home / Buying guide

OXO’s expandable utensil organiser: give the awkward tools a home too

A drawer can look orderly and still jam every time a serving spoon turns sideways. Plan for the long, awkward things—not just the forks.

We earn commissions from purchases through these links.

See OXO Good Grips Large Expandable Utensil Organizer, White on Amazon ↗

Make a drawer that opens without a shuffle

GROUPCutlery and long toolsDiscard unused duplicates
MEASUREInside the drawerCheck the closing height
ARRANGEFrequently used firstLeave room to lift things out

Start with the tools you reach for

Empty the drawer and group the things you actually use. Everyday cutlery belongs together; a long serving spoon, peeler and bulky gadget may need a different kind of space. Remove duplicates you never choose before deciding how many compartments you need.

OXO’s Large Expandable Utensil Organizer uses adjustable dividers for cutlery and an expanding area for longer items. That is the appeal: you can plan around a real mix of tools rather than pretending every object is the length of a teaspoon.

Measure the drawer on the inside

Check the usable width, depth and height, including the space beneath any crosspiece or hardware. Compare the maker’s closed and expanded dimensions with those measurements. “Expandable” does not mean it can fit every drawer.

Make a paper outline at the intended size and arrange your longest tools on it. Leave the drawer enough room to close when the tools sit naturally. A ladle handle that stands above the tray can still be the thing that catches.

Adjust for the contents, not the picture

OXO describes dividers that let utensils stack in opposite directions. Use that flexibility to suit your cutlery, but keep the items easy to identify and lift out. A tightly packed drawer can be tidy without being pleasant to use.

Keep frequently used tools within an easy reach and reserve awkward corners for less frequent items. If you have to move three things to retrieve a peeler, change the arrangement. The point is an easier cooking routine, not filling every available slot.

Large tray or compact cutlery organiser?

Choose this direction when the drawer needs to hold different tool shapes. Choose a narrow, tiered cutlery organiser when forks and spoons are the main job and side-to-side space is scarce. Tiered designs have their own height requirements, so compare the whole fit rather than the width alone.

If the drawer still cannot close comfortably, storing a few large tools elsewhere may solve more than a new tray. Measure once, try the arrangement with what you own and buy the organiser that supports that plan.

See OXO Good Grips Large Expandable Utensil Organizer, White on Amazon ↗

Product details & instructions

Maker specifications and guidance

Your interests. Your inbox.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Choose your spaces. When we have something wonderful to share, you’ll hear from us.

Sign up here

Choose your spaces.

Wonderful finds and useful updates, with only the categories you choose.

Which spaces interest you? Select at least one.