If you began working remotely during the pandemic, chances are you probably have a few desk organization ideas in your back pocket. But as most people know, keeping a work-from-home station clutter-free and sans sticky notes all over the place can be a challenge.
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Whether you live in a 400-square-foot studio apartment or in a sprawling five-bedroom house, your workspace needs to be as productive as possible. Anyone who has opened a desk drawer to find it a mess of office supplies (but not one paper clip in sight) can attest that good organizing office ideas are crucial. It may feel that managing your desk space is the most daunting task in the world, but it will save you time in the long run.
“First, clear everything out and take inventory,” instructs Julie Dykema, director of in-home organizing at the Container Store. “If your space is small, you need to simplify and only keep the essentials around you—too much clutter can be overwhelming and distracting,” she says.
Dykema takes an organized desk seriously: “My desk has a notepad and a pen. That’s it!” she exclaims. “Take advantage of your company’s resource room or copy area to house backstock of paper and office supplies, and just keep the essentials at your fingertips.” For those working from home, without a supply room, allocate the necessary but rarely used items into storage boxes and place them on a designated bookshelf or inside a closet.
“It’s about understanding what you truly need—and don’t need—in order to live comfortably and contentedly,” writes Whitney Leigh Morris in her book, Small Space Style: Because You Don’t Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully. Nowhere is this approach more important than in a home office, where papers and cables are constantly accumulating.
Below, find 45 brilliant desk organization ideas to build your most productive workspace.
The best way to organize your desk space is to think not only about its function, but also about your work and design style. “Your desk should be organized by what you use most every day,” says Carly Cicero, principal at Cicero Design Group in Youngstown, Ohio. “If you use an item daily, it should be within reach from your desk chair. If you don’t use it daily, it should be hidden in whatever storage you may have.” If you’re the type of person who is a minimalist, the process should be fairly straightforward and you probably already have a designated space for your notepad, pens, and documents. On the other hand, if you love knickknacks and tend to be more of a free spirit, then reining in all your office supplies can feel like a challenge. Embrace who you are and lean into office organization with your quirks in mind. If your desk is always a mess, make sure you have plenty of storage boxes to give you guidance and assist in keeping the desk space clutter-free.
1. When in doubt, pare back“Less is always more,” says Amy Kalikow of Amy Kalikow Design, based in Manhattan, New York. Clean uncluttered rooms, especially offices, make for fewer distractions and a nice background for Zoom calls, the designer says, noting that keeping things simple and personal is always best. “There are many options for hidden storage and functional desk space,” she adds.
2. Elevate the monitor with a riserThough desktop computers are sleeker than ever, their accessories can clutter up a workspace. Dykema suggests buying a monitor riser, which can help not only bring your webcam up to eye level, but also creates vertical space for storage underneath. An acrylic riser is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of even the largest monitors and offers added storage with drawers, so you can easily access daily supplies like a planner and favorite pens. For a laptop, use a Quartet riser with a glass dry-erase board to keep those pesky sticky notes at bay. You can also mount hardware like external hard drives to the underside of your table to keep an organized desk.
3. Wrangle cablesManage multiple cords with cable sleeves, which corral numerous wires into one bundle that you attach to the underside of a desk. Or, if you’re plagued by just one or two cords, keep them in place via small peel-and-stick clips that adhere to nearly any hard surface without damaging its finish. You can also pack cords out of sight when not in use in a handsome, compact kit that can sit on your desk without distracting from your decor.
4. Minimize random pensWhen it comes to office organization, think like this: One in, one out. Use this mantra to maintain order. If you buy a new fancy pen, get rid of the old ones you got for free that have been rolling around in your desk drawer. As Marie Kondo says, only keep things that truly spark joy.
5. Find a place for everythingThe easiest way for a mess to get out of hand is if you don’t have a designated spot for your desk accessories. If you’re having trouble honing down the ever growing collection of paper clutter, notebooks, and folders, take advantage of the vertical space on your desk with paper tray organizers from Amazon that stack on top of each other.
6. Compartmentalize the chaosIf CleanTok and restock-Tok have taught you anything, it’s that no drawer is fully organized unless each of your belongings is perfectly in place—that’s where drawer dividers come in. These drawer organizers can be mixed and matched to perfectly fit the dimensions of your drawer and are perfect for storing paper clips, push pins, sticky notes, and more.
7. Invest in multitaskersIt’s always better if you can find organizational pieces that serve multiple functions. These adorable flower pot-shaped bookends are perfect for propping up books in your home office, but can also be used as pencil cups or succulent planters.
A sleek desk design can be just what your office needs, but if the silhouette is without drawers or a cabinet, keeping the surface area clutter-free can be problematic. To deal with a minimalist home office, consider the essentials. If a desktop is all you need, invest in a riser with built-in storage boxes. Keep the rest of the tabletop clear, perhaps only with a notepad and a pen for your to-do list. Decorate the rest of the office with floating shelves, a filing cabinet, and perhaps a pegboard to keep the rest of the office supplies from spilling over onto your organized desk.
8. Disguise desk storage“Use decorative desktop storage that conceals contents but is labeled to ensure you know where everything is,” Dykema advises. The Container Store’s Bigso Collection, which has everything from magazine holders to paper trays, comes in a variety of colors to suit your decor and is made of recycled materials.
9. Utilize external storageDykema also recommends investing in a separate storage unit to help keep your desk clutter-free. An external filing cabinet, like this mango wood cane piece from Urban Outfitters, can significantly increase your storage space and contribute to your office organization aesthetic. If you want to keep things out of the way and have ample closet space, maybe opt for something like a tiered cart that can easily move in and out of your office. And if you really have some space to spare, use a full bookshelf or other shelving unit as office storage.
10. Or bookshelvesIn lieu of a storage unit, bookshelves can help you keep random items from taking over your desk, too. Bookshelves offer ample space to store books, binders, and decorative items, keeping them organized and within reach, says Lauren Lerner, founder of Living with Lolo in Scottsdale, Arizona. “They also allow for vertical storage, which is particularly beneficial in maximizing space in smaller offices,” adds Lerner.
11. Hang it upThough a bathroom accessory may seem like an unlikely candidate for a DIY desk organization project, a towel bar that matches your decor can actually be incredibly helpful in a room where desk storage is nonexistent. Find a minimalist design, pair with a few S-hooks to hang up things like scissors, glasses, or pencil cups. The best part is that this design is completely tailored and can be adjusted to your needs.
12. Befriend built-ins“Vertical space can be really underestimated sometimes. Perhaps you don't have a big footprint for your work surface, but you have more height; use shelves above to minimize desktop clutter,” says Laura Tribbett, principal and founder of Outline Interiors in Chicago. “Boxes for file storage, any reference books, picture frames, clocks, and calendars can all be re-located above and create some nice styling moments when done well,” she adds.
An organized desk at home is one that utilizes the space without going overboard with desk accessories. Yes, these can seem like a storage solution for wrangling pens, paper clips, and sticky notes, but think about whether you actually use all those office supplies on a daily basis. The goal should be to only keep what you need; the rest can be relegated to nearby bookshelves and on the wall space. Consider a wall desk if your office space is on the small side. If that’s not an option, Cicero recommends stackable organizers. “Create vertical organized space versus horizontal organized space. This will leave more work space on your desk,” she says.
13. Create a double duty workspaceLow on square footage? Befriend multi-use nooks in your home. “Since this small workstation doubles as a nightstand, proper organization is crucial,” says Lerner. To that point, Lerner stresses that using desk organizers such as trays, bins, and drawer dividers keeps pens, paper clips, and other small items neatly arranged and that cable management is also crucial; Consider a minimalist approach to the items you keep on your desk surface, prioritizing only what you use daily and finding dedicated spots for everything else to maximize surface area. Regularly declutter and reassess your setup to ensure it remains efficient and conducive to productivity.
14. Use multi-functional accessoriesCorey Pence, senior manager of in-home organizing services at The Container Store in Dallas, loves making the most of your desk space with multi-use storage tools. Personally, she’s a big fan of the brand’s Everything Organizer monitor stand with drawer. “Not only does it free up surface space on your desk, but it features built-in drawers for organizing pens, sticky notes, tape and charging cords,” she says. Another good desk organizing workhorse? The Poppin All-in-One Desktop Organizer which includes removable dividers and cord management openings in the back.
15. Shred itYou can shred the occasional paper bill or personal file safely with a hand-operated shredder that’s about the size of a pair of sunglasses. If you need to shred a significant number of documents only once or twice a year, take them to an office supply center that offers bulk shredding. There’s just no reason to buy and store your own industrial paper shredder.
16. Hide a wireless printerWhy would anyone keep a mammoth printer on the desk surface area? Think of the untapped real estate. Even cleverly designed compact models are an eyesore and intrude on the aesthetics of a carefully decorated, multifunctional home office. Instead, store a small wireless printer out of sight—a large desk drawer or closet shelf does the trick—and connect to all your devices; that way you can print that memo if you decide to WFH on the couch.
17. Digitize as much as possibleBanish boxes of receipts, financial records, medical documents, business cards, photos, and more with a compact scanner—some models are no larger than a thick ruler. Or use apps like iScanner which turn any piece of paper into a PDF for saving and sharing, complete with distortion correction and accurate automatic cropping. In general, Ryan Eisland, professional organizer at Home Sort in Sacramento, California, goes as far as suggesting clients scan and discard most paperwork, and/or doing an annual clean-out of receipts, bills, and other paper items. Once you convert the documents into a digital format, shred the originals if you don’t need them, and then organize files electronically. Be sure to back them up on an external hard drive and cloud storage.
18. Move lighting to the floorThose crunched for space to even fit a desk lamp can look to a floor lamp instead. You’ll still have a well-lit work station—your table top just won’t be as cluttered. Make sure the lamp arcs at the top or has a boom joint, so it can shine directly over your desk.
19. Look up for your scheduleWhether it’s a monthly planner to keep track of important dates or a cork board to pin up the to-do list, the wall space above your desk is pretty useful too. Anything from floating shelves to DIY modular pegboard storage boxes can help move clutter off your desk and onto the wall.
20. Conceal chargers“Use clips and cable ties to keep cords tangle-free and out of sight,” says Lerner. Tangled cables can really occupy valuable real estate on your desk, so do your best to put the chargers away if you can. Some desks have built-in USBs and outlets that you just plug into the wall, or you can attempt to reverse-engineer your existing desk.
21. Save space with modular designAdd personality to a cramped work area with small, functional items like a modular desk organizer. Not only is it super sleek and stylish, but the customizable design is perfect for an ever-changing workflow.
22. Create a catchall for chargersFew wireless chargers are as sleek and compact as this station from Courant, and even better, it frees up any space even in a small cubicle that could be occupied by cables. This multitasking charger accommodates both your iPhone and AirPods. Plus, it props up your , so you never miss out on notifications.
23. Make it homeyYour small office desk might not have space for a full picture frame, but this small dual frame holds two Instax prints, so you have just enough space for a portrait of your SO and fur baby.
24. Sort through papersGive yourself five minutes at the end of the week to tidy up your space. Messes can build up quickly in a small area, and an organized office desk can only be achieved if you put in a little time to clear out the week’s mess. Annoying as it is to sort through notepads and sticky notes, you’ll be glad you did when it’s time to actually find something you need. Use a caddy or a divider, like the one from Marie Kondo’s bamboo collaboration collection, to keep your documents in order.
If you’re going to spend eight hours at your desk, make sure you’re not uncomfortable. In addition to thinking about storage solutions, find cozy hacks to help you actually stay at your desk, instead of wanting to get up and leave the office space. One of the easiest things you can do is invest in a super soft blanket that you can use year-round—everyone knows that frigid AC blasts and drafty windows slash productivity. Adding other touches, like a scented candle or a potted plant, can make the desk feel more welcoming than utilitarian. “You should always personalize your desk area,” Cicero says. “If you like bright colors, use them in your decor and organizational pieces. If you like neutrals, use them in your stationery, and so on.”
25. Maximize natural lightLerner urges individuals to position their desk to take advantage of natural light, as this can boost mood and energy levels throughout the day. “Poised in the corner of a large bedroom, this workspace is cohesive with the room's decor while styled to feel like its own area,” says Lerner.
26. Breathe easyYou spend countless hours at your desk, so it’s important to feel comfortable as you work. This Hey Dewy portable humidifier can give your WFH setup a spa-like atmosphere—a true gift for long days stuck on Zoom. It can mist for up to eight hours on a single charge, which eliminates the need for charging cables on the desk.
27. Find an inspiring desk lampA desk lamp can not only deliver some much-needed light—especially on those gloomy winter afternoons—but it can also help contribute to the aesthetic of your workspace. Consider a warm dual-tone wood base lamp from Anthropologie or another option with personality, like the above bronze-finish antique table lamp from CB2 that looks like a coiled snake.
28. Stay comfortable“Folding a blanket on the back of your desk chair instantly brings cozy elements to your workspace,” Dykema says. If you have the tendency to get cold, a throw is a must to keep your desk as comfortable as possible. Throws fabricated with ultra-soft materials, like microfiber, make ideal companions for long days spent sitting in the same spot.
29. Bring on the glamVideo conferencing is inevitable. With myriad options on the market to address the WFH lighting situation, gone are the days of poorly lit, unflattering calls. Lume Cube’s video conference lighting kit comes with a light smaller than your , but it packs a serious punch. The settings are adjustable, so the light can be brighter, dimmer, warmer, or cooler, based on your needs. The light easily clips onto the top of your computer monitor for optimal lighting angles.
30. Make scents of your workspaceWhat’s cozier than a candle? Splurge on a luxurious option, like this delicate matcha-scented one from Maison Margiela Fragrances to infuse your work area with a pleasant aroma. To elevate your candle setup, invest in a candle care kit and tray.
31. Make it prettyEvery surface in your home is basically a stage, so the objects you display prominently deserve careful consideration. If you’re all about aesthetics, you might want to make sure that any office tool with a designated spot on your desk is made of natural materials or has a unique design. Handmade items with fun details and colors can distract from their utilitarian role. This abstract counter shelf is perfect for showcasing everything from a wireless humidifier to a tube of hand cream.
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32. Transform a closet into an office