What’s better? A clean desk or a cluttered desk? That’s a great question! The debate on which is best has been going on for years, and to be honest, scientists are still stumped. However, having a clean, well-organized workspace does reap some pretty awesome benefits.
Clear a space on your desk to take notes, and let’s learn about the many psychological benefits of having a clean and organized desk.
Is it Better to Have a Clean or Messy Desk?
Workspace cleanliness boils down to a couple factors: the type of job you have and your personality. It’s not necessarily better to have a clean desk over a messy one, though there are some advantages to being more organized.
Take a look at the statistics!
Overall, a disorganized desk will lead to misplaced documents, lost information, and clutter. Keeping your desk clean will allow you to find what you need, when you need it, without adding stress to the mix!
Stats About Desk Cleanliness
- An office keyboard can have up to 7,500 bacteria.
- People waste 4.3 hours per week on average just looking for paper.
- 57% of people admit they feel judged for the cleanliness of their workspace.
- Employees who have a clean desk are able to work 7.5 minutes longer without feeling distracted.
- Cold and flu viruses linger for up to 24 hours. Those with clean desks are less likely to get sick.
- A clean desk increases productivity and persistence by 84%.
Why is it Important to Have a Clean Desk?
Everyone has different working styles, including how clean they keep their desk. Some companies enforce “clean desk” policies because it's more professional and saves time looking for misplaced invoices, meeting notes, or office supplies like pens and sticky notes. However, with the move to remote work, the organization of your desk is largely your choice.
Aside from workplace benefits, studies show a well-organized desk also has some psychological perks. These include:
- More likely to make healthier food choices
- Improve mental stability
- Increase productivity
- More likely to sleep better
- Improve focus
- Reduce stress
If you’re a stickler for all things tidy, a messy desk will only stress you out. Being too stressed can decrease your productivity, make falling asleep harder, and increase your chance of grabbing that tub of ice cream. Turn things around by cleaning your desk!
Is Having a Messy Desk Bad?
The University of Minnesota found that employees with disorderly workspaces were actually more innovative and creative with their ideas than those who had tidy offices. It ultimately boils down to your personal comfort level and what works best for you. If you have a messy desk only because you're lazy, it might be time to roll up your sleeves and clean it up a bit!
Final Thoughts
Your desk can say a lot about you as a person, your job, and your overall work style. It could be clean because you're a minimalist who works mostly on the computer, or it could be messy and look cluttered since you're writing the next bestselling novel or looking through many photos for a fall fashion show.
Whatever the case, your desk's messiness or cleanliness is a matter of preference. If you notice that you're slacking, it might be time to tidy up. If an organized mess works, then keep on doing you! There's really no "right" choice!
