Creating a functional home workspace is a small project that will yield big rewards. Whether you're setting up a work-from-home space, classroom or studying area, these smart space savers and organizing tips will help you create a desk that works for your needs.
Rachel Hoffman, an organizing expert and the author of "Unf*ck Your Habitat" and "Cleaning Sucks," has some general advice for setting up a small desk area at home. "People tend to look at the desk itself as the only available storage space, without considering the areas above, below and next to it, which all create extra space for storage," she says.
To help inspire some desk organization ideas of your own, we've rounded up some products to get you started. Whether you're still trying to get your work from home gadgets in order or want to keep your office essentials tidy, here are 4 ideas to help keep your desk from looking a mess.
Desk Organizer
Enhancing your desk space for better productivity and organization can be effortlessly achieved with the addition of a narrow tabletop shelf. This clever piece of furniture is designed to sit atop your desk, offering a multi-tiered storage solution without sacrificing valuable desk area. Aim for styles that feature open shelving for easy access to everyday items like paper planners, notebooks, and mailing supplies. These open shelves are ideal for keeping essential items visible and within reach, facilitating a smoother workflow and helping maintain a tidy workspace.
Additionally, choosing a tabletop shelf with built-in drawers can drastically improve the organization of smaller, easily lost items such as phone chargers, earbuds, and writing tools. These drawers serve as the perfect hideaway for clutter-prone objects, keeping your desk surface clean and free for more important tasks. With a variety of designs available, from sleek modern finishes to warm, rustic woods, you can select a shelf that not only boosts your productivity but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your work environment. This simple yet effective upgrade can transform a chaotic desk into a streamlined, efficient workspace, promoting a more focused and enjoyable work experience.
This versatile black mesh desk organizer boasts multiple slots and two pull-out drawers, providing ample space for sorting files, stationery, and gadgets to streamline your workspace.
This compact mesh desk organizer features divided compartments and a small drawer, ideal for organizing everyday office supplies and keeping your desk tidy without taking up too much space.
This is a multi-tiered mesh desktop organizer with sliding drawers, designed to neatly store and sort office supplies, documents, and accessories for easy access and an uncluttered workspace.
Monitor Stand With Storage Drawers
Monitor stands serve as another ingenious solution for maximizing desk space by leveraging vertical storage. Unlike the traditional approach of spreading items horizontally across the desk surface, these stands elevate the monitor, freeing up the area underneath for other uses. Some models go a step further by incorporating built-in cubbyholes or drawers, significantly enhancing their storage capabilities. These features are particularly useful for organizing office supplies, electronic accessories like USB drives and cables, and even small personal items that would otherwise clutter the desk. By selecting a monitor stand with these additional storage options, you not only elevate your screen to a more ergonomic viewing height but also efficiently utilize every inch of your workspace for a cleaner, more organized desk.
Moreover, monitor stands with storage compartments are a testament to the importance of multifunctional office accessories in today's work environments. Whether for a home office or a corporate setting, the ability to maintain a neat and organized workspace can lead to increased productivity and reduced stress. The simplicity of having a designated spot for all your essentials - from notepads and pens to smartphones and chargers - cannot be overstated. In choosing a monitor stand, considering the design and material can also add a touch of personal style to your workspace, making it not only functional but also visually appealing. This blend of aesthetics and practicality underscores the evolving nature of office ergonomics, where every element of your desk setup can contribute to a more comfortable and productive work experience.
This robust metal monitor stand with multiple organizers and sliding drawers is designed for optimal desk organization, allowing for a tidy workspace and elevated screen positioning.
This is a sleek mesh monitor stand featuring stackable sliding drawers, designed to efficiently organize office supplies while supporting your computer at an ergonomic height.
This mesh monitor stand with a dual drawer design enhances desk organization and creates additional storage space while providing a comfortable viewing height for your computer screen.
Clip-on desk storage
Under-desk hanging organizers offer a brilliant solution for reclaiming valuable desktop space by utilizing the often underutilized area beneath the desk. These organizers are designed to hang securely from the underside of the desk, providing a discreet yet accessible place to store a variety of items, from office supplies and notebooks to tech accessories like chargers and headphones. This innovative storage solution not only helps in maintaining a clean and clutter-free desktop but also enhances the overall functionality of your workspace. By keeping essential items tucked away but within easy reach, under-desk hanging organizers can significantly contribute to a more efficient and organized work environment. Their installation is generally straightforward, requiring minimal tools, which means you can easily add or adjust your storage space as your needs change without compromising the desk's surface area.
Moreover, under-desk hanging organizers are particularly adept at addressing specific storage dilemmas, such as managing clutter that is not constantly in use. For instance, items that are essential but used sporadically throughout the day can create a disorganized and distracting work environment when left on the desk. By utilizing an under-desk organizer, these items can be stored out of sight, thereby maintaining a tidier workspace and minimizing distractions. This type of organization is not only practical but can also have a positive impact on your productivity and mental clarity by reducing the visual clutter in your immediate workspace. Whether you're dealing with limited space or simply aiming for a minimalist desk setup, under-desk hanging organizers provide a smart and effective way to keep your work area both organized and aesthetically pleasing.
This under-desk organizer features sliding mesh drawers, offering easy access and streamlined storage for office supplies without compromising desktop space.
This under-desk hanging file organizer in mesh design efficiently utilizes vertical space to store magazines, documents, and files, keeping them accessible and your workspace uncluttered.
This is an under-desk hanging organizer, featuring clamps for easy installation, which optimizes space by providing a mesh storage basket for your accessories and office supplies.
Desk drawer organizer
Incorporating a drawer organizer into your desk setup is a simple yet incredibly effective way to enhance the organization and functionality of your workspace. Desk drawers often become cluttered catch-alls for various items, from office supplies and sticky notes to personal gadgets and keys, making it challenging to find what you need when you need it. By using a drawer organizer, you can compartmentalize these items, assigning a specific place for each category. This systematic approach not only makes it easier to locate items swiftly, reducing the time spent rummaging through a messy drawer, but also helps in maintaining an orderly and efficient work environment. Drawer organizers come in various sizes and configurations, enabling you to customize the layout to best fit your needs and the dimensions of your drawer, ensuring that every pen, paperclip, and notepad has its rightful place.
Furthermore, the psychological benefits of a well-organized drawer should not be underestimated. A tidy workspace, including the spaces out of immediate sight, can significantly contribute to a sense of calm and control, thereby enhancing your focus and productivity. When each item in your desk drawer has a designated spot, it not only streamlines your work process but also minimizes the mental clutter that can arise from a chaotic environment. Moreover, the act of organizing your drawer can encourage you to evaluate what items are truly necessary, potentially leading to a more minimalist and efficient collection of tools and supplies. Investing in a drawer organizer is a small change that can make a big difference in your daily work life, transforming a cluttered drawer into an organized, functional asset to your workspace.
This mesh desk organizer with drawers offers an efficient compartmentalized design for organizing a variety of stationery and supplies, complete with a sliding top tray for additional storage space.
This is a metal mesh desk drawer organizer with multiple compartments, designed to keep your office supplies tidy and systematically arranged within your drawer.
This desk drawer organizer offers a variety of compartments for neatly categorizing and storing office supplies, ensuring everything from pens to paper clips is organized and within easy reach.
