The Cute Kitchen Countertop Storage Hack That Keeps Everyday Essentials Tidy

If there's one thing that's certain about countertops, it's that they never fail to attract clutter. And when you're detailing with limited drawer space, it can make it even more challenging to combat kitchen counter clutter. Baskets are a great solution to store items like silverware or cooking utensils directly on your countertop, and they also happen to be aesthetically pleasing to boot. However, things can easily get lost or jumbled up inside them. If you find yourself constantly having to rummage through your kitchen baskets to find what you're looking for, this DIY basket divider may be the solution for which you've been looking.  

While you could just buy dividers like these Bofoho drawer dividers from Amazon for around $9, you likely already have cardboard boxes you can repurpose into dividers at home for free. Plus, the beauty of making your own is that you can completely customize the size and shape to fit your basket perfectly. For example, if you have a deep basket, you can make taller dividers to keep things from toppling over. If you have a rounded basket, you can make dividers that follow the curve exactly to create a precise fit. Now, let's break down just how easy it is to make a basket divider as well as a few ways you can customize it to fit your unique style.

The supply list for this DIY is very minimal; all you'll need are a ruler, pencil, scissors, and scrap cardboard. You'll likely want to use sturdy cardboard such as the type used for Amazon deliveries or diaper boxes versus flimsy cardboard like the kind used for cereal boxes. Start by measuring the height, width, and depth inside your basket. Cut one piece of cardboard that's the same height and depth and one piece that's the same height and width. If your basket is rounded, trace the rounded portion of it onto the cardboard before cutting. Now, mark the center of each piece of cardboard, and cut a slit that goes halfway through. Slide the two slits together and place the completed divider inside your basket.

This method will create a basic four-compartment divider, but you can easily add additional compartments by simply adding another row of cardboard. And if you'd like to add a bit of beauty to your divider, that's super easy to do too. For example, you can wrap the cardboard pieces with stylish wrapping paper, or you can cover them with decorative paper or leftover wallpaper. Alternatively, you could cover the cardboard with a shelf liner or contact paper. You could even paint the divider pieces in a pretty hue that complements your kitchen. That's really all it takes to transform a basic basket into stylish kitchen counter decor that will also help you avoid clutter.