5 Smart Ways To Use A Pool Noodle For Better Drawer Organization & Storage

Pool noodles might be your go-to accessory to splash around in the pool, but they have so many more uses than just being a water toy. They're also incredible organizers. That might sound like a bold statement, but since you can cut them into various sizes, you can use them in a multitude of different ways. Because of this, they're a great tool to have on hand when restructuring or organizing your dresser drawers, desk, or kitchen storage.

Pool noodles can come in handy for keeping organizers in place or making them work more efficiently. For instance, you can use one as a stopper to keep an organizer from sliding. Whether you have a utensil organizer that flies across the drawer every time you open it or a jewelry tray that gets shoved to the back of the drawer and is hard to see, this hack can help. Or if you need storage help, these Styrofoam floaties can also help display everything from your bracelets to your knives. Here is a closer look at how to transform this affordable floatie into a budget-conscious drawer organizing aid. 

Almost everyone has a utensil organizer to separate their forks from their knives from their spoons. While this system is effective and tidy, it can become pretty annoying if it's housed in a larger drawer and slides around every time you open it. If your organizer moves back and forth every time you pull open the drawer to take out a spoon, the entire thing can look unkempt. However, you can easily fix your floating utensil organizer issue with a pool noodle cut in half, used as a stopper. 

To keep drawer organizers in place, measure the distance from the top of your utensil holder to the back of the drawer, and then cut the pool noodle to that size. Once you have your chunk, cut it in half so you have two pieces. This will create a flat side that can comfortably sit inside the drawer. One of the best tools to use when cutting a pool noodle is a serrated knife, so grab your bread knife if you have it handy. Then, place each piece at the top of the organizer, creating a stopper between it and the top of the drawer, preventing it from sliding. This is a great pool noodle hack to try because not only does it use something you already have at home, but it also creates more storage space in the drawer. Since the tray will no longer be moving, you can easily store other cooking utensils above it.

Do you have kitchen knives but no knife block? If you're lacking safe storage for some of your knives and currently have them loose in your utensil drawer, then you can rectify that with the help of a pool noodle. Leaving them without a specialized holder can potentially lead to injury, since you can cut your hand or fingers on a blade if you're not being careful. Ensure those sharp utensils are tucked away by transforming a pool floatie into an organizer. 

To pull it off, first count how many knives you will need to store. This will give you an idea of how big of a piece you should cut. Once you have your length, cut deep slits into the noodle, stopping at the halfway point. Then, place your knives into the slots, and there you have it — a custom knife organizer! If you're worried the holder will slide around inside the drawer, consider keeping it in place with Museum Putty ($3.48 for a pack on Amazon).

Do you have tons of bracelets and watches, but they all end up in a tangled, disorderly mess inside your drawers? Help corral the mess with the help of a pool noodle. You can go about doing this in one of two ways. The first is to measure the width of your drawer and then cut the noodle to that measurement. Then, slide your bracelets and watches onto the Styrofoam floatie, and put it inside your drawer for a tidy, easy-to-see display. 

The only drawback to this hack is that pool noodles are usually made in bright neon colors. If that doesn't match your aesthetic, the second way of going about this hack is to spray paint the noodle black or white. This will make it look more chic and understated. This is a great hack to try because it solves a common problem using an affordable toy that you can buy at almost any dollar store. 

Even if you have a dedicated jewelry box, earrings can quickly become separated unless they're stored into their own separate compartments. However, if your jewelry organizing system just has open drawers and not individual cubbies for your earrings, a pool noodle can help. Simply measure the drawer or bin you want to store your earrings in, cut the floatie down to size, and then cut it in half so it has a flat side. Put those two halves into your drawer or box, and then push your studs and chandelier earrings into it. 

Since pool noodles are long, you can even use this hack for dresser drawers rather than small jewelry box drawers. If you have a robust collection, move it to one of your shallower dresser drawers, and create the same setup. That way you'll open the drawer and have your entire collection to peruse in one spot. 

If you have a drawer system that's installed on metal racks, but those racks keep falling off the frame, then a pool noodle can better help secure it. To pull it off, cut your pool noodle in half. Then, measure the space between each rack, and cut sections off the floatie to match those heights. Pop the pool noodle in between each rack, on either side of it, and secure it on the outside frame. This will prop up the racks, ensuring they don't fall down. 

This will help make the drawer system run more smoothly, ensuring the racks don't fall off and keeping drawers from collapsing onto each other. It also helps you to support each shelf at a customized height based on the size of your drawers. If you have an all-white or black rack instead of a colorful one, consider spray painting the floatie the same color to help it blend in better.