How to Organize Necklaces

Last Updated: December 1, 2022 References

If your necklaces always end up in a tangled mess, it's time to get them organized. You can use a drawer to house your collection, as long as you employ some handy techniques to keep them separated. Alternatively, hang your necklaces up on display, adding sparkle to your decor. Another option is to use jewelry boxes or trays to have your jewelry within easy reach. Once you choose your favorite solution, arrange your necklaces by color and style so it's easy to pick out what you need.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Drawer

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Separate necklaces with plastic straws for a cheap organizer. Cut a straw down one side with a box cutter or craft knife to create one long slit. Thread one side of the necklace through the slit so that side of the necklace is held in place by the straw. The straw will help keep the necklace from tangling with other necklaces.^{[1]
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- Lay the necklaces out flat in the drawer. Line the bottom of the drawer with a piece of velvet to keep the necklaces from sliding around.
- Fasten the ends shut so the strands aren't loose.
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Add inserts specifically for jewelry for an easy solution. Find trays with long slots in them that you can lay in the drawers. Your necklaces can go in the trays, keeping them safe and organized.^{[2]
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Research source} You can even use plastic silverware dividers for this purpose.^{[3]
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Organize your beaded necklaces with spice jars. Spice jars usually have just enough space to fit a single necklace. Put one necklace in each jar, and place them in your drawer. Place a non-skid surface underneath to keep the jars from sliding around.^{[4]
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- Some spice jars are magnetic, so if you prefer, you can use the magnets to attach them to a mirror or metal surface instead of putting them in the drawer.
- Stick to beaded necklaces, as delicate necklaces might get tangled up in the jars.
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Place your most used necklaces in a teacup on your dresser. Grab an old teacup from your kitchen, and place your everyday necklaces in it. Alternatively, if you have a deeper drawer with extra space, you can line multiple teacups up in the drawer. Place a necklace in each cup to keep them organized.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Hanging up Your Necklaces

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Add hooks to a wall for a permanent solution. If you don't mind adding holes to your wall, you can simply screw hooks into the wall. Space them at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart horizontally, so your necklaces don't get tangled. You can even hide them somewhere, such as behind a hinged mirror or behind the clothes in your closet.^{[6]
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- Measure your necklaces so you know how long they are. That way, you leave enough space between rows if you need more than one row.
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Hang necklaces from a key holder. You can find key holders at big box stores, thrift stores, and home organization stores. One usually consists of a small plaque with hooks at the bottom to hang keys from. Since the hooks are already built in, all you need to do is hang up the key holder and put your necklaces on it.
- Place the holder somewhere convenient, such as in your bathroom or closet.
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Use decorative knobs on a piece of driftwood for a rustic look. Find decorative drawer knobs at home improvement stores, flea markets, and/or big box stores. Screw them into a piece of flat driftwood in a row about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Hang the necklaces on the knobs.^{[7]
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- This hanging method is decorative, so you can simply hang it on the wall by your bed or closet.
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Try a jewelry tree to hang a few necklaces. If you don't have more than 5 or 10 necklaces, a jewelry tree can be a good option. You can find these at craft stores, big box stores, or online. They have branches where you can hang your necklaces as you go.
- This option usually doesn't work for more necklaces because jewelry trees usually don't have enough branches to hang them all individually.
- You can also create your own jewelry tree from tree branches. Gather tree branches from your yard. Arrange them in a heavy, pretty vase. You may need to add glass beads to the vase to weigh the branches down.^{[8]
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Cover cork board with fabric for an option that won't damage your walls. Choose a piece of sturdy cork board. Stretch fabric over it one way, and attach it to the back with thumbtacks or staples. Stretch it the other way, and secure it to the back with thumbtacks or staples. Smooth out any wrinkles and secure the fabric at the corners. Add thumb tacks to the front to hang your necklaces from.^{[9]
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- Place the cork board on a vanity or dresser, and lean it against the wall for easy placement.
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Secure branches together for a natural look. Pick up some branches from your backyard or a nearby park. Use yarn or zip-ties where 2 branches meet to secure them together in an arrangement you like. Hang the branches on the wall, and hang your necklaces from the branches.^{[10]
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Frame necklaces in a drawer or shadow box to make them easy to move. Paint an old drawer or shadow box in a color you like. Cover the inside panel with cork board, and then decorate the cork board with fabric or paint. Use pins or thumbtacks to hang your necklaces from, and hang the drawer or shadow box on the wall.^{[11]
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- Alternatively, screw or glue in knobs to hang necklaces from.
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Arrange shower hooks on a towel rod for a quick solution. Screw a towel rod into the wall or a door. Hang s-shaped shower hooks on the towel rod, and spread them out evenly. Place your necklaces on the hooks, lining them up by style or color.^{[12]
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Use a pocket organizer to keep necklaces separated. A pocket organizer is a piece of fabric with pockets in it and a hook at the top. Place a necklace in each pocket, arranged by color or style. Hang the organizer in an easily accessible place.^{[13]
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- Some of these organizers have zippers on the pockets, making the organizer a breeze to take with you on trips.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Organizing with Boxes and Trays

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Pick a decorative tray for an easy way to lay out necklaces. Choose a large decorative tray that's wide enough to hold your necklaces length-wise. Lay them out in a row in the tray, organizing by color or style as you go.^{[14]
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- The tray doesn't need to be made for jewelry. Try using a vintage serving tray, for instance.
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Organize necklaces in the cardboard boxes the jewelry came in. No matter where you buy jewelry, you often end up with small cardboard boxes. Use paperclips to attach them together. Set 2 bottoms side-by-side, and put the paperclip over the joined edges. Lay the boxes out in shallow drawer or tray. Place a necklace in each jewelry box.^{[15]
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Hide more expensive pieces in individual jewelry boxes. It's fine to let costume jewelry be out in the open, but you should protect more expensive jewelry from dust and damage. Place each necklace in its own jewelry box, and put the boxes away for safe keeping.^{[16]
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- You can also use jewelry boxes that have individual spaces for necklaces. Many of these are decorative and will look lovely sitting on a dresser or vanity.