How to Make a DIY K-Cup Drawer Organizer
Transform your messy coffee drawer with this easy DIY K-Cup drawer organizer tutorial! Learn how to organize coffee pods using plywood and basic tools in just a few hours.

If you have been around here a while, you may have heard me talk about the fact that I don’t drink coffee. But with a husband who is an avid coffee drinker, I still find myself dealing with the chaos of coffee pods scattered all over the drawer.
The problem is that the drawer below the coffee maker is used to store not only coffee pods, but also miscellaneous kitchen tools.
Every time I opened the drawer, it was the same story—pods rolling around, taking up valuable space and making it impossible to find what anyone was looking for. I don’t even drink coffee, but this mess was driving me crazy!
That’s why I decided to build a DIY K-Cup drawer organizer.
It’s an easy project you can complete in just a couple of hours using plywood and a few basic tools, even if you’re a beginner.
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Material Needed
- ½” plywood
- cut into a piece to fit your drawer. I cut mine 17¾” x 9 ½”.
- Cut into 1½” strips in lengths to fit the drawer.
- 1¾” Forstener bit
- Wood Glue
- 1 ¼” Finish nails
- Paint or stain (optional)
- Top Coat. I used this one.
Tools Needed
Step-By-Step Tutorial
Step 1: Measure Your Drawer
- Measure the interior dimensions of the drawer.
- Add about 1/8″ clearance on all sides to ensure the organizer fits snugly but can still be removed easily.
Step 2: Cut the Plywood
- Cut the plywood to size for the top using a circular saw or table saw.
- Cut the 1½” wide strips of plywood using a miter saw or a miter box. These should be the length of the top plywood.
Step 3: Drill Holes for K-Cups
- Mark a grid layout using a ruler or straight edge on the top plywood.
- Below is the spacing and layout I used. You can add or remove the total number of holes based on the size of your plywood. I had space for 32 holes.
- Using a 1¾” Forstner bit to make precise, clean holes.
Originally, I started drilling holes with a drill. But as I made the 5th hole, I realized I needed a little more help to make things go faster and not cramp my hand. So, I switched to the drill press.
Preventing tearout: The problem with plywood is that the outer layers are very thin and prone to tearout. To prevent the tearout of the bottom, I went almost all the way through, then turned the board over and completed the hole.
Step 4: Assemble the Organizer
- Attach the 1½” plywood strips underneath the sheet of drilled plywood using wood glue and finish nails.
Step 5: Finish
- Paint or stain the plywood to match your kitchen or drawer aesthetic.
- Apply a sealant to protect the organizer, especially if it might encounter moisture or spills. I was already using prefinished plywood, so I skipped this.
That is it!
It is time to put it in and fill it up.
That messy, cluttered drawer filled with rolling coffee pods is now completely transformed. Every pod has its own spot, neatly lined up and ready to grab. No more digging around or wasting time trying to find the right one—it’s all right there, easy to see and use.
I also made a drawer organizer for the rest of the tools, and now, opening the drawer feels so satisfying – like everything is finally under control.
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Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"