If you were to ask an organization enthusiast about their opinion on deep drawers, their response would likely be mixed. They may not be able to answer it straightforwardly and start their reply with “well, it depends…”. Deep drawers can be incredibly useful in certain situations, so you cannot completely dislike them. However, more often than not, they tend to cause anxiety for organizers due to the wasted space they create.
During my childhood, the drawers in my bedroom were too shallow to effectively store anything other than underwear and socks. While I’m not complaining about it since some people don’t even have a dresser to store them, it became evident over time that deeper drawers can be advantageous if you know how to utilize the extra space efficiently. In this article, I will share the tips and tricks I’ve gathered for organizing clothing in deep drawers.
Use bins or dividers to split the drawers, with seasonal layers being the most effective approach. Use magazine holders to keep sweaters upright and in neat lines. For rolled items consider standing them in a honeycomb arrangement using PVC pipes. Another technique is creating hidden storage by incorporating false bottoms in the drawers. Enhance organization by creating a mini hanging rack using drawer dividers.
Split the Drawer into Seasonal Layers
To organize your deep drawer effectively, consider splitting it into seasonal layers. If the depth allows, invest in stackable bins and gather your seasonal clothing.
The concept is to store your winter clothing beneath your summer clothing (and vice versa), until the need arises for items from the next season. When that time comes, simply reverse the layers.
As per my preference, I prefer to wear long-sleeved shirts in winter, so I would keep them below my short-sleeved shirts. However, if you mix and match clothing during both seasons, you can divide the items more distinctly. For example, one bin can hold scarves, gloves, and beanies, while the other can store bathing suits, swimwear wraps, and covers.
Remember to treat the top bin as a drawer, ensuring that the bins have open tops, either in addition to or instead of having side openings.
Alternatively, you can opt for custom-made bins that perfectly fit your drawers. Prior to making a purchase, always take measurements to ensure an ideal fit for the storage bins within your drawers.
Non-Seasonal Split
Alternatively, you can use stackable bins to organize items that you frequently use or need throughout the year, regardless of the season. However, it’s important to consider your personal habits and preferences before going for this approach.
Before committing to a non-seasonal split, ensure that you know yourself well. It’s very important not to fall into the habit of simply stuffing everything into the top bin due to reluctance or lack of time to lift it and properly replace the clothing in its designated spot. This could result in disorganization and difficulty finding specific items when needed. Additionally, there’s a risk of neglecting or forgetting about the items stored in the bottom bins, leading to them being rarely worn or used.
Use Magazine Holders for Sweaters
When it comes to organizing clothes in deep drawers, sweaters often come to my mind. They can be quite large and bulky, making it challenging to keep them neatly arranged.
The ideal approach is to line them up in a way that the folded end faces upward, utilizing the vertical space within the drawer instead of occupying excessive horizontal space.
However, a common issue arises when you need to remove one or more sweaters from the drawer. Without a solution, the remaining sweaters may collapse and become disorganized, undermining the efficiency of utilizing the deep drawer space.
By placing one sweater per file holder, you can maintain an organized and upright position for each sweater.
Use PVC Pipe for Rolled Items
When it comes to utilizing the vertical space in a deeper drawer, rolling your clothing items and standing them upright can be an effective method. However, just like the issue with falling sweaters, maintaining the organization of rolled items can pose a challenge.
Fortunately, I have a solution for you. Consider purchasing PVC pipes, which are both affordable and readily available. Cut the pipes into tubes that match the depth of your drawers, creating compartments for each rolled item of clothing.
To ensure optimal storage, you can choose PVC pipes with diameters that correspond to the size of the rolled items. Using a wider pipe for a smaller roll may cause it to slide down easily. Matching the width of the pipe to the clothing items enables you to maximize the drawer space efficiently.
To ensure the success of this method, here are some additional tips to make it work best for you:
- Use a nonslip liner, such as the Gorilla Grip Original Drawer and Shelf Liner, inside the drawer beneath the PVC pipes. This will help prevent them from slipping and sliding around.
- Ensure that the PVC pipes are cut evenly at the bottom, providing a level surface. This will eliminate any wobbling or rocking, keeping the rolled items stable and secure.
- File the cut edges of the PVC pipes until they are smooth. This step is essential to prevent threads or rough edges from catching on the clothing when you place or remove items from the compartments.
- Paint the pipes to give them a more decorative appearance, especially if you prefer a less industrial look. Adding a touch of color or pattern can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your drawer organization system.
Create False Bottoms
To create additional storage space within your drawer, you can opt to install a false bottom. This technique helps you to divide the drawer into two sections: a functional upper portion and a hidden storage area below.
To learn how to create a false bottom, you can refer to the video provided below or explore other tutorials available online. However, it is my advice to avoid using the handle demonstrated in the video for your clothing drawer, as it may not be suitable.
When considering this method, keep in mind the following points:
- Use this approach only if your drawer is not deep enough to accommodate two functional bins. If you have multiple deep drawers, it is recommended to apply this method to one or two of them selectively.
- Reserve the hidden space beneath the false bottom for storing items that you need infrequently or items you specifically wish to keep out of sight, such as jewelry, gifts, important documents, or diaries.
- Utilize bins for organizing items placed above the false bottom. This arrangement ensures easier access to the hidden storage area, as removing the bins is more convenient and results in less untidy as compared to removing individual clothing items.
Use Drawer Dividers as Mini Hanging Racks
Transforming deep drawers into miniature hanging racks is possible and you can do it by utilizing drawer dividers.
While I admit that this solution may not be suitable for everyone, it can greatly benefit those with specific needs. I wanted to add it to this guide.
You need to place the drawer dividers widthwise along the drawer, aligning them parallel to the narrower side. Position them higher up in the drawer and at regular intervals according to your requirements. The more dividers you use, the more items you can accommodate, optimizing space efficiency.
Hang your clothing items over these dividers, similar to how you would hang them on a traditional hanger. This method works well for pants and skirts that lack space in your closet but are prone to wrinkling if folded excessively. Even a half or third fold is preferable to rolling or fully folding such items.
Additionally, this technique can be used to hang bras that require proper storage due to padding or other considerations that cannot be folded.
