Organize with one drawer and traydaily

This is a daily space routine that lightens everyday life. Use “Organize with one drawer and tray” to build a more wellness-friendly home or desk.

Drawers are synonymous with ‘just put things in’. Band-Aids, batteries, power strips, nail clippers—if you mix small items in one compartment, you'll end up flipping them over to the bottom when you need them. The one-tray system involves creating a small room inside a drawer.

The ‘one drawer’ that POKIT refers to is not the entire drawer in the house, but the one drawer that is opened most often. Under kitchen counters, entryway consoles, nightstands—start with places you reach at least once a day.

If things are mixed up every time you open a drawer, even small tasks drain your energy. A tray is the cheapest device to stop that leak.

Plastic trays are easy to clean and fit especially well in kitchen drawers.

If you see the same thing every time you open the drawer, you'll end up having to look for it.

How trays create borders

If you place a plastic tray or small basket inside a drawer, items will collect inside the tray. Leave the bottom of the drawer outside the tray empty. If you take out the entire tray, you can see everything inside at a glance.

The appropriate tray size is about two-thirds of the drawer. If it is too full, it is difficult to put in, and if it is too small, it is meaningless to classify. A shallow tray of about 5cm in depth is suitable for organizing small items.

Just fit in one space

In the tray, place only 10 or less ‘frequently used items in this drawer’. In the kitchen, a timer, measuring spoon, scissors, and opener. For the front door, tape, postal stamp, and power strip. If there are more than 10 items, send them to another drawer.

Place the items in the tray in one layer, not standing vertically, but lying down. If they overlap, the items below will be forgotten. If it's one layer, you can pick it up from above when taking it out.

Serenity after closing the drawer

Once the tray system is in place, you will see the same view every time you open the drawer. The time spent looking for it decreases, and the thought of ‘where was it?’ decreases. A little order can prevent many small stresses in your day.

When expanding to other drawers, only do one at a time. Once the kitchen is stable, the entrance room is set in order, and organizing becomes a habit.

Whenever there are more than 10 items in the tray, choose what to send out of the drawer. The capacity limit of one compartment actually preserves order.

Place a non-slip mat on the bottom of the tray to prevent items from scattering every time you take them out. Small details make it last longer.

One drawer, one tray—a small system prevents big clutter. Start with the drawer you open most often today.

2 seconds to take out the tray replaces 2 minutes to turn it over and look for it.

A single order saves the day many times.