For as long as I can remember, my junk drawer has been a chaotic mess. Loose batteries, mystery keys, pens that may or may not work, and cables I probably don’t need anymore—it was all crammed together with no sense of order. I had tried store-bought organizers, but they never fit quite right, and most had slots for things I didn’t use.

That changed when I discovered Gridfinity, a modular grid-based organization system created by Zack Freedman. It’s designed for everything from workbenches to drawers, and since it’s fully open source, you can tweak it however you like. I printed a baseplate to fit my drawer and customized a few bins to hold the random assortment of stuff I wanted to keep. The total filament cost was under $20, and it’s now the most functional drawer in the house.

Why I used Gridfinity for this

A flexible, modular system that just works

What sets Gridfinity apart is how easy it is to adapt. Every bin fits on a baseplate that uses a 42×42 mm grid system. You can stack, label, remix, and rearrange parts freely. Unlike fixed organizers from big box stores, this setup adapts to your needs and keeps evolving as your needs change.

There’s already a massive community building on top of the base design, and you’ll find thousands of bins for everything from tools to LEGO bricks. For my junk drawer, I grabbed some basic 1×1 and 1×2 bins from the official Gridfinity repository, then tweaked the height to match my drawer depth. I even made a few magnetized versions for heavier items like my precision screwdriver set.

Because each bin is its own object, I was able to print and test them one at a time. If something didn’t fit or wasn’t useful, I just replaced it. The modularity also makes it easier to clean or swap bins between drawers if I decide to reorganize later. Once everything was in place, I couldn’t believe how clean and easy it all looked.

How I built the insert system

A custom baseplate and the proper containers

I started by measuring the drawer interior, taking into account clearance near the top and any rounded corners that could affect placement. Then I used a configurable Gridfinity baseplate generator to generate a plate that would fill most of the usable area. I printed it in two sections so it would fit on my printer bed and used the connector clips provided by the online generator to connect them.

Once I had the base in place, I started designing and picking bins. Some were already perfect as-is, while others needed remixing to add a divider or shorten the height. I printed extras so I could test different layouts, then finalized the grid once I knew what worked. For example, I realized I needed a dedicated marker and pen bin and found a great option on MakerWorld.

I used basic PLA for everything, but you could get fancy with multi-color or transparent filaments if you want a more polished look. Adding labels or icons to the fronts of bins is easy too, and some creators offer versions with embossed symbols already in the files. That kind of polish really helps make the drawer feel intentional and functional.

What I love about Gridfinity

Modular design, remixable files, and community support

Gridfinity isn’t just a storage system; it’s a design language that works across so many different applications. The standardized grid makes it easy to remix or scale bins without needing to start from scratch. That has saved me hours when I needed a slightly different configuration but didn’t want to design something from scratch.

Another highlight is the community. There are thousands of printable models already available, and new ones pop up daily. From holders for tiny SD cards to stackable parts bins with built-in labels, you can almost always find a file that’s close to what you need. I’ve even used other people’s ideas as inspiration and adjusted them to suit my own setup.

Finally, Gridfinity's clean look makes even the most cluttered drawer feel intentional. When everything clicks into place and you can find what you need instantly, it just feels good. And since it's all 3D printable, the only limit is your imagination and a bit of PLA.

Where Gridfinity has some limitations

Not always the best for quick sorting

As much as I love it, Gridfinity does have a few downsides. For one, the system assumes a level of intentionality—if you’re the kind of person who just tosses things in a drawer without thinking, rigid bins might feel like a hassle. You have to commit to sorting, or it doesn’t really pay off.

It also eats up vertical space faster than you might expect. Some of the bins can be pretty tall, and in shallow drawers, that leaves very little room for stacking or variation. While you can remix lower-profile bins, it takes more planning and print time to get the balance right.

Lastly, it’s easy to get caught up in perfectionism. With so many remix options and community designs available, I’ve wasted time chasing “the best” layout instead of just sticking with what worked. If you’re not careful, it can turn into a rabbit hole of endless optimization.

What you’ll need to get started

A 3D printer, PLA, and some measurements

This project is simple to start, especially if you already use Gridfinity or have a printer dialed in for basic PLA. You don’t need advanced tools or software—just accurate measurements and a bit of patience.

1. A ruler, tape measure, or caliper to measure your drawer’s interior
2. A 3D printer (at least 180×180mm build volume is ideal)
3. PLA filament (I used around 500g total)
4. A Gridfinity baseplate generator, such as the one I used or this one from Gridfinity.xyz
5. A selection of Gridfinity-compatible bins based on your needs
6. Optional: 6×3 mm magnets if you want magnetic retention

Start by printing the baseplate and a few test bins. You can scale or trim the bin height if your drawer is shallow, or stack bins if you want to use vertical space. Once you're happy with the layout, print the rest and drop them in.

The best drawer in the house now

My junk drawer is finally under control, thanks to around half a spool of PLA and Gridfinity. It’s the kind of project that solves a daily annoyance and makes a bigger impact than you expect. Whether you're a maker or just someone with a messy drawer, this is an easy win that adds real order to everyday life.