Keep Your Sock Drawer Neat & Tidy With An Organizing Hack That's Practically Free

When you're sorting larger items like T-shirts and pants, file folding can help you get organized — but it's not that easy with socks and underwear. Smalls tend to have a mind of their own, and unless you're Marie Kondo, there's no way you're folding them into submission. Store-bought drawer organizers might not be that pricey, but there's always a chance they won't fit. Plus, they're usually gray, wood-toned, or some other shade of boring. Fortunately, there's a way you can turn your sock or underwear drawer from chaotic to calm — and make it look the part too.

This budget-friendly DIY accordion drawer organizer opens up into compartments that can comfortably house your socks. It's ideal for anyone working with limited closet space, and it's a fun weekend morning project if you're aiming to declutter without spending a fortune. Best of all, it works just as well for underwear as it does for socks — and the accordion design expands or contracts to fit your needs. All you need to get started are a few basic supplies you might already have on hand.

To get started, you'll need five sheets of felt — ideally pre-cut to around 20x30 cm, or 8x12 inches. Pre-cut felt is typically available at craft stores, which saves you cutting them yourself and helps ensure consistency. Lay one sheet horizontally and add two vertical lines of hot glue, dividing the surface into three equal columns. Press a second felt sheet directly on top. This time, add three vertical glue lines, dividing it into four columns. Continue alternating between two and three glue lines as you layer the remaining sheets, finishing with five in total.

Next, cut the glued stack in half horizontally. Add three glue lines to one piece and press the other half on top. When you gently pull the layers open from the sides, the structure expands into an accordion, ready to put into your drawer. The organizer easily holds socks or underwear, and the flexible design means it can expand or contract depending on your drawer size. Now you no longer have to worry about folding your underwear for neat and tidy drawers. Simply drop each item into its individual "home," and close the drawer. Easy peasy!

Once your accordion drawer organizer is in place, there's plenty of room to personalize it to match your space and style. One of the simplest ways to elevate your DIY is by switching up the materials — try fabric or reinforced cardboard instead of felt, or line the compartments with velvet, waterproof cloth, or burlap depending on what you're storing. There's no need to stop with socks and underwear, you can use it to store everything from office supplies to makeup and beauty products. 

You can also add details like buttons, lace trim, or embroidery if you want your organizer to double as a design feature, not just a practical tool. Tailor the look to different rooms — think fun prints for a kid's drawer or a more neutral palette for a minimalist vibe. Lastly, labels are a smart way to keep things organized. You don't need a label maker to make chic home labels, either. In fact, writing them by hand adds to your project's creative appeal. Once done, you'll have a customized organizer you'll love.