Almost everyone has the catch-all space for things that don’t seem to fit anywhere – most of the time, it’s that one drawer. Whether it’s a tangle of cables, a missing battery’s twin, a collection of miscellaneous items saved “just in case,” mystery keys, or pebbles and shells from past vacations, the maker community is now excited about a 3D printing trend providing a chance to organize it all!
No more rummaging through the drawer: enter Gridfinity, a modular storage system that has made waves across maker communities, studios, workshops, and even everyday households. It became popular online through open-source 3D-printable files: the system is built around a simple yet brilliant concept of a uniform base grid paired with interlocking bins of any size or shape. With access to a 3D printer, you can create containers custom-tailored to the objects you actually have in that drawer, not theoretical “standard” sizes available in stores.
From TicToc to Thingiverse to GitHub, Gridfinity has been all over the makers’ space, providing secure spots for keys, SD cards, and bolts. The clever trend provides a standardized footprint that keeps everything neatly in place. The units click into the base plate, so drawers, desks, tool chests, and shelves stay orderly even when moved or bumped. Since the ecosystem is community-driven, new designs appear constantly, from magnetic lids to hinged compartments and label-ready fronts.
So, if you feel like it’s time to do some organizing, 3D printing has got you covered – check out the trend to create a system that is personal, sustainable, and endlessly reconfigurable. Say goodbye to your old “junk drawer” and welcome its new iteration – familiar, functional, and maybe even fun to open.
