14 Kitchen Drawers That Always Had the Same Random Stuff
Many kitchens had a specific drawer filled with the same mix of odd, everyday items that weren’t used often but were always there.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
In nearly every home, there was a kitchen drawer that became a catch-all for random things. These drawers weren’t planned or organized, but somehow, they all ended up holding similar items. This list looks at 14 things commonly found in those drawers across homes and families.
1. Takeout Menus
KathmanduFoodies on Wikimedia Commons
Many kitchens had a stack of paper menus from local restaurants. Some were out of date, torn, or from places that had already closed. Even after people started using food delivery apps, the menus stayed. They were kept just in case someone needed to order the old-fashioned way.
2. Rubber Bands
Bill Ebbesen on Wikimedia Commons
Rubber bands were often saved from grocery items or produce bundles. People tossed them into the drawer, planning to reuse them someday. Most were never touched again, and over time, they stuck together or snapped. Still, they felt too useful to throw away.
3. Expired Coupons
Carol Pyles on Wikimedia Commons
At some point, someone decided to save grocery or fast-food coupons in the drawer. They usually sat there long past their expiration dates. Some were bundled with rubber bands or clipped with paper clips. People kept them thinking they might save money, even if they never did.
4. Twist Ties
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
Twist ties were removed from bread bags or vegetable packages and dropped into the drawer. They tangled with each other and often changed shape. Even though most new packaging came with resealable seals, the twist ties remained. They were considered handy but rarely used.
5. Batteries (Used or Unknown)
Brianiac on Wikimedia Commons
There were often a few AA or AAA batteries sitting loose in the drawer. Some worked, but no one remembered which ones did. Instead of testing or throwing them away, they stayed in the mix. This made the drawer a guessing game whenever batteries were needed.
6. Pens That Didn’t Work
Lucasbosch on Wikimedia Commons
Several pens would be lying around, but many didn’t write anymore. People tested them quickly, then returned them to the drawer without fixing the issue. A working pen was hard to find when needed. Still, nobody threw the others away.
7. Random Keys
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The drawer often held keys with no label and no known use. Some were from old locks, sheds, or mystery places. They stayed in the drawer for years, just in case their purpose was remembered later. No one ever wanted to risk throwing out the “important” one.
8. Loose Screws and Nails
Ralf Roletschek on Wikimedia Commons
A few small hardware items, like nails, screws, or wall anchors, were mixed in. They didn’t belong in the kitchen, but people didn’t have a better place for them. They rolled around or got stuck in corners. These items were saved with the thought that they might be needed for a fix someday.
9. Tape That Barely Stuck
Srini297 on Wikimedia Commons
There might be a roll of tape that had dried out or lost its stick. It was kept in case it still worked for something minor. Every time someone used it, it barely held and ended up frustrating them. Yet it was never replaced or removed.
10. Old Scissors
Crisco 1492 on Wikimedia Commons
A pair of scissors, often dull or sticky, lived in the drawer. They weren’t sharp enough for real tasks but could still open plastic bags or packaging. People didn’t want to throw them away because they technically still worked. They stayed there as the go-to pair for anything quick.
11. Birthday Candles
Joey Gannon on Wikimedia Commons
Tiny birthday candles, often bent or missing a few, were saved in little plastic bags. They came from past parties or leftover packs. People kept them in case they needed a quick set for an unexpected birthday. Over the years, colors faded, but they stayed untouched.
12. Bag Clips
Ser Amantio di Nicolao on Wikimedia Commons
There were always extra bag clips, some broken, some missing parts. They were used for closing chip bags, cereal boxes, or frozen food. When the working ones were in use, these backup clips waited in the drawer. Many were never needed but were still kept.
13. Mismatched Measuring Spoons
Jersyko on Wikimedia Commons
Half-sets of measuring spoons were thrown into the drawer, often missing key sizes. Sometimes only one or two from a set remained. They weren’t used often, but they stayed around just in case. No one remembered where the rest of the set had gone.
14. Takeout Sauce Packets
Willis Lam on Wikimedia Commons
Soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, and duck sauce packets from takeout orders piled up over time. Many leaked or dried up in the drawer corners. People rarely used them but couldn’t bring themselves to toss them. They were saved for emergencies that never came.