To come up with this list of the best utensil organizers, we thoroughly researched the market and narrowed down the options based on type (like a drawer tray or countertop crock), material, and compartments. For expert tips on how to organize utensils and silverware, we spoke to Anita Fortes, professional organizer and founder of A Neater Life. The first step to getting your utensil drawers organized, according to Fortes, is having a good old-fashioned declutter. Once you’ve gotten rid of anything you haven’t used in the last year, then you should shop for an organizer that works in your existing space. For example, if drawers are limited, she suggests trying “a wall-hanging option that can make use of often underutilized wall space while keeping valuable drawer and counter space free.” Our top pick is the Oxo Good Grips Expandable Utensil Organizer, which can hold both flatware and utensils in its five spacious compartments. It also has convenient dividers that are adjustable and removable to best fit your utensils. Here are the best utensil organizers to store your kitchen tools. Who it isn’t for: People who want a dishwasher-safe utensil organizer. As our top pick for the best utensil organizer, this expandable option from Oxo does it all. This plastic utensil organizer has three small compartments for silverware, including separators to keep knives, forks, and spoons neatly collected (instead of clashing together every time you open the drawer). There’s another compartment at the top that’s ideal for items like can openers and peelers, while a large section opens from the side for long-handled utensils. Because it’s expandable, you can adjust the large side compartment from 9.75 to 16 inches wide to add more storage capacity as needed. These compartment separators are also adjustable, which means you can accommodate utensils of different sizes or move them wherever is convenient for you. You can even remove the dividers altogether if you prefer open compartments. The utensil tray has non-slip grippy feet on the bottom so that it stays in place while opening and closing the drawer. As for cleaning, you can simply wipe this organizer down with a cloth—but note that it’s not dishwasher-safe.
Size: 15.25 x 9.75–16 x 2.5 inchesMaterial: PlasticCompartments: Five
Who it isn’t for: People with large drawers who prefer one unit to cover the whole space. You can keep your cutlery drawer nice and organized without breaking the bank thanks to the Stödja Utensil Tray from Ikea. Able to fit in even the smallest kitchen drawers, this affordable, two-compartment tray can house a few of your basic kitchen utensils. Though not designed for large drawers (it’s meant for ones that are 18 inches wide), people with more space to fill can opt to buy three or four of these and place them side-by-side. The price for multiple units still ends up being much cheaper than one large utensil tray from some other brands. If you find that this tray is too small, Ikea is always one step ahead: There are a few bigger utensil trays in the same collection that might be more suitable. For example, there’s this flatware tray that has six spacious compartments for just a couple more dollars.
Size: 19.75 x 6.25 x 1.75 inchesMaterial: PolypropyleneCompartments: Two
Who it isn’t for: People who want to store large utensils, like spatulas and ladles. We’re big fans of Joseph Joseph’s ingenious range of kitchen items, and this space-saving silverware organizer is one of our favorites. As the cleverest cutlery holder on this list (and, arguably, on the market), the Joseph Joseph DrawerStore can fit in even the tiniest kitchen drawers because it measures just under 4.5 inches in width. Its innovative design stacks your knives, forks, and spoons on a slight angle, which helps make use of every inch of your drawer space. The DrawerStore has five compartments that can hold up to 24 items of flatware in total, so it’s ideal for smaller households (unless you want to put several of these side-by-side in a larger drawer). The organizer is made from durable, non-slip, BPA-free plastic, and you can wash it in the sink with the rest of the dishes. It’s extremely lightweight and comes in a minimalistic gray color.
Size: 15.6 x 4.33 x 2.25 inchesMaterial: PlasticCompartments: Five
Who it isn’t for: People who are looking for an organizer to store everyday cutlery, too. Madesmart’s containers are clever, well-made, and recommended by Fortes, the professional organizer we spoke to. We especially like this large utensil tray, which has three compartments for even the longest utensils like soup ladles and pancake-flipping spatulas. Each section is lined with non-slip rubber that keeps the tools in place, and there are also feet to keep the tray from sliding around in your drawer. The tray has rounded corners, which makes wiping it clean effortless since crumbs won’t be able to get stuck in the corners. All in all, this utensil tray is a high-quality item that is built to last. We also appreciate that Madesmart is a women-owned company that was born out of a need to declutter the infamous junk drawer that everyone seems to have. There are plenty of other helpful drawer organizers available, including container bins (a favorite of Fortes), an in-drawer knife mat, and various silverware trays.
Size: 16 x 13 x 1.87 inchesMaterial: BPA-free plasticCompartments: Three
Who it isn’t for: People who are looking for a wall-mounted or countertop organizer. If you have large kitchen drawers with plenty of open space, we suggest opting for this expandable cutlery organizer from Seseno. With the ability to expand to up to 24 inches in width, this organizer will keep your flatware and utensil drawer looking neater than ever. It features eight compartments: five short and narrow ones for flatware and three large ones for long-handled utensils. This tray has a lot of storage space, and even the small slots can fit around 16 pieces of flatware each. It’s lightweight, durable, and easy to clean by hand. Not only does this organizer give all your kitchen tools a home, but it also keeps them in place thanks to the non-slip gray lining in each compartment. The tray itself also has grippy feet, which is essential for drawer utensil organizers. And if you prefer to keep your everyday silverware and large kitchen tools separate, the brand also offers an expandable tray with five large compartments designed for spatulas, ladles, and more.
Size: 16 x 13–23.75 x 2 inchesMaterial: PlasticCompartments: Eight
Who it isn’t for: People who want an organizer with a non-slip lining. This attractive utensil organizer from Utoplike is made entirely from natural bamboo, and, although it’s slightly costlier than some of the other options on this list, its high-quality craftsmanship and durable build are evident. The sliding mechanism, which is what extends the organizer, slides out smoothly to reveal two hidden compartments, giving it a total of five roomy sections to house utensils of all shapes and sizes. The large compartments and lack of a non-slip lining make this organizer less suitable for storing flatware, but this doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker if you’re loving the bamboo aesthetic as much as we are—you could always add your own. While this pick can be cleaned with a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth, you probably shouldn’t run it under a tap (even though the description says it’s waterproof) because too much contact with water could damage the natural material.
Size: 17 x 13–21.6 x 2 inchesMaterial: BambooCompartments: Five
Who it isn’t for: People with small drawers under 13.5 inches in length. For anyone with large, cluttered kitchen drawers, a small utensil organizer just won’t cut it. You need a more customized solution to get spacious drawers in shape, and these bamboo dividers from Royal Craft Wood are a great solution. They can separate your drawers into as many compartments as you see fit, depending on how many sets you purchase. (Each set includes four dividers that are made from 100 percent bamboo.) Plus, the dividers extend up to 16 inches in length so you can make sure they fit snugly in your drawers. The ends of these dividers have built-in foam padding to keep your cabinetry safe and damage-free, and, though they do a good job of staying put once you install them, they’re easy enough to take out and rearrange if needed, thanks to their spring-loaded design. These dividers are excellent for organizing utensil drawers, but you can also use them for sorting out your plates, towels, and all the other items in your drawers. And if your home has extra large drawers, you may want to purchase the larger version that extends from 17 to 22 inches instead.
Size: 13.5–16 x 2.5 inchesMaterial: BambooCompartments: Four dividers (which make five compartments)
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want their utensils displayed on the counter. This stainless steel utensil organizer from Oxo isn’t just any old crock. The best aspects of this particular unit are that it has three compartments to separate and organize up to 15 large utensils and that it smoothly rotates for easy access. The high-quality container has a grippy, contoured rubber base that is designed to stay upright and make it less likely to tip over (and therefore spill your utensils all over the place). There are even little groves in the base for the utensil handles to nestle into, which keeps them standing straight at all times. We also like that this pick is super easy to clean. If tomato sauce happens to splatter all over this unit while you’re cooking, you can simply pop the whole thing in the dishwasher and it’ll look good as new.
Size: 5.25 x 5.25 x 6.25 inchesMaterial: Stainless steelCompartments: Three
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want their utensils on display. Not everyone has the luxury of roomy kitchen drawers for storing utensils. One smart solution is this wall-mounted organizer from Wallniture, which keeps utensils organized, uncluttered, and neatly out of the way. The kit comes with a 31.5-inch stainless steel bar that can be attached to the wall with the included mounting hardware, and there are 10 S-shaped hooks for hanging your utensils. (But you can always add more hooks down the line, if necessary.) This wall-mounted utensil holder is super practical while also providing a farmhouse feel to any kitchen space. Fortes suggests mounting this unit near the stove so that your utensils are within arm’s reach while you cook. While this Wallniture organizer is great for hanging up all your long-handled utensils, it can also be used to hang sieves, cutting boards, coffee mugs, pots and pans, and more.
Size: 31.5 inchesMaterial: Stainless steelCompartments: N/A (10 hooks)
Who it isn’t for: People who are looking for a compact storage solution for small kitchens. Though custom organization solutions from kitchen designers and installers would be anyone’s first choice if money wasn’t an issue, these systems are often extremely pricey. But the next best thing might just be the Rubbermaid No-Slip Interlocking Drawer Organizers. Sold as individual bins, they can click into one another to provide you with your very own custom-fit kitchen drawer storage system. The single-compartment tray comes in black and white colors, has a grippy lining on the inside, and can be configured any way you please. The 2-inch depth means that the drawer organizers are suitable for shallow kitchen drawers, and the 15-inch length makes them long enough to hold plenty of large utensils. These trays come in various sizes (like 9 x 6 inches and 15 x 3 inches) so you can utilize every last bit of space in your drawers to create a system that looks made-to-order. The utensil organizer is durable and easy to clean, too—just wash with warm soapy water and rinse.
Size: 15 x 6 x 2 inchesMaterial: PlasticColors: WhiteCompartments: One
How to Shop for Utensil Organizers Like a Pro
Type
There are several types of utensil and cutlery organizers on the market, with options available that come in various sizes and styles. Trays: The most common utensil organizers are drawer tray inserts. These usually have separate compartments of different sizes to accommodate various kitchen tools. Many newer trays are also expandable to fit into smaller or larger drawers as needed. Dividers: These handy gadgets slot into drawers so you can create separate compartments for utensils to go in. Particularly convenient for long-handled kitchen tools like spatulas and ladles, dividers can give you a more customized outcome than a pre-assembled tray. Containers: Similar to drawer trays, shallow containers can also be used as utensil organizers. “These containers come in all different shapes and sizes and can be combined like a jigsaw to provide more flexibility,” Fortes says. “It’s hard to get an insert that can perfectly match the size of your drawer, and these plastic containers—some of which can interlock with each other—are particularly convenient.” Crocks: For smaller apartments with limited drawer space, storing utensils in a crock next to the stove can be very handy. Not only will this keep your drawers free for other items, but it will ensure your go-to tools are close by and visible while cooking—eliminating the need for you to have to rummage around in utensil drawers with one hand. Wall-Mounted Organizers: If both drawer and counter space are limited, wall-mounted utensil organizers can make use of often-empty space. These usually come in the form of a mounting rod with hooks that the utensils can hang from. (Most utensils have holes in the handles for this exact purpose.)
Function
Utensil organizers can either store utensils, cutlery, or both. Organizer trays that are solely made for utensils will have larger compartments, while those that can accommodate silverware too will have a mix of both large and small compartments. While you’d technically be able to store flatware in a tray made for utensils, they might slide around quite a bit in the oversized compartments and would be hard to keep looking neat. Most cutlery organizers’ compartments are too small to house long-handled utensils, although you’d most likely be able to fit smaller gadgets like potato peelers, small spatulas, and wine openers in them.
Material
Most utensil organizers are made of plastic with rubber feet so that they stay in place and don’t slide around in the drawer. Some also have either rubber inserts or a textured inner surface so that the utensils themselves don’t move around in the compartments. Other material options include bamboo or clear acrylic.
Questions You Might Ask
What’s the best way to organize utensils?
The first step to organizing your utensils, according to Fortes, is to have a good decluttering session. “Make sure you only have what you need,” she says. “Most people go through their utensil drawer to find they have 10 serving spoons and items they’ve never used or needed just taking up space. Pare it back to the essentials.” You’ll then want to sort things into sections: Flatware and items that you reach for daily in one area, and other tools that are used more rarely (like pizza cutters) in a separate compartment. At the end of the day, sorting out utensils is highly dependent on the amount of space you have. If you have an entire drawer you can dedicate to utensils, then drawer dividers or modular containers are probably your best bet. But if you only have one drawer to split between utensils and cutlery, an expandable tray that can accommodate both is a good solution.
How should you organize utensils if you don’t have a drawer?
For those with no spare kitchen drawers, we suggest a wall-mounted organizer or a crock on the countertop for organizing your utensils. Most people with smaller kitchens will often have more wall space than counter space, so a wall-mounted utensil holder can help keep valuable counter space free, too. “It’s best to position your wall-mounted or crock utensil holder where you use the utensils the most,” Fortes advises. “Towards the side of the oven is optimal, so that they are within reach while you’re cooking.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat thoroughly researched multiple utensil organizers and considered factors such as size, material, style, and function. She also spoke to Anita Fortes, professional organizer and founder of professional home organizing services, A Neater Life.
