Is the desk in your home covered in paper and clutter? If you shook your head yes, then I have a proven strategy and great ideas to help you organize your desk.
Table of Contents
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
use a desk that’s right for you
To be productive you need to have a clean and organized desk!
More importantly, you need to have a desk that functions for your specific needs.
There are so many different types of desks!
How do you know which one is right for you?
Let’s take a look at the different types of desks we have in our house and how much storage each one provides.
desk with no storage
This desk is in our youngest son’s room. He needs a place to put his computer when he visits us. Since he did not need storage space, we were able to purchase a desk without drawers or cabinets.
desk with some storage
Rich has three monitors and a work phone, so he needed a large desktop to accommodate all of those things. There are drawers on either side of the desk that allow for some storage.
Desk with a lot of storage
I needed a desk that would store all of our office and printing supplies. I don’t want to see any of that stuff and I love that it can be hidden away inside the drawers and cabinets!
No matter what size or type of desk you have, it’s time to get it organized!
Let’s get started!
use the 6/p strategy to organize your desk
The 6/P strategy makes organizing any space very simple. Just follow the following six steps that start with the letter P and your desk will be organized in no time!
Prepare
Grab the following items: a trash bag, a cardboard box, and 2 laundry hampers.
Purge
Remove everything from your desk and sort all items into one of these categories.
- Trash-throw all unnecessary paper and garbage in the trash bag
- Donate-put items you would like to donate into the cardboard box
- Relocate-any items that don’t belong in or on your desk should go into laundry hamper #1
- Replace- items that need to stay in the office should be placed in laundry hamper #2. Put like items together.
Polish
Now that the desk is empty it’s time to give it a good cleaning!
Personalize
During this step, you need to determine the following:
- What is causing clutter on your desk?
- What items do you need to make or purchase to contain items in and on the desk?
PLACE
- Now it’s time to place items back on the desk in an organized manner.
- Discard the trash bag you filled up!
- If you have items to donate, don’t wait around, take them to the donation center soon!
- If you have items that belong in another room, deliver them now.
- Replace items that belong on your desk, putting them back in an organized manner!
Put Back
If you want to keep your desk organized, you must put things back where they belong! If you can develop that habit, your desk will stay clutter-free and you’ll be more productive than ever!
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Great Ideas to organize your desk & Office supplies
If you don’t have a desk that has drawers or cabinets, modify my suggestions by using a bookcase or adding shelves to a wall.
Organize desk top
Try to limit items on your desktop, to things you use or need daily!
I have my computers, a desk lamp, an organizer, a fan (for those pesky hot flashes), and an hourglass (to help me stay on task). Since I have room, I added a faux flower in the corner!
Good lighting
Good lighting is so important and the right desk lamp can make a big improvement!
Use a functional desk organizer
This organizer keeps everything I reach for daily right at my fingertips! No more searching for a pen or Post-it note!
Organize cords
Oh my, I needed to take action concerning the cord situation in my office! This is the corner before and after I did a cord makeover, lol!
Have you ever plugged several things into an extension cord and then can’t tell which cord is which?? Here’s the solution to that problem!
Simply put a strip of tape around the cord and write a name on it! I used Washi tape and my label maker to make these adorable labels!
How amazing is that?
Comfortable chair
If you work from home, it’s so important to have a comfortable chair!
Organize desk drawers
Incorporate drawer dividers
I am fortunate to have drawer dividers built into my desk. They keep items from getting jumbled in the drawer. Is jumbled an actual word???
Oh well, if you don’t have this option you can make dividers yourself. In the past, I have used heavy cardstock and duct tape. You could also use cardboard or foam board.
Use drawer organizers
These drawer organizers are so wonderful. They come in a set and have different sizes so you can configure them in different ways!
Find unexpected items to organize drawers
These drawers are an unusual shape. They are long and skinny and taller than a typical desk drawer.
Believe it or not, Crystal Light drink containers fit perfectly in the space!
Sometimes you have to look in unexpected places to find the perfect organizer!!!
Organize Cabinets
Use binders to organize important tasks/paperwork
I don’t know what I would do without my organized binders!
Purchase specialty containers
I love this cute sewing box. It’s great to have a place to put all of my sewing supplies!
Use stackable paper trays
Maximize vertical space whenever you can! These trays help with that! I also have an organizer on the right side that holds three different sizes/types of envelopes.
Set up a printer station
Store all of your printing supplies in the same area. I used the stackable paper trays again here to hold my copy paper and cardstock. We also store photo paper and ink cartridges in this area.
add some beauty
I’ve given you lots of ideas to organize your desk, and now it’s time to think about adding some pretty decor! If you’ve followed the blog for a while, you know how much I love to make spaces functional, but beautiful at the same time! Here are some suggestions!
Add flowers or a plant to your desk top
Decorate shelves above a desk
Frame a favorite quote to sit on your desk
Enjoy your organized and beautiful desk!
I hope this post provided lots of inspiration and ideas to help you organize your desk! Let me know in the comments below if you have a desk that currently works for your needs!
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
More organizing inspiration
How to Organize Your Home Office Or Craft Space
How to Organize Paper in Your Home and Office
get the look
For your convenience, I have linked items that I use in my home. If I could not find the exact match, I searched for something similar.
Interlocking Bin Pack / Vornado Fan / 60 Minute Hourglass / LED Desk Lamp
Desk Calendar Blocks / Mesh Desk Organizer / Plastic Box Organizer
Side Load Desk Tray / Fabric Storage Cubes / Basket Label Clips
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Great organization ideas! I definitely need to organize my desk! I love your binder system to keep household processes organized!
I would be lost without my binders! They are very handy! Have a great week, Donna
These are really good ideas Donna. I like beginning by removing everything from the desk and going from there.
Thank you, Maria! Starting with a blank slate makes the job easier! Good luck organizing your desk! Blessings, Donna