How to Organize Your Desk and Keep it That Way: Top Tips

You have probably seen these desks cluttered with hundreds of things like papers, pencils, books, post-it notes, unrelated stuff. Maybe you have such a desk yourself? Cluttered desks have many disadvantages: things are hard to find or get lost, mess increases stress, decreases focus, and so on. You might think it is too hard to clean your desk and keep it that way. But there are some simple rules and tips that can help you a lot. Read on to learn how to organize your desk!

Get rid of unnecessary items on your desk

You probably don’t need everything that’s on your table. And if you don’t need it, you should get rid of it. A good idea is to list everything you use during the day. List the necessary things and then those which are nice to have or used occasionally. Of course, you don’t have to throw everything away. Just don’t put it on your desk if you don’t use it regularly. 

Pro tip: if you have to deal with many papers, you can scan and turn them into PDFs. Not only will they be easier to find and peruse on your desktop, but they will also ensure less clutter. You can put the paper documents safely somewhere else.

Organize the items on your desk by groups 

There are many ways to sort the items. If you followed the first tip, you have already sorted the things by their importance. What about everything that’s left? You could sort your items by theme, like sales, marketing, etc. It is good practice to color code your stuff. You could use folders of different colors or get basic round stickers of different colors. Consider labels too.

Keep the most used items where you can reach them easily

You should already know which things are the most important. Keep them the closest. For example, if you use your phone a lot, put it closer to your dominant hand. It can save you time. Other items should be located according to their importance. If you use something once a week, a drawer near the desk is a good place. Once a year? Maybe somewhere in the closet.

Make sure everything has a place

You should not just stick things wherever. You will have trouble finding them later if you do this. Choose an area for everything and remember it! Also, keep similar items together: for example, all your pencils should be in one place. It will also make it much easier to find them. This way you do not lose focus while searching for something. Of course, something else could be distracting you. Read about focus in an open-plan office and you might find out what.

Ensure that you have a free zone for when you need it

You will likely face situations when you suddenly need to check new documents, quickly write something down or do something that requires space on your desk. And when that time comes, your desk should already have a space for it, so you do not have to waste time clearing stuff. It can boost your productivity a lot and decrease the likelihood of stress. 

Put things away when you stop using it

This rule is related to keeping the desk organized. When you stop using some item – put it back where it belongs. It might sound simple, but it will help you keep everything in order. 

Use containers and drawers to organize your desk

Even if your desk has few things on it, pens laying messily still make it quite unorganized. Get containers for them. We also recommend getting containers for your drawers because it will make it much easier to find something. You can make those very easily from cereal boxes. Click here for tips on organizing drawers.

When you use drawers, follow the same rules. Items used the most often should be in the top drawers and near your seat.

Add a personal touch but not too much

Some people might not recommend this, saying that it can disturb the focus, but we think that a personal touch is a good idea. Just don’t overdo it. You don’t need five framed photos on your desk: one is perfectly enough. You can also put postcards or inspirational quotes to inspire you. Or write something for yourself on a sticky note! Just don’t make it look like your Facebook wall.

Do regular upkeeps for the desk to remain organized

Even if you organize and declutter your desk very thoroughly, it will not stay that way long unless you put in the effort. Try to do a little upkeep every week: best to mark this day in your schedule. You could repeat the whole process thoroughly to remain organized every six months. After all, your needs and possessions change over time.

We hope those ideas will help you to organize your desk and keep it organized. However, a clean desk is only a part of being productive. If you work in an office, consider if it is ergonomic and good for mental health. After all, when you are happy and healthy, you do a better job!