39 Desk Organization Ideas to Clear Clutter and Boost Productivity
Add charm and clear clutter with these clever ideas.
If your workspace is overflowing with papers, books, notepads, sticky notes, and other daily work essentials, it’s time to get organized. We’ve collected the best desk organization ideas from experts. These ideas will inspire you to tackle your clutter and find clever ways to keep things organized while adding a little personality to the space.
While you may not think of your desk clutter as distracting, researchers have found that living and working in cluttered spaces can cause stress and lower productivity. Luckily, there are plenty of creative ways to get your workspace organized with shelves, rolling carts, hooks, and other supplies.
The first step to getting your space organized is decluttering your desk. Things like junk mail and charging cables you don’t use can be tossed in most cases. You may also find you’re hanging onto excess office supplies or papers you don’t really need.
While many of these ideas are best suited to home offices, many of them can be put to use if you’re commuting into an office. You may not be able to paint the walls or switch out your desk, but you can use decorative boxes, bulletin boards, and other items to keep your space organized.
Hide Wires
Not only will shallow cabinets provide additional storage space, they can be used to hide unsightly computer wires. Welcome an instantly cleaner space.
Add a Hutch
Even if it doesn't perfectly match your desk, a hutch is a stylish way to make use of vertical space. Here, Hearth Homes Interiors goes for a narrow, open shelf design so the area still feels spacious.
Double Storage With Upper Cabients
Here, The Layered House adds a three-tier cabinet that blends seamlessly with the design of the desk. There's two open shelves, plus one cabinet so you can tuck away your less aesthetic essentials. Hint: If you can't go custom, a bathroom cabinet is an affordable option.
Paint a Chalkboard Calendar
For a functional backdrop, coat an empty wall with a layer of chalk paint and then divide it until it resembles a calendar. At the start of the month, fill in any important deadlines or events, and then add to it as the weeks pass.
Use Color to Boost Productivity
Whether it's color-coordinated bins and binders or a bright wall color, infuse bright hues into your home office setup. Added bonus: It's an easy way to inspire creativity.
Create a Vision Board
Clear clutter from your desk by turning it into wall decor. Try a metal grid to display photos, artwork or notes — just use small clothespins to hang your favorites.
Hang Wire Organizers
Swap traditional open shelving for steel wire baskets, bins or shelves for a more industrial style. Incorporate colorful decor on the display to tie the room together.
Opt for a Leaning Desk
Ladder desks have built-in open shelving, so you won't have to worry about hanging them yourself. The slim design doesn't take up too much space, making it an ideal choice for smaller rooms.
Create a Hook Board
Build your own hook board, or pick one up at the store. Here, blogger Elsie Larson uses the hooks for headphones, but you can rely on them for anything — scissors, glasses, chargers and so on.
Put Wicker Baskets on the Floor
Designer Tiffani Baumgart proves an organized space doesn't have to mean boring. Add large wicker bins and baskets on the floor for extra storage that looks chic.
Stick With Symmetry
When there's symmetry, you'll immediately perceive your space as cleaner. Here, Collected Interiors decorated with two simple wall scones. Plus, she balances the decorative pieces on each side of the desk.
Stash Supplies in Decorative Boxes
From piles of paperwork and photos to infrequently used supplies, stay organized with colorful document boxes that double as decor. These look so much sleeker than the loose items on your desk.
Hang Supplies Using Hooks
Consider hanging a metal bar (you can use a basic towel bar) and using S-hooks to keep your essentials nearby. Hang a mug full of pens or pencils, scissors and a spacious metal basket that can be suspended from two hooks.
Transfer Clutter to a Rolling Cart
Shift your desk supplies to a nearby rolling cart, which you can easily move around throughout the day to ensure everything you need stays within reach.
Fill a Wall With Floating Shelves
Chunky furniture overwhelms small spaces, so mount a desk right to the wall and install a tracking system overhead. Attach as many shelves as you need to properly store your craft supplies, books and other office must-haves.
Mount a Desk to the Wall
If you can't reserve an entire room for your office space, simply install a fold-down desk to an empty corner of the wall. Dress up the space just like you would a traditional office with a task lamp, greenery and other productivity boosters.
Relocate Clutter Into the Closest
Just because they're called desk organizers, doesn't mean you need to keep them on your desk. Move supplies and paperwork into the closet, so your desk can stay clean and clear.
Opt for Open Shelving
If all of your favorite office accessories can't logistically fit on your desk, that doesn't mean you shouldn't put them on display. Install open shelving above your desk and you'll have a ton more space to show off your decor.
Install a Glass White Board
In this bright home office, the checkered wallpaper is the star of the show. A glass white board is the perfect way to keep your space organized without distracting from the room's aesthetic.
Arrange Supplies by Color
Keeping function and style in mind, color-coordinate your office and craft supplies in clear jars and matching bins. Take advantage of free wall space by sticking them on lined shelves rather than using up prime desk space.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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