Easy Hacks to Transform Your Chaotic Desk at Home

Whether you work from home or not, having a dedicated space for office work can be beneficial to any home. Keeping this area streamlined can be tricky when so much happens in one space. This article will give you desk organization hacks that you can start using today.

Home office organization that starts with the top of your desk and carries into the entire room.

Do you have a desk in your home that’s becoming cluttered and messy? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the amount of mess piling up at the top of it? Finding hacks that you can start using right away to corral some of the tools you use here can be a game changer.

Whether you want to get organized for better productivity, designate a space where you work from home, or set up an area to better run your household these easy-to-implement strategies will help streamline even the most crowded desks.

What should you keep out on a desk?

When organizing your desk, it’s important to consider what items you should keep out and easily accessible. The following are some essential things that you should have on your desk at all times:

Computer or laptop – This is the main tool for most people who work from home or in an office setting. Make sure to keep it in a central location on your desk for easy access.
Writing tools – Pens, pencils, and highlighters should be within reach for quick note-taking or jotting down ideas.
Daily planner or to-do list – Keeping your schedule and tasks in plain sight will help you stay on track and organized.
Action files – Anything that needs immediate attention or is frequently used should be easily accessible in labeled files on top of your desk.
Desk lamp – Good lighting is essential for productivity and reducing strain on your eyes.
Phone charger – Keep your phone close by and make sure it’s always charged for any important calls or messages.
Personal items – Having a small plant, family photo, or inspirational quote can help personalize your workspace and make it feel more inviting.

a clean and organized desk in a home office

What should you keep in drawers or storage containers?

While the items listed above are important to have on your desk, some things can be stored away to free up space and reduce clutter. Here are a few things you can keep in drawers or storage containers:

Reference materials – Books, manuals, and other reference materials that are not frequently used can be stored away to free up desk space.
Office supplies – Extra pens, paperclips, staplers, and other office supplies should be neatly organized in a drawer or container.
Cables and cords – Keep all your electronic cables and cords in one designated spot to avoid a tangled mess on your desk.
Important documents – Any sensitive or confidential documents should be stored securely in a locked drawer or container.
Extra technology – If you have additional gadgets or devices that are not frequently used, consider storing them in a designated drawer or container to keep your workspace clutter-free.
Project materials – For ongoing projects, store any necessary materials in a designated drawer or container for easy access when needed.
Personal items – While it’s important to have some personal items on your desk, keeping too many can create clutter. Store extra photos, plants, or other personal items in a drawer or container and rotate them out periodically to keep your desk feeling fresh.

Overall, the key is to have a designated spot for each item on your desk and regularly declutter and organize your workspace.

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Easy Hacks for a More Organized Desk in Your Home

These hacks are meant to make it easy to keep the tools you use in your home office container. Not only will it help you find the tools you need right when you need them, but it will also make it easier to put things all the way away. The trick is to find organizers that save space so you have more room to work.

#1. Keep enough pens, but not more than you need.

A carousel is a great way to organize the things you write with. You can use one section for pencils, another for pens, and another for high-lighters.

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#2. Keep a designated spot to store your important documents.

Use a file organizer or folder holder to keep all of your important papers in one place. This will make it easier to find them when needed and prevent them from getting lost in the clutter on your desk.

More Paper Organizing Resources:

a portable bin full of colorful files for home office (1)

#3. Use desk trays for incoming and outgoing documents.

Designate separate trays for incoming and outgoing documents to avoid mixing them up. This will help you stay on top of important tasks and prioritize your work effectively.

#4. Utilize drawer dividers for smaller items

Drawer dividers are a great way to keep small office supplies in order and prevent them from getting lost in larger drawers. You can also use them to categorize different types of items, such as paper clips, sticky notes, and USB drives.

#5. Invest in a desk organizer

A desk organizer with compartments for different types of items can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your desk clutter-free. Use it to store frequently used items like pens, paper clips, and post-it notes within arm’s reach.

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#6. Make use of wall space

If you have limited desk space, consider using wall storage options such as shelves or hanging organizers. This will free up valuable desk space and keep your important documents within easy reach.

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#7. Label everything

Labeling is key to staying organized. Make sure to label drawers, trays, and shelves so you know exactly where things belong and can easily find them when you need them.

#8. Create a system for filing documents

Develop a system for filing your documents based on importance or category. This will help you stay organized and save time when looking for specific files.

#9. Roll carts gave give more space.

I love roll carts because they offer so much more room for storage. Since they are on wheels it allows you to move the cart to where you need it to be. When looking for things to keep on a storage cart consider what you use often for projects but do not want to keep in or on your desk.

A few ideas are:

Washi tape
Reference books
Extra writing tools for projects
Office supplies
Journal supplies

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#10. Use digital tools for organizing

There are many digital tools available, such as productivity apps or online calendars, that can help you keep track of tasks and deadlines. Utilize these tools to stay organized and on top of your work.

#11. Use computer stands with extra storage

If you use a laptop, consider investing in a computer stand that has extra storage compartments. This will not only elevate your screen to a comfortable level but also provide additional space for storing office supplies. You can also invest in a monitor stand that has storage on and inside. A bit more of a cost investment, but it can double the room you have to hold the tools you use.

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#12. Set up a charging area

If you have many electronics that need charging daily, you can set up an area on your desk, in a drawer or on a shelf.

#13. Use hooks

Command hooks come in a variety of sizes and can be used just about anywhere. Put a few on the side of your desk to corral cords, one on the wall to hold a sweater, and one on a filing cabinet to hold misc items.

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#14 Sticky Notes

Sticky notes are a great way to plan projects on a wall where you can see the progress daily. Sticky notes are also useful for reminding you of tasks, events, and to-do items that you need to stay on top of.

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#15. Magnets

I love magnetic shelves in the kitchen, and they work great to hold spices, oils, and medicines. You can use these tools in an office to hold office supplies, journals, and misc items. If you have a metal filing cabinet, a magnetic shelf will work nicely on the side.

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#16. Pegboards

These amazing tools work great in garages and craft areas for the main reason they can hold just about anything. That makes them a great tool for an office as well. Not only does a pegboard look nice on a home office wall, but it also gives you so many options for storage.

Shelves – can hold cups of pens and pencils
Hooks – can hold scissors and paper punches
Clips – can hold calendars and budgets
U-clips – can hold books, ledgers, and folders

#17. Key organizers

These organizers are usually in a mudroom or entryway as they work great to hold keys and papers, but they also work great in a home office. Use the hooks to hold scissors, punches, and staplers. Use the bin area to hold outgoing mail, sports schedules, or greeting cards.

#18. Wall Cabinets

This option does take up more space, but you get so much storage both inside and on top. You can keep binders inside as well as files, store excess printer paper and ink on the top, and use hooks on the side for even more options.

Upkeep tips

In order to keep a desk from getting messy and chaotic again, there are a few things you can do routinely to ensure your setup works for the long haul.

#1. Regularly declutter and purge unnecessary items

It’s important to regularly go through your desk and get rid of any unnecessary items that may be taking up space. This will keep your workspace clutter-free and make it easier to find what you need.

#2. Develop a filing system

Having a designated spot for important documents and papers will make it easier to keep your desk organized. Use folders, binders, or file cabinets to categorize and store items accordingly.

#3. Designate a spot for incoming and outgoing mail

Having a designated area for incoming and outgoing mail will help prevent papers from piling up on your desk. Consider using a letter tray or wall organizer.

#4. Clean up at the end of each day

Take a few minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your desk and put everything back in its designated spot. This will ensure a clean and organized desk when you start work the next day.

Overall, implementing these tips will not only help you stay organized in the short term but also make your work more efficient and productive in the long run. So, take some time to set up an organized workspace and see the difference it can make in your daily routine.

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