How to Organize Your Jewelry So It's Tidy and Untangled

How to Organize Jewelry in a Drawer or on a Shelf

Step 1: Gather Jewelry and Winnow

• Pull out all your jewelry. If you haven't organized it in a while, you may be grabbing it from various places: drawers, bedside tables, boxes under the bed, or a jewelry tree on a dresser.
• Put it all on a table to determine how much you have and what storage you'll need.
• Set aside any unwanted jewelry to donate.

Step 2: Dedicate a Jewelry Drawer or Shelf

Assign a drawer or shelf just for jewelry.

• Choose a room or closet where the air temperature doesn't get too extreme and where it won't be in direct sunlight.
• If you have silver pieces, keep them in a room with low humidity to avoid tarnishing.
• Shallow drawers are preferable so the jewelry is easily accessible. Of course, deeper drawers work best if you have stackable jewelry trays.
  

Step 3: Choose Your Containers

One option is to outfit the drawer with a jewelry drawer organizer, which has variously-sized compartments for different types of jewelry. Liz Vaccariello, Real Simple's former editor-in-chief, stores her large earring collection in storage trays from The Container Store.

• Gray stackable jewelry tray system ($11 - $17, containerstore.com)
• ProCase set of 4 stackable jewelry organizer trays ($30, amazon.com)

But a jewelry organizer isn't strictly necessary. Many items throughout your home can be also repurposed as in-drawer dividers for jewelry. For example:

• Original jewelry packaging box
• Egg crates
• Teacups
• Box tops

Step 4: Divide Jewelry by Style

If you use different containers, place similar jewels and pieces together within each container.

• Set chunky bracelets in a bowl.
• Hang chandelier earrings over the edge of a cup.
• Put studs and rings in the smallest compartments.
• Limit groupings to no more than a few pieces to avoid overcrowding, so you can see all your options at a glance.
• If using trays, stash in-season items on top and lesser-worn pieces toward the bottom.

How to Organize Jewelry on Your Vanity

Step 1: Set Up a "Grab and Go" Space for Rings and Bracelets

Designate a small dish or a ring cone to hold the accessories you reach for every day. Leaving them out means you won't have to search for them—and you'll always remember to wear them.

Step 2: Design a Display for Earrings and Necklaces

To make things look pretty, arrange your collection like one you'd see at a store, putting favorite pieces on jewelry stands or trees. To keep your baubles dust-free, set out a few jewelry cases or boxes. Or arrange a mix of both. Here are some good options:

• Six-tier jewelry holder
• Jewelry case
• Acrylic earring organizer ($12, containerstore.com)
• Acrylic jewelry stand ($18, containerstore.com)
  

Step 3: Allow Dainty Chains to Hang Loose

To prevent daintier, fine-chain necklaces or bracelets from getting tangled or misplaced, drape each one over a separate peg on a clear carousel ($10, amazon.com).

How to Organize Jewelry on the Wall

Step 1: Use Vertical Space

• Hang long or chunky pieces from hooks (on a rod or directly mounted to the wall) to keep them orderly and within reach. Bonus: It's a sturdy solution for your heavier pieces.
• If you have a large collection of necklaces, get multiple hook racks, like the Lusso Hook Rack ($68; anthropologie.com) for necklaces of different lengths: one for chokers, one for statement necklaces, and one for longer pieces.

Step 2: Find a Double-Duty Solution

If you prefer to keep your jewelry tucked away, a shallow-hanging mirror organizer is a practical fix. The Wall-Mounted Jewelry Armoire ($203, homedepot.com) opens up to reveal a series of hooks and racks to stash all your accessories.

Step 3: Frame It Out

Fabric memo boards are ideal for earrings. Slide the earring back all the way onto the post and push into the memo board (like a thumbtack). To hang lightweight necklaces, drape them over pretty pushpins.