If you have a teenager like I do, you know that they are really busy with friends, school work, and after school activities. Organizing their room is the last thing on their mind.
Steps on how to organize a teenagers nightstand
Here is the before picture of my daughter's drawer. Lots of pencils, pens, markers, a speaker, comb, brush, and small free stuff she received from a store years ago. Half the items in the drawer were not even used. It just was a place where she tossed the items when she was cleaning the top of the nightstand (Affiliate Link). Basically, it was a catch-all junk drawer posing as a nightstand (Affiliate Link) drawer.
First, I emptied the drawer and sorted the items. As you can see above, the drawer needed some TLC. It was marked up a bit.
I recently went to The Container Store and found these dividers squares for drawers. They worked pretty well. All I did was measure the width and "snap" It broke off nicely and easily.
I first added Contact paper (Affiliate Link) to the bottom of the drawer. It covered the marks on the bottom and made it look new again.
Then, I didn't want all small squares as shown on the packaging because she had markers and pens and other longer items that needed to be in the drawer. So I added the thin space on the right side so it would keep the horizontal dividers stable.
What do you think? I thought it came out cute. Have you organized your nightstand (Affiliate Link) recently? What is your favorite organizing item? Please share it in the comment section.
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (Affiliate Link), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Daria says
The drawer looks so good! I love that Container Store system. I am uber organized but my teenager daughter-ugh! So messy. I'm definitely showing her this post!
Sabrina says
Glad the post was inspiring. Full disclosure: it's not as neat as it was then, but it is still working. Thank goodness. =)
Erica says
We have one nightstand in out room that my husband uses. We only have one nightstand since it is the bedroom set I bought when I was single. When, I have to say that my husband has done a more impressive job than your teenage daughter in making it a cluttered mess. I will show him your post and see if it inspires him. Needless to say, you did a very cute job with your daughter's nightstand.
Beth Niebuhr says
It never occurred to me to organize my teens' drawers. I was pretty much hands off and just settled for fairly tiday. It's a nice idea though.
Jacqueline Gum says
What a huge difference! Looks fabulous!! Hope she can keep it that way!
Patricia Weber says
Indeed an orderly outcome Sabrina. Love the before and after picture. Hope this organized drawer for you teen stays that way! Do keep us posted.
Sabrina says
Thanks Patricia! I will. It's been a week and so far she is able to keep it organized.
Marquita Herald says
Well I don't have children of any age, but I think the tips you've shared will work with any organization project, and I have just the drawer in mind!
Ken Dowell says
It looks great and kudos to you for doing it. I wouldn't touch my son's drawers.
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
Ah, I love a good organizing project, especially when it involves something from The Container Store. These adjustable dividers are ingenious!
Lenie says
Sabrina, those snap containers are really neat and lining the drawer with contact paper made it look terrific.
How long do you think this will last LOL?
SafariOnTheBlog says
Lovely! You did a brillant job Sabrina in organising your daughter's drawer. I bet she loved it!
I havent organised my Nightstand recently. Hoping to do it friday, I have a day off.
Jeri says
Drawer dividers are great. I started to use little baskets when I loved and the new place lacked all the drawers my house used to have.
Phoenicia says
My daughter has LOTS of items on her table top. However she is not yet a teen.I do have a tidy now and again. As much as I do not like seeing the clutter, I know it is important for her to feel free and she is very much into crafts.
Donna Janke says
Very cute. I hope your teenager keeps it organized! When my daughter was a teenager, it was often better to just stay out of her room - she seemed to understand the disorder.
Catarina says
Clever way o organizing a teens nightstand, Sabrina.