drawer with divider slipped in.

I was a little worried about how realistic it would be to keep the drawers organized when putting dishes away. Especially because my kids like to help put the utensils away and they also like to play “cooking” with my tools. I can say that I have been pleasantly surprised. Right after we organized the drawers I had a conversation with my kiddos (ages 2 and 3.5) and told them that if they took a tool out, they needed to make sure to put it with its “matcher”. Putting the utensils away has turned into more of a game and is a win-win for all of us!