The 7 Items Every Junk Drawer Actually Needs (And Why)
I have a love-hate relationship with my junk drawer. For years, it was just a graveyard for dried-out pens, random sauce packets, and keys to locks I probably don't even own anymore. It was stressful just opening it. But recently, I decided to overhaul it and realized that this drawer shouldn't be a trash can: it should be a command center. By clearing out the actual junk and keeping just a few high-value tools, this little drawer has become the most helpful spot in my entire house.
A Retractable Box Cutter
We all struggle with that impulse to use our house keys or a dull steak knife to open Amazon packages. It is dangerous and honestly just bad for your keys. Keeping a small retractable box cutter right in the front of the drawer changes the game entirely. It slices through packing tape like butter and saves you from sticky residue on your good scissors. Just make sure to always retract the blade before you toss it back in to save your fingers later.
Single-Use Superglue Packets
I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a big tube of superglue, used one drop to fix a mug handle, and then found the rest of the bottle dried up a month later. It is so wasteful. Now I only stock those tiny single-use tubes. They are perfect for those emergency repairs when a toy breaks or a sole peels off a shoe. You can use the whole tube once and toss it, which means you always have fresh glue ready when disaster strikes.
A Roll Of Blue Painter’s Tape
You might think this is only for painting rooms, but blue tape is actually the ultimate household labeler. Unlike masking tape, it peels off cleanly without leaving that gross sticky residue on your Tupperware or leftovers. I use it to label freezer bags, tape down loose cords, or even mark where a nail needs to go on the wall. It is bright, easy to tear with your hands, and solves a dozen little problems without damaging your surfaces.
A Simple Battery Tester
There is nothing more frustrating than playing the guessing game with loose batteries. We all have that pile of AA batteries rolling around, and we have no idea which ones are dead and which are fresh. A cheap little battery tester eliminates that anxiety instantly. You just pop the battery in and it tells you if it is good to go. It saves you from throwing away perfectly good batteries and from putting duds into your TV remote.
A Handful Of Furniture Sliders
I used to think these were only for moving day, but I find myself reaching for them constantly. If you need to retrieve a dog toy from under the sofa or vacuum behind the heavy dresser, these little discs are lifesavers. You just slip them under the corners and you can glide heavy furniture around by yourself without scratching the floor or hurting your back. Keeping a set of four in the drawer means you are always ready to rearrange or deep clean on a whim.
Pre-Moistened Screen Wipes
We live our lives on screens now, and somehow they are always covered in fingerprints and dust. I used to grab a paper towel, but that can actually scratch delicate glass. Having a stash of screen wipes in the junk drawer means I can safely clean my phone, glasses, or laptop monitor in seconds. It is one of those small luxuries that makes your daily-use tech feel brand new again, and they take up almost zero space.
A Stash Of Zip Ties
These little plastic straps are the unsung heroes of home organization. When a power cord is trailing all over the floor or a cabinet handle comes loose, a zip tie is often the quickest temporary fix. They are incredibly strong and can hold almost anything together in a pinch. I like to keep a few different sizes on hand. They are perfect for taming the mess of cables behind my desk or even securing a wobbly plant stake in my garden.
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It feels surprisingly good to open that drawer now and see tools that actually help me run my life instead of just a pile of clutter. It wasn't about getting rid of everything, but about being intentional with what I kept. I hope this list helps you turn your own junk drawer into a helpful little toolbox. You might find that when you have the right tools within reach, those little household annoyances aren't so annoying after all.
Bliss Donahue-Power
