Drawers have an uncanny ability to become belonging black holes, swallowing items and making us forget exactly what’s in them. The good news is there's a simple, colorful trick that can bring order to the chaos.
All you need is some colorful stickers, and you can instantly mitigate the frustrating, messy excavations that often come with losing something.
Here’s how this simple system works to optimize storage to avoid duplicates and streamline even the most chaotic of hidden household storage.
Why color-tagging items in drawers works
Originally suggested by Reddit user u/Pinstripedpangolin on the r/AuDHDWomen subreddit, the home organization tip is simple: ‘Anything that is black or comes in a black case gets a brightly colored sticker [available from Target] on it immediately so that I can find it in my drawers of doom or just on surfaces.
‘Cables get color-coded tape depending on what they are when they join the cable box. Anything tiny goes into an old cosmetics pouch, bag, or tin – again, the brighter the better. If I have to look for something for any duration of time, I will turn my place into a warzone and will probably leave it that way for the foreseeable future.’
Tiny tweaks to make a home more organized, such as a simple sticker system, is perfect for conquering the dreaded junk drawer, especially if you often find yourself tidying when you feel overwhelmed.
These super bright color-coding stickers can help items stand out in your storage and make matching categories of items (such as organizing cables and labeling them based on what they do) ten times easier, all without having to print or write out labels.
These drawer dividers are equipped with non-slip rubber pads at the ends, ensuring they stay in place and protect your drawers from scratches while maintaining order.
Lots of small items you need to group together? These bright bags are ideal for keeping items visible in drawers while improving organization.
Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, says, ‘While we might all aspire to having perfectly laid-out drawers where everything is on one level and is easy to find, that is not realistic for many busy households.
'Using colored stickers to highlight important items in busy home storage can be a game-changer, especially if you’re easily overwhelmed by visual clutter or want a quick, low-effort system. By keeping things simple and intuitive, you can cut the time it takes to find what you need in half, avoid costly duplicates, and stop clutter from building up.
‘This method helps you spot essentials at a glance without digging through overstuffed drawers or cabinets. It’s an easy way to bring order to chaos and sidestep that all-too-familiar frustration that comes with repeated, exhausting decluttering sessions.’
This simple trick works perfectly for drawers all over your home.
Functional organizing systems like these are one of the first things professional organizers notice in a home.
Meaghan Kessman, professional home organizer and owner of Meagan Kessman Home Organization, shares, ‘Another key element I notice is the presence of efficient and consistent organizational systems.
'From designated spots for keys and mail to color-coded filing systems and clearly labeled pantry items, these systems make everyday tasks smoother and more manageable. Consistent systems reduce the time spent looking for items and make it easy for everyone in the household to follow the same organizational rules.
‘Disorganized homes can learn a lot by implementing simple, repeatable systems that suit their lifestyle, making it much easier to keep things tidy and functional.’
This trick would be ideal for bedside drawers.
It doesn’t have to be limited to the things you should be storing in drawers, either. It can be used all over your home, including for organizing pantries or organizing refrigerators.
Nicole DeCarlo, professional organizer, owner of Simply Smart Solutions, and inventor of the BLD System, shares, ‘The BLD System uses color-coded labeled silicone liners to organize the food in your refrigerator by breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks.
'It simplifies organizing your fridge by the meal so you can zip through meal prep and slash your monthly grocery bills. My clients love finding their food faster and minimizing throwing away expired food.’
This set of five washable refrigerator liners for shelves is ideal for busy moms, heling them keep everything neatly divided and easy to fins. With fridge mats that are easy to clean, you'll also spend less time scrubbing and more time with your family.
Meet the experts
Meaghan Kessman Home Organizing is a full-service organizing firm based in Los Angeles, dedicated to creating beautiful spaces through organization.
Nicole created the BLD system to help busy moms simplify mealtimes, save money and stay organized while reducing food waste.
Tired of stressful storage that works against you? There are plenty of ways to simplify your home over a weekend.
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