The Best Utensil Organizing Trays for Tidier Drawers

There’s nothing worse than a dirty, stained, dented silverware-organizing tray—unless it’s no tray at all, and you have to reach into a drawer full of sharp pointy things. They come in an array of materials and sizes and designs; some of your choice will depend on the size of your drawer, but there are still a few things to keep in mind.

There are a couple of different common materials you’ll find in utensil trays. One of the most common is bamboo, and for good reason. It’s inexpensive, extremely durable, easy to clean and attractive. It also can be—though isn’t necessarily—much more environmentally friendly than wood, because bamboo, which is a grass, grows extremely quickly.

Utensil trays are super useful for forks, spoons, chopsticks and other items, but there are some you should never place in there. Kitchen knives, including chef’s knives, santokus, cleavers and serrated knives, should be kept in a knife block or on a magnetic strip. Those devices, unlike a utensil tray, keep those sensitive blades separate from other metal tools; if they bang around, they can dull or chip a knife blade.

Many utensil trays are adjustable in some way, which is great for renters, anyone who moves a lot or someone building their first kitchen. Whether bamboo, metal or plastic, this design can be super useful: you’ll have versatility in both the amount of compartments you have, and in the total footprint of the tray.