Easy Tutorial on How to Make Desk Organizer Tray Boxes

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Learn how to make your own drawer organizer boxes and dividers with the Cricut Joy. These awesome paper boxes will work with any cutting machine.

There is just something about an organized drawer that makes you feel amazing. Once you start organizing one part of your house, you'll feel super compelled to organize other things you already have!

If you have a junk drawer like everyone else does, I'm going to share with you a super easy tutorial on how you can make a box that fits perfectly for the space in that junk drawer.

Due to the varied drawer types, shapes, and depths, making your own dividers might be the best project to DIY in order to have a truly customizable and organized drawer that will use every area of the space in the drawer.

I am so thrilled with how much better my desk looks because it drove me absolutely bonkers when my pens, cords, and everything else was a jumbled hot mess.

Pre-Project Tips and Tricks

Before you begin, make sure you measure the internal dimensions of the drawer that you want to organize, including the width, depth, and height. You'll want the organizer trays to be snug, but you won't want them to be so squishy that they lay on top of one another.

You'll also want to make sure you KNOW how you want to organize your stuff. Here's a tip: Use Jenga pieces to divide out the drawer to measure what you want the dividers to look like so that you have an idea of what the box sizes should be.

How to Make a Desk Organizer Tray Box

Materials & Supplies for Drawer Organizer

Cutting Machine (Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Explore Air 2, or Cricut Joy)
Heavy Cardstock
Tacky Glue or Any Permanent Adhesive
Box Template Cut File

Step by Step Instructions on How to Make Paper Drawer Organizer Box Dividers

Choose your box dividers that you want to cut using the cutting machine software, like Design Space for Cricut Joy.

Choose the size that you want the box to be for your drawer.

Score the folding sections to make it easier for you to assemble.

Assemble the box.

Next, you'll want to apply glue around the tabs and put the box together.

I would not recommend using a tape runner because you'll want something more heavy duty. Tacky glue works best for this.

Tips and Tricks on Making DIY Drawer Dividers with Cricut

Prevent Paper Curling

When you remove your paper from the cutting mat, I would recommend flipping the mat over and peel the mat away from the paper (instead of vice versa) so that it avoids curling.

Heavy 80 lb Card Stock Is Best

I would recommend heavy cardstock for making DIY drawer dividers because it is heavy duty and won't tear as quickly.

After that, you'll be set.

You'll have gorgeous, organized drawers where you'll be able to find anything in a matter of seconds. These boxes allow all of your junk to have a place.

Once you have an organized junk drawer with these DIY drawer dividers, you'll never go back!

If you didn't want to DIY ...

For those who don't want to DIY a tray, I totally get it, you might not have the time to make these boxes or don't want to invest in a craft cutting machine. That's okay, below I've rounded up some of my favorite desk trays that I've found either on Amazon, Target, or Walmart.

Summary of DIY Desk Organizer Trays

Easy and simple projects like this can make a long-lasting difference in how quickly you can find things. This project probably costs you less than what it would take to buy to make per box, but can make all the difference in the world.

Before, you'd toss your stuff in a junk drawer and never see that item again. Now, you'll be able to find all of these items AND it will prevent you from ever having a junk drawer ever again.

In short, organizing any drawer, whether it's your desk drawer or your kitchen utensil drawer, takes just a small amount of planning and allows you to customize the space so that you can save time later.

Happy organizing!