I Showed a Pro Organizer My Messy Kitchen Drawer, and She Fixed It Instantly

I had been avoiding organizing the kitchen drawer that holds my pans for the longest time. Every time I opened it up to start cooking, I’d cringe a little inside and promise I’d take care of it. While I could see my pans easily, getting them out and putting them back in felt like a game of Tetris. This cycle went on until I realized that I was avoiding the task because I didn’t know exactly what to do to solve the issue. 

I knew I was in need of some specialized help, so I sent a picture of my messy pan drawer to Cara Palmer, professional organizer and creator of Organize Every Room. Here’s what she recommended I do to fix it.

Even though I had lots of pans in my drawer, I didn’t realize I wasn’t fully using the space in it. “Many people only use about 60% of their available drawer space,” Palmer explains. “By implementing a vertical divider system, you can store pans on their sides like files in a cabinet rather than stacking them.” For my small drawer, she recommended just using dividers, rather than combining them with stacking storage boxes. “This approach makes each piece visible and accessible while dramatically increasing storage capacity,” she adds.

Lids used to be the most frustrating element of pan storage for me. I’d just slot them in wherever they’d fit, which would make it difficult to find the right-size one when I needed it. “Installing an adjustable lid organizer along the side of your drawer creates a designated home for each lid,” Palmer says. “These organizers can be positioned alongside your vertical pan dividers in the same drawer.” I used the IKEA VARIERA Pot Lid Organizer, which can be customized to fit the length of the space.

My stainless steel and nonstick pans are all beautiful pieces (especially my beloved Our Place Always Pan!), so Palmer rightly suggested I protect the materials of them. “I recommend using pan protectors or using cloth napkins between stacked cookware to protect them.” she says. I went for cute and colorful napkins, which have not only added extra style to my drawer but are also a great way to prevent scratches and extend the life of the pans. 

While I was reorganizing my drawer, I came across a few pans that I knew I didn’t use anymore. “Most home cooks actively use only about 20% of their cookware,” Palmer explains. “By keeping just what you love and regularly use, you create breathing room that makes your kitchen workflow infinitely more pleasant.” I set aside a couple that I didn’t need and took pictures of them to send to friends and family to see if they’d like them instead (they did!). If they hadn’t wanted them, I would have listed them on Facebook Marketplace.

By adding strategic dividers and protectors, I transformed my pan drawer from a challenging jumble into a real joy to use. “The best organization systems are the ones you can easily maintain, even on your busiest days,” Palmer says. Even when I’m cooking up a storm, this space now stays pristine.