Does your silverware drawer resemble something of a junk drawer? Instead of throwing forks, knives, and spoons in mindlessly, a flatware organizer can help to keep this area tidy. It can lead to an increase in storage, providing extra space within a drawer or cabinet and help to assemble your flatware in a neat way.
Not only will a utensil holder and tray work for organizational purposes, but it will also help the flatware remain in good and working condition. In order for it to last, consistent cleaning and storing is imperative. Simply leaving them in a drawer with other cutlery can lead to damage on the surface. Placing your forks, knives, and spoons in specific compartments will optimize durability, function, and overall aesthetic. The benefits are two-pronged – a clutter-free kitchen and scratch-free, undamaged flatware.
When it comes to the layout, specifically, there are a plethora of options regarding size and compartments. Some styles lean toward a more classic tray, while others boast additional features like stackable or adjustable trays. This abundance of choices can make it difficult to make a decision on which model is right for you and your kitchen. That’s why we created a guide that will cover everything from the factors to consider before buying, while also reviewing popular brands and models on the market today. We will dive deep into the pros and cons of each option, while highlighting their features and commenting on needed improvements, helping you find the best flatware organizer for your needs, budget, and your kitchen’s requirements.
Best Pick
Royal Craft Wood Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer. With a reinforced base and expandable features, the Royal Craft Kitchen Drawer Organizer is an excellent choice. It comes with 9 compartment slots that can fit a wide variety of utensils – small, medium , and large. This tray can accommodate multiple requirements and needs.
Budget Pick
Madesmart Classic Silverware Tray. The Madesmart Classic Silverware Tray is both affordable and functional. With 5 main compartments, a soft-grip lining, and non-slip feet, this option is the best bang for your buck. This budget-friendly tray offers many of the same features as some of the other more expensive options.
Quick Comparison: Top 12 Best Flatware Organizers
1. Royal Craft Wood Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer
Highlighted Features
The Royal Craft organizer is designed to fit any kitchen. It can be extended or retracted based on the size of the drawer. This will help to ensure the tray fits within the space without rattling around or being too big to fully fit inside. It comes with 7 slots to keep forks, knives, spoons, and other flatware. This is a good option if you have a large flatware collection and need a lot of storage, as it is able to accommodate a wide range of items. This will help to avoid any clutter, while also protecting each individual utensil from any unwanted damage or scratches. Additionally, each compartment is separated by grooved-shaped dividers that maximize storage and add an element of convenience.
The reinforced based and deep alcove provides added durability and reassurance that the tray will last a long time. The organizer can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth and soap. There’s no need to put it in the dishwasher or have to scrub it roughly. If the compartments become loose after a few years, fret not, the solution is quick and easy. Simply use wood glue to hold the panels securely into place.2. Madesmart Classic Silverware Tray
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This product from Madesmart is a part of a larger collection of kitchen organizers, including bins and trays that come in multiple sizes and expandable options. Their large silverware tray has a 6-compartment layout, rather than the classic 5 and is set at an affordable price. Although it is not adjustable, it typically can fit in most standard-sized kitchen drawers. The product features a soft-grip lining that will protect that contents of the tray. There are rounded corners for an easy cleanup and non-slip feet to avoid any movement in drawers. The shape makes it easy to wipe down compared to tight, angular corners where a cloth might not be able to reach. Each compartment contains an indent for labeling purposes that will help with organization and sorting.
The shape and material used is both practical and aesthetically-pleasing. It is also a versatile product, with usage options varying from silverware storage to the organization of other cutlery items. It contains extra-wide sections that allow for the placement of oddly-shaped and oversized kitchen items, like can openers and measuring cups. Keep in mind, it is large tray and cannot be made smaller. Measure the drawer you intend to place it in before ordering.3. Rubbermaid No-Slip Silverware Tray Organizer
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The company, Rubbermaid, has been around for over 80 years, creating innovative, high-quality kitchen products. Their no-slip organizer provides easy storage, as it comes with 5 large slots and 2 expandable sections for both your flatware and serving utensils. This product has a non-slip base that will help the utensils stay in place as you open and close your kitchen drawer throughout the day. The layout is designed to be customizable and functional, while the material provides a strong, durable base.
If you own a large amount of silverware, a classic tray containing only 5 compartments may be too small. Because of the expandable design, this option is able to store more than the traditional size. When fully expanded, you can store up to 70 pieces of flatware in this one tray. The top compartment is extra-long and wide, providing for even more storage space. It has the room to store a combination of small and medium-sized tools.4. Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer
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With sustainable features and a modern design, the Pipishell bamboo organizer is a great choice to help organize kitchen clutter and maintain the quality of your flatware. The product is multifunctional, as it can be used in any room for the storage of smaller items, like cutlery, tools, or even jewelry.
It is both an adjustable and expandable organizer. There are 6-8 compartments, depending on whether the tray is expanded or not. The end pieces slide out to provide for two additional storage sections. You can extend either one or two of the expandable sections, making the product extremely versatile and personalized. This well-made, high-quality tray will help with organization throughout the entire house and doesn’t solely need to be used in the kitchen. It is also easy to clean. All you have to do is take a damp cloth and wipe down the inside.5. Dynamic Gear Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer
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This is an excellent option if you’re looking for something with a ton of storage. This bamboo expandable organizer by Dynamic Gear can store multiple sets of flatware, as well as uniquely-shaped utensils. This tray is has expandable options, making the tray close to a custom-made piece. In total, there are 6 compartments when retracted and 8 compartments when expanded, helping to neatly store your items.
The two expandable spaces can easily store additional silverware or other cutlery items. This tray is longer than many of the more traditional options. We recommend double checking whether your desired drawer can fit the contraption. The main section of the holder features 3 compartments that can fit forks, knives, and spoons. The 2 additional, expandable sections are perfect for serving utensils and other tools.
This is a multipurpose product that can be used for many things other than kitchen supplies. For example, you can use it to store office supplies like scissors, charging wires, and pencils, or jewelry like necklaces, bracelets and earrings.6. Bellemain Bamboo Expandable Cutlery and Utility Drawer Organizer
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The Bellemain organizer is a sustainable, innovative option that helps to maximize storage space in any drawer. You can see everything within the space at a bird’s eye view. Feel free to throw forks, knives, spoons, and more into this tray for optimal organization. The design offers 6 main compartments, with an additional 2 compartments that can be extended on either side. It is constructed to easily expand or collapse within seconds.
The compartments can fit silverware sets for up to 12 people. The insert is designed to fit into most drawers, while maintaining a sleek, custom look. It comes with deep, removable dividers that let you personalize the drawer to your specific needs. To clean and maintain the quality of the tray, simply use soap and water to wash away any dirt or food buildup. It is built with the highest quality of craftsmanship, providing a durable organizer, guaranteed to last many years. If something goes wrong, Bellemain offers a two-year warranty.7. OXO Good Grips Expandable Utensil Organizer
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The OXO Good Grips organizer is a part of special collection of kitchen tools that boasts innovative design and robust craftsmanship. This option is great if you want a super-organized drawer where everything really stays in place. The other choices can help to organize by separating items, but it can still look a bit messy within the tray itself. On the other hand, this organizer will grip each utensil to ensure nothing slides when the drawer is being opened and closed. Everything stays stacked exactly where you left it. Here’s how it works – once each compartment is full, you can clamp the set to either side. To remove, simply squeeze the sides of the clamps and your flatware will be released.
Not only does it provide excellent organization, but it also expands from 15 inches wide to 22 inches wide. There are dueling compartments on either side that can slide out as needed. These specific sections are large enough to hold some utensils and tools that lean on the bigger side, like spatulas and whisks. The compartment on the top is good for both medium-sized and larger-sized items.8. Bameos Utensil Drawer Organizer
The Bameos utensil tray is another great bamboo-based option for all your organizing wishes. It provides practical storage space and an aesthetically-pleasing look. The organizer will help to reduce clutter and increase cleanliness, while also avoiding the chance of losing an item. The product features a rectangle shape and deep dividers that allow for utensils of various sizes to be stored. The flatware organizer has a total of 5 compartments, but it is not expandable like some of the other options on the market.
The product works great as an organizer for the kitchen, as well as other areas in the home. You can use it to store office supplies, bathroom items, or simply to crack down on that junk drawer that’s been ignored for months and months. The wood can be easily cleaned with warm water and soap. You should use a damp cloth to clean; do not soak the bamboo in water for long periods of time.9. Totally Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer
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Totally Bamboo has been around since 2000, creating bamboo solutions for a variety of kitchen essentials. The company started out by making cutting boards and eventually expanded their inventory. The expandable tray from Totally Bamboo contains 6 main compartments and 2 adjustable ones. With a total of 8 solidly built compartments, this drawer organizer can help to separate and store flatware, cutlery, kitchen tools, and more. Each compartment varies in size to accommodate whatever equipment you need neatly stored away.
The layout can be expanded either one the right, the left, or both. The sides independently slide out to maximize space and cut down on clutter. Totally Bamboo build their flatware organizers with 100% bamboo for multiple reasons. First, it is easy to clean and maintain, compared to hardwood. Second, it’s a durable material; it’s harder than maple and has a higher tensile level than steel. And finally, is a renewable source. Starting with grass, the roots remain and regrow in a short period of time.10. Masirs Flatware Drawer Organizer
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We’ve now looked at many bamboo and plastic options, but what if none of those are what you’re looking for? Enter: the metal tray. This Masir’s flatware organizer is constructed from a mesh steel that will not rust or decay overtime. It is also very gentle on your silverware and will prevent any damage from occurring. The tray itself is large and spacious and can help you stay organized in the kitchen, other wherever else you need a little extra tidiness. With a total of 6 sections, you can easily arrange your cutlery and utensils in a neat and organized way.
The tray has a frame around the bottom that will keep it slightly elevated in the drawer. This, combined with the mesh structure, will help to provide ventilation under and around the tray and avoid any buildup of moisture or mildew. Additionally, any crumbs or dust will fall through to the bottom of the drawer, which will help to keep the silverware clean. You can also use this organizer for office supplies, including pens, pencils, paper clips, sticky notes, highlighters, and more.11. Seseno Expandable Cutlery Drawer Organizer
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If you need to store a lot of flatware and cooking utensils, this expandable drawer organizer from Seseno may be the right choice for you. The convenient design allows for 8 separate compartments that can fit forks, knives, and spoons, as well as bigger kitchen gadgets like spatulas, whisk, tongs, rolling pins and more. With an adjustable design, this pick can range from a width of 13 inches all the way up to 23.75 inches. This big increase in storage space can help to organize a kitchen drawer, junk drawer, or really any area of the house.
Since this option is larger than most, be sure to check that your drawer is big enough to accommodate the tray. Luckily, since the size is customizable, it should fit in most traditionally- sized drawers. However, when using the expandable feature it may end up being too big. It’s best to do measurements before placing an order. If it’s able to fit, this whopping 8-compartment layout can provide a sufficient amount of space for different sized items. The smaller slots can house various pieces of flatware, while the bigger areas are great for oddly-shaped or larger tools.12. Storage Technologies Mesh Flatware and Cutlery Tray
Highlighted Features
Here is another metal mesh tray option from Storage Technologies. It is made from a stainless steel wire mesh and has a silver epoxy coating for a modern, clean finish. This powder coat finish is scratch resistant for both the silverware and drawer. The stainless steel material is very durable and should last a long time. Additionally, the mesh tray will not accumulate any dust or dirt, as a bamboo or plastic tray might.
The layout contains 6 compartments that are sized to easily fit classic silverware, as well as larger items. There is no upkeep or maintenance required and cleaning the tray is very easy. As mentioned earlier, most dirt and grime will fall the bottom of the drawer, but still, you may want to wipe it down. To do so, take a wash cloth and soap, or even a disinfectant spray and wipe down the entire organizer.Benefits of a Flatware Organizer
Technically, you could put all your silverware and kitchen utensils in a drawer, without a tray. But, there are many benefits to using a flatware organizer. It helps to keep everything in place in an organized and consistent manner. Without one, you may have to rummage through all your stuff for a wanted item. This will save a lot of time and energy, while minimizing any frustrations.
The organizer is often divided into different components, where the silverware or other gadgets can live. Depending on the tray, the number of components typically vary from 5-8 sections. The main sections are built to hold the more traditional silverware items, like forks, knives and spoons. The expandable sections and top areas are often bigger, allowing for the placement of larger pieces.
As an added bonus, organizing your flatware will help to minimize any chances of damage, like unwanted scratches or dents on the finish. They also help to improve the cleanliness of the flatware, as you won’t be mixing different items and spreading germs within them. For example, you don’t want any residue bacteria from a knife that you used to cut a piece of meat to reach the forks or spoons. Most likely, that won’t be the case if you use a dishwasher, but it’s an extra precaution and may give you piece of mind.
If you don’t have much cabinet space within your kitchen, an organizer can help to optimize storage by stacking utensils neatly on top of one another. Finally, if your goal is to have a squeaky clean kitchen, an organized flatware drawer simply looks better and may be less stressful.
Material
Flatware organizers typically come in metal, plastic, or bamboo. No material is substantially better than the other, as they each have different advantages and disadvantages. Choosing which one to go with all depends on which benefits or fallbacks most stand out to you.
Plastic options are quite popular and maintain a good balance between practicality and function. They are both affordable and long-lasting; ultimately a good investment for long-term use. Additionally, plastic is resistant to most bacteria buildup and can be cleaned quickly. On the other hand, they are not the best option when considering environmental factors and can contain bisphenol, a chemical that is used to make plastics and resins.
The bamboo organizers are slightly more expensive and require adequate care. They should be wiped down with a damp towel and should not be submerged into water. After washing your silverware, it’s important to make sure it’s fully dry before placing back in the bamboo tray. This can lead to mold and mildew. Bamboo is an eco-friendly option, as it is naturally harvested from the ground.
Finally, metal trays often contain a mesh design to ensure moisture and other dirt or dust does not build up on the bottom. The metal can lead to some rust and corrosion, which can limit the life of the tray. However, in terms of sanitation and durability, this is the best option.
Compartments
Different trays offer a different number of compartments, sizes, and adjustable options. Deciding which is best for you relies heavily on the size of your drawer and how much stuff you intend to put in the organizer.
Most flatware organizers come with 5-8 different compartments. Each compartment can vary in size, depending on the tray. Some brands have 5 main parts, with an additional 2 compartments that extend out, while more traditional organizers have a total of 5 sections with no adjustable feature.
Size
This is maybe the most important factor to consider. You need to make sure the organizer will fit in the drawer or cabinet you want to put it in. Most will come in a pretty standard size that is designed to fit is most places. But, it never hurts to do some measurements beforehand to see if the tray is either too big or too small.
This is a crucial factor if you plan to put your tray in a drawer or a cabinet. An inadequate size can reduce the usefulness of the tray, particularly if it doesn’t fit in your drawer or is too small/big for your cutlery. If it’s too small, it could rattle and move every time you open or close the drawer. And obviously if it’s too big, the tray will not fit.
Choosing a model that has a customizable feature will help to avoid any size concerns. It will allow you to either expand or retract the tray in order to achieve the perfect fit.
Price
Flatware organizers do not vary sustainably in price. There are some more expensive options, but not by much. The price will typically be higher with bamboo organizers and ones that have adjustable options. If you’re on a tight budget, the more affordable choices are plastic and stainless steel. They do not lack in quality because they’re more affordable. Both are durable and should last a long time.
Are Flatware Organizers Easy to Clean?
First, flatware organizers are one of the most important items to keep clean in the kitchen. They store utensils that will be touching various foods and mouths. Because of this, keeping the tray narcotically clean should be a top priority.
The easiest and most effective way to keep a tray clean is by picking an option that is dishwaser-safe The Rubbermaid No-Slip Silverware Tray Organizer, for example, is able to go in the dishwasher and is a solid choice. If you decide to go with another option, they can be easily cleaned by using a washcloth and soap.