# How to plan a drawer organiser layout Canonical HTML: [How to plan a drawer organiser layout](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/plan-a-drawer-organiser-layout/) Practical guide · [Drawers](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/drawer-organisation/) · Plan drawer organisers with scaled layouts, rotation comparisons and a row calculator. Compare base fit, chosen gaps, loaded height and exposed depth. Space Made Useful · Updated November 2026 · One documented product example · ![Plain card templates laid out in an empty drawer beside a tape measure](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/assets/images/batch4-plan-a-drawer-organiser-layout.jpg) The main decision ## Use paper footprints before buying trays Draw the usable base and mark where the open drawer becomes hard to reach. Cut templates for the outside of each tray, leave room to grip them, and check the tallest item on the base through the whole closing movement. ## Compare three layouts on the same drawer base A row can occupy less width after a tray is turned, but reach farther towards the back. We calculated the three arrangements below using the same illustrative drawer, tray footprints and chosen reserves. These are example dimensions, not sizes for the product shown later. - **Drawer:** 46 cm wide × 40 cm deep; 6.5 cm lowest closing height; 20 cm of exposed depth when open. - **Tray footprints:** A is 24 × 12 cm; B is 16 × 12 cm; C is 12 × 8 cm. The first number is the width across the drawer as entered. - **Chosen reserves:** 1 cm at each side, 2 cm between neighbouring trays and 1 cm in front. The highest loaded point is 5.5 cm from the drawer base, including anything underneath. Those reserves are inputs for the example. Choose space for the actual grip, tray edges and contents you need; there is no single gap that suits every drawer. Swipe the table to compare all columns. Calculated row envelopes include the chosen gaps and reserves. Width, depth and remaining space are in centimetres. | Layout | Planned width × depth | Width left beyond reserves | Depth left | Fully exposed trays | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1\. None turned | 58 × 13 | 12 cm short | 27 | 3 of 3 | | 2\. A turned | 46 × 25 | 0 cm extra | 15 | 2 of 3 | | 3\. A and B turned | 42 × 25 | 4 cm extra | 15 | 2 of 3 | **The main decision.** Turning B as well as A releases another 4 cm across the drawer without increasing the row depth: A is already the deepest tray. A rotated footprint is useful only when the contents, tray shape and retrieval movement still work in that direction. ### 1\. Keep all three footprints as entered The tray widths total 52 cm. Two 2 cm gaps and a 1 cm reserve at each side increase the planned width to 58 cm: 12 cm beyond the 46 cm drawer. The short row depth does not recover that missing width. **Planned envelope: 58 × 13 cm.** Loaded-height margin: 1 cm. BackABCFront / handle10 cm All drawings use 6 drawing units per centimetre. Shaded rear area: covered by the cabinet. Dashed line: the 20 cm exposure boundary. Letters identify the illustrative trays. ### 2\. Turn tray A to reduce the width Turning A changes its footprint to 12 cm across and 24 cm deep. The complete planned width becomes 46 cm, including the chosen gaps and side reserves. That uses the exact width budget. A now ends 25 cm from the front, so its last 5 cm sit behind the 20 cm exposure line. **Planned envelope: 46 × 25 cm.** Loaded-height margin: 1 cm. BackABCFront / handle10 cm All drawings use 6 drawing units per centimetre. Shaded rear area: covered by the cabinet. Dashed line: the 20 cm exposure boundary. Letters identify the illustrative trays. ### 3\. Turn B as well, without making the row deeper Turning B reduces its width from 16 to 12 cm. A already sets the 24 cm tray depth, so this second rotation leaves the planned row depth at 25 cm, including the front reserve. The planned width falls to 42 cm, leaving 4 cm beyond the chosen side reserves and gaps. B and C remain fully within the exposed section. **Planned envelope: 42 × 25 cm.** Loaded-height margin: 1 cm. BackABCFront / handle10 cm All drawings use 6 drawing units per centimetre. Shaded rear area: covered by the cabinet. Dashed line: the 20 cm exposure boundary. Letters identify the illustrative trays. ## Separate leftover space, exposure and closing height Zero extra width in layout 2 means the row uses all of the planned envelope, including the chosen side reserves and inter-tray gaps. It does not remove those reserves. If you choose zero reserves instead, an exact outside-size match leaves no corresponding gap. Positive extra space also does not establish that a rounded corner or projecting connector clears. The tray footprints cover 576 cm² in each arrangement: 24 × 12 + 16 × 12 + 12 × 8. Rotation changes their arrangement, not their combined area. Against the 1,840 cm² drawer rectangle, that is about 31%. The rest includes gaps and disconnected spaces; it is not automatically a usable area for another tray. Width and depth checks reveal conflicts that an area percentage misses. **Height can overturn the plan.** All three examples use a highest loaded point of 5.5 cm and a 6.5 cm closing limit, leaving 1 cm vertically. If a tall item raises the loaded point to 7 cm, the layout exceeds that limit by 0.5 cm, whichever way the footprints turn. Measure from the actual drawer base so the tray base, feet, pads and liner are included once. A tray is counted as fully exposed only when its rear edge stays within the uncovered depth. In layouts 2 and 3, A ends 25 cm from the front and extends 5 cm behind the 20 cm boundary. That describes visibility from above, not whether you can reach, grip or lift it. A tray ending exactly on the line has no extra exposed space for your hand behind it. Use the [partial-opening guide](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/organise-a-drawer-that-only-opens-partway/) for the lift and slide route. ## Compare a row using your own measurements Enter one to three rectangular tray footprints. The planner compares their horizontal rotations in a single front-aligned row. It keeps your chosen gaps and reserves, and reports exposure separately. Include projecting rims and connectors in the outside sizes. It does not search every possible multi-row or interlocking arrangement. ### Your drawer and tray footprints, in centimetres Use the static comparison and diagrams above to follow the same row-width, depth, height and exposure calculations. “Uses an exact limit” means no extra space in at least one dimension beyond your stated plan. An exact height match leaves no vertical clearance. Check the real base outline, connectors, grip, contents and loaded closing route. A partly covered tray may still be reachable, but the calculator cannot establish its lift path. The static tables, three scaled layouts and formulas below the FAQs provide the same method without the interactive planner. ## Apply the method to a documented product arrangement The Joseph Joseph Blox 7-piece set, model 85199, has a published example arrangement of 5 cm high × 26.5 cm wide × 43.9 cm deep. Its seven trays can be rearranged, so that single footprint does not describe every combination or the size of an individual tray. For the same illustrative 46 × 40 cm drawer, turning that complete example arrangement to put 43.9 cm across and 26.5 cm front to back leaves 2.1 cm of width and 13.5 cm of depth before any chosen reserves. Keeping the maker's stated 26.5 cm across and 43.9 cm depth would exceed the drawer depth by 3.9 cm. Measure your actual clipped layout and loaded height rather than treating either rectangle as a guarantee. For loose everyday essentials ### Joseph Joseph Blox 7-piece organiser Seven trays clip together in different arrangements, so you can group small accessories without committing to one large fixed insert. **Example layout · cm**: 43.9 × 26.5 × 5 **Access**: Lift-out trays **In the pack**: Seven trays **What to check** The maker’s example arrangement is 43.9 × 26.5 × 5 cm. Check your chosen layout and the clearance under the drawer’s front rail. View on Amazon — Joseph Joseph Blox 7-piece organiser The A, B and C footprints above are illustrative and are not dimensions for individual Blox trays. Compare [modular sets](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/best-modular-drawer-trays/) if you need different sizes or independent lift-out pieces. ## Sort the things that need to share the drawer Empty the drawer and group the contents by what you use together. A desk drawer might need one long place for pens, a small tray for clips and one unpartitioned space for cables. A clothes drawer might need low rows for shirts and separate sections for socks. Put duplicates and occasional items aside until you know how much room the daily groups need. Lay each group out in the orientation you want. Measure a pen with its cap on, a pair of scissors closed and a cable coiled the way you normally leave it. For clothes, measure the real fold rather than making a smaller one just for the calculation. Record the length, width and height of each group, including the part you use to grasp it. Keep sharp or fragile items in a suitable separate space. Decide what you want to lift out as a group. A tray holding sewing supplies can move to a table. A line of folded shirts can stay directly on the drawer base. Compare [dividers and trays](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/drawer-dividers-vs-trays/) if the groups suggest both formats. ## Draw the useful shape of the drawer Measure the base inside the drawer at the front, centre and back. Take the depth on both sides. Mark the smallest reading and draw the corners or any protruding screws. Use actual-size paper if you can. A simple rectangular outline can overstate a base that tapers. Use the [drawer measuring guide](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/measure-for-drawer-organisers/) to record these limits separately from closing height. Open the drawer as far as it normally goes. Mark the line where the cabinet covers the rear. Then mark the depth you can reach with a hand and the depth from which you can comfortably lift a tray. Those lines may be different. A shallow tray may slide forward from under a worktop, while a taller box needs room to tip or lift. Put the frequently used groups where you can see and pick them up. Drawer plan with a long tray at the left, two daily trays at the front, and space in front to grip them Long trayDaily trayDaily trayLess accessible rearGrip spaceDrawer front Plan the main groups from the front of the drawer. Leave space to grip removable trays and decide what can go behind the easy reach line. ## Try paper templates around the groups Cut a template for the outside footprint of each candidate tray. Include the lip, rim and any connector that sticks out. Mark where the actual usable compartment starts. If the maker supplies just one example layout, ask for individual dimensions or use an arrangement with known measurements. Arrange the pieces against the lines you drew and try a rotated version before deciding. **Illustrative plan.** A base is 46 cm wide. A 15 cm tray and two 12 cm trays use 39 cm across, leaving 7 cm on paper. Reserve part of that room for grip and account for a rounded corner before buying. Check the trays' inner widths separately against their contents. Move the long piece first if it has few possible positions. Fill the other side with the daily trays and leave the rear for groups you can pull forward without moving everything else. Small spaces between shapes may be worth keeping if they let you lift a tray out. The [modular tray guide](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/best-modular-drawer-trays/) compares arrangements that clip together with those you can lift individually. ## Test your grip and the loaded closing height Try the paper layout with the actual items on it, leaving them in their intended groups. Reach for a daily item, then the biggest piece and the farthest rear item. Mimic the movement of lifting an entire tray. If your hand needs to enter from the side, move the neighbouring template before buying rather than counting on the gap being enough. Estimate height from the actual resting surface. A tray base and liner both raise the contents. Check the highest loaded point under the lowest rail or fixing across the closing path. On delivery, start with an empty insert and close gently. Add the tallest piece first and check again before filling all the compartments. See the [shallow drawer organiser guide](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/best-shallow-drawer-organisers/) if height is the limiting measurement. Leave the final arrangement in use for several days. Notice anything that lands in the wrong place or needs two moves to reach. Move that group towards the front or change the compartment instead of adding more pieces. If an insert shifts in a layout that otherwise works, see [how to stop drawer organisers sliding](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/stop-drawer-organisers-sliding/). For cooking drawers, plan [spice rows](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/best-spice-racks-for-drawers/), [food-container lids](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/organise-lids-in-a-drawer/) and [food-wrap cartons](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/store-food-wrap-in-a-drawer/) around their own lifting or cutting movement. ## Questions before you choose ### What measurements do I need for a drawer organiser layout? Record the usable base width and depth, the lowest closing height, the uncovered depth when open and the highest loaded point from the drawer base. Use the complete outside footprint of each tray. ### How much gap should I leave between trays? Choose the reserve around your actual grip, tray edges and contents. The planner applies the gap you enter between neighbouring trays and a separate equal reserve at each side. Zero extra width can still include those stated reserves. ### Does rotating a tray always save space? Rotation swaps width and depth, while leaving its rectangular area unchanged. It can free width but increase the depth or move part of a tray behind the opening. Compare both directions against all the limits. ### Can a tray sit behind the drawer opening? Being partly covered is separate from base fit. Check whether you can see, grip, slide and lift the loaded tray without tipping it or moving several everyday groups. The exposed-depth calculation does not establish that route. ### Can the calculator find the best arrangement for every drawer? It compares one front-aligned row of up to three rectangular trays, including rotations and your chosen reserves. Trace curves and fittings, account for connectors and check the loaded closing route separately. Multi-row and interlocking layouts need their own complete outline. ## How we put this guide together We calculated the row widths, depths, height margins and exposed trays from the stated illustrative inputs. The product example uses the published Joseph Joseph Blox 85199 arrangement. The formulas below explain the difference between extra space, chosen reserves and actual retrieval. The A, B and C tray dimensions and 46 × 40 cm drawer are illustrative inputs. Required width = the sum of oriented outside widths + one chosen gap per neighbouring pair + two side reserves. Required depth = the deepest oriented tray + the front reserve. Height margin = the lowest closing height − the highest loaded point measured from the drawer base. For exposure, we compare each tray's depth plus the front reserve with the uncovered drawer depth. Equality counts as fully within that rectangle, but adds no extra room for a hand behind the tray. Turning swaps width and depth only. The planner compares one front-aligned row, with no stacking or diagonal placement, and does not infer individual Blox tray sizes from the overall arrangement. Square footprints are counted once because rotation does not change their geometry. The diagrams use 6 drawing units per centimetre. The planner reports calculated values to two decimal places, with a less-than-0.01 label for smaller nonzero differences. The area percentage is rounded to the nearest whole percent. Base curves, taper, fittings, connectors, grip and the loaded closing route remain separate checks. The Blox example uses the [manufacturer specification for model 85199](https://www.josephjoseph.com/products/blox-7-piece-drawer-organiser-set-grey), checked in November 2026. The published example is H5 × W26.5 × D43.9 cm and includes seven trays; the individual A, B and C dimensions are independent illustrations. [Download the layout inputs, calculated cases and assumptions (JSON)](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/data/drawer-layout-analysis.json). [Read our source policy](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/source-policy/) **Space Made Useful** We compare documented dimensions, opening mechanisms and other details that help you choose storage for the space you have. [How we research our guides](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/editorial-policy/). **Affiliate disclosure.** If you buy through a product link on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. [How affiliate links work](https://spacemadeuseful.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/).