I Put a Kitchen Drawer Organizer on My Wall, and It Was Brilliant

There are some kitchen items that I’m used to replenishing, like dish soap and sponges. And then there are other tools I’ve become resigned to replacing, like my favorite meat thermometer that stops working if it gets wet or the strawberry huller that’s somehow ended up in the disposal more than twice.

But there are certain kitchen workhorses that I assumed would last forever, like my trusty cutlery organizer (I purchased it so long ago, but this Amazon one looks similar to it). Recently, though, I noticed one divider had come loose (which makes it useless for corralling utensils). I hadn’t gotten around to buying a replacement, so it just sat in the drawer — until I came across this Apartment Therapy organizing hack and realized my old organizer could have a brand-new purpose.

I already use vertical storage throughout my home (like these wall-mounted hanging produce baskets), but I’d never thought to give the same treatment to a drawer organizer. As Christina Dennis demonstrates on her blog, Cozy DIY Home, a cutlery tray makes an unexpectedly perfect wall-mounted jewelry station. The compartments are ready-made for sorting delicate pieces, and the narrow shape fits in small spaces like a closet or bathroom nook. 

Because mine was made of mesh, it was super easy to hang; I just hammered a couple of sturdy nails through the metal. I mounted it on an inner wall in my closet to make use of some dead space and used a few extra nails for hanging necklaces and bracelets. The best part? I discovered I could hang my dangly earrings directly through the mesh — no hooks needed. (If you’re using a bamboo or acrylic organizer, a few adhesive hooks or push pins would work just as well.)

Having my jewelry displayed vertically feels surprisingly luxe, and it’s encouraged me to actually wear it more often. The compartments are a little deep for dainty chains, but I’ve found that just slowing down while grabbing pieces helps. I might even spray-paint the organizer gold or white to blend in with the walls — and maybe add a few small perfume bottles on top for a finishing touch.

Overall, I’m delighted with my repurposed storage, and the joy that comes from turning something that was destined for the trash into something functional. 

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: I Put a Kitchen Drawer Organizer on My Wall, and It Was Brilliant