Cleaning up a Drawer

I have two drawers in my mud room that I keep some of my kids art supplies.  The other day my daughter needed a few markers for a project.  She couldn't find what she was looking for.  I went over to see why and saw this disaster.

Well it's no wonder she couldn't find what she was looking for.  What a mess.

First step...completely empty out the drawers.

Whenever you clean up a drawer or a closet, things have to get worse before they get better.  This is the mess from one of the drawers now making a mess on the countertop.

I tested every single marker and pen and threw out any that were dried up.  There were many.  I then sorted all of the items by type...crayons, pens, markers, erasers, pencils.  I took anything that didn't belong in the drawer and returned it to where it belonged in the house.  Plus I found plenty of junk in the drawer that got thrown out.

Here is the end result.

So much better.

Now the next time anyone needs a marker, pencil or crayon there should no longer be any issues.  I know it takes a little time, but in the end it ultimately saves time when things are organized and easy to find.  For me, it just makes me a little happier opening up these drawers.  How about you?  What have you been organizing lately?

-Judy