This post is about DIY dresser drawer dividers with hobby boards and adhesive tabs. It’s super easy, budget-friendly, and proves you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get organized.
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I’ve nearly bought adjustable drawer dividers online more times than I care to admit, but the total price always makes me hesitate! Those costs really add up fast.
So when I saw Monica over at @house.of.esperanza build DIY drawer dividers for her kitchen drawer, I was inspired by her to try DIY dresser drawer dividers for my kids’ dresser drawers.
With a few tweaks to @house.of.esperanza’s idea, here’s how mine turned out. I have to say, I’m really proud of the result! I’m so happy with how they look. Below, I show you exactly how I made them, along with tips for keeping those drawers organized.
This post is all about how to DIY dresser drawer dividers.
The Easiest DIY Dresser Drawer Dividers
From the beginning, my goal was to make the drawer dividers adjustable. Similar to the adjustable dividers sold online and in many stores, but without the price tag!
Since I wanted the dividers to be adjustable, using wood glue was not an option. This led me to look for alternatives, and when I came across these adhesive tabs, I instantly knew they were the answer.
With these adhesive tabs, I could attach the dividers to the drawers without damage, and if I ever wanted to move or remove them, the tabs are super easy to take off.
Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t buy those expensive drawer dividers.
Now that you know my process, here’s how you can make them yourself!
Here’s how you can make them yourself!
DIY Drawer Dividers Supply List
- Hobby Board—I used a “poplar hobby board” from The Home Depot. Mine are 0.25 x 3.5 IN x 4 FT. But you should measure your drawers to see what size would fit them.
- Adhesive tabs—24-pack; you can get as many packs as you need. (Update: The original product is sometimes unavailable, so here is a similar 24-pack that works just as well.) It is available here.)
- Mitre Box with Saw—Mine is this one from The Home Depot, but here is another one from Amazon, too.
- Measuring Tape
- Sandpaper
- Pencil
DIY Drawer Dividers Step-By-Step
Step 1: Prepare the drawers
First, you want to empty the drawer you will be starting with. Then, pull the drawer out if you can, vacuum it, and wipe it clean. Pulling the drawer out makes it easier to work with.
Tip: For extra cuteness, you can add contact paper to the bottoms of each drawer.
Step 2: Measure the drawers and apply adhesive tabs
You want to measure based on the direction you want the board dividers to sit on the drawers.
For example, I measured the depth of my boards to determine the size to cut them to, so my dividers would go front-to-back.
Then, I measured the width to see how many board dividers I could fit into each drawer. With my drawers, I could add two dividers per drawer, giving me three sections.
Then, lightly mark precisely where the board dividers will go inside the drawer with a pencil and apply the adhesive tabs.
Step 3: Measure, cut, and sand the boards.
Measure and mark the boards according to the measurements of your drawers to determine the size to cut them.
I cut mine with the Mitre Box and saw, but you can use whatever cutting tool you have. You can also get them cut at your local hardware store. I know The Home Depot near my house offers this service, but first double-check that yours does before going.
Once you cut the boards, you may need to lightly sand the cut edges. You do not need a sander for this; use sandpaper.
Tip: If the boards don’t match your drawer color and/or you prefer a certain color, you can stain or paint them.
Step 4: Check that the board fits, then insert it in place.
Since you already stuck all the adhesive tabs in place earlier, you can easily slide the board through the top opening of the adhesive tab on both sides. If, for any reason, the board is off in size, make the necessary adjustments until it fits snugly.
And boom, you’re done! Repeat the steps for however many dividers you want to make.
Here is one of mine that is finished and in use. What a beautifully organized dresser drawer! The organizer in me is very, very happy with these results.
Total Cost For DIY Drawer Dividers
Lastly, is it worth making your own custom drawer dividers when you can buy something similar online? You decide.
I thought it was worth it, not just because it was way more affordable, but also because I could customize the drawers however I wanted when I made them myself.
However, I’ll share the total breakdown of the cost per divider compared to buying pre-made. Maybe that’ll help you decide whether this is worth doing yourself.
- Poplar Hobby Board (based on the size I used: 0.25 x 3.5 IN x 4 FT): About $6.00 per board, and I could make three dividers from each board, so each divider cost me about $2.00.
- Adhesive Tabs: I bought a 24-pack for about $24.00, totaling $1.00 per adhesive tab. You need two adhesive tabs per divider, which cost $2.00.
Hobby Board = $2.00 + Adhesive tabs x 2 = $2.00 = $4.00 per divider!
I don’t know about you, but $4.00 per divider is a steal! Especially compared to the ones you can buy. These are sturdy and will last a very long time.
How to Keep Your Drawers Organized Long-Term
Making your own drawer dividers is simple. However, keeping your drawers organized over time is often the real challenge.
To maintain organization, I find it helpful to include decluttering as part of my regular cleaning routine rather than waiting until things become overwhelming.
Building on that, at home, I space out drawer cleanouts throughout the year so I never have to do a massive purge. This approach fits into the daily, weekly, and deep cleaning routines I use for the rest of my house.
If you’re interested in following an easy, step-by-step routine to stay organized and keep your home clean, click here to learn more about my full home cleaning system and see if it fits your needs.
So what do you think? Are you trying this super easy DIY? Trust me, you won’t regret it! I finally finished all my kids’ drawers; now I’m moving on to my dresser drawers.
This post was all about a super-easy way to DIY dresser drawer dividers.
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