7 Items That Don't Belong on Your Desk at the Office
We bet some of these have slipped your mind over the years.
A cluttered office desk can quickly become the bane of your existence. While many employees start out with a tidy space stocked only with the essentials, it often becomes a catch-all for paperwork, personal items, and other unnecessary clutter (dare we say junk?) over time.
If you’re looking to improve your productivity and ensure you’re not peeving your colleagues, take a closer look at what's sitting on your desk. To find out which items are best kept elsewhere, we asked professional organizers for the things that should never be stored at work. Your gym gear? It’s got to go, ASAP!
Old to-do lists
If you like to stay organized, you might have some to-do lists on your office desk, written on vibrant-colored Post-Its.
"These can be more distracting than helpful because they’re usually full of things you’ve already done or don’t need to worry about anymore," says Olivia Parks, a professional organizer and founder of The Organizer Directory. "Keeping one simple, up-to-date list makes it a lot easier to stay focused on what matters.”
Perishable snacks
"Don't keep any perishable snacks like yogurt, cut fruit, or leftovers at your desk," says Christina Giaquinto, a professional organizer at Modular Closets. "This can lead to spills, unpleasant odors, and even pests, especially if the perishable food is forgotten in a drawer."
Instead, keep perishable snacks in a refrigerator and enjoy them in the break area. There's no problem with eating some crackers or candy at the desk, but try not to leave a trail of crumbs behind.
Too many sentimental items
Avoid filling your office desk with too many sentimental items like photos, drawings, and magnets. An overload of keepsakes can create visual clutter and may make your workspace feel cramped or distracting, says Giaquinto.
"On top of this, having too many sentimental items on your desk may blur professional boundaries," she says. "Instead, keep a couple of personal photos to boost your mood."
Gym gear
Mid-day workouts may be the boost of energy you need to finish out your day, but that doesn't mean your office desk should become a locker with gloves, shorts, and T-shirts. "These items can pick up odors and make your workspace feel cramped and in disarray," says Giaquinto. "Instead, store your outerwear and gym gear in your office coat closet, in a locker, or in your car.”
Other people might not want to see (or smell!) your gym gear in the next cubicle over.
Tangled headphones and wires
Keep these off your desk to prevent visual clutter and distraction during the work day.
"Tangled headphones and cords are one of those small things that get annoying fast, especially when you’re trying to jump on a call, and suddenly you’re untangling a mess," says Parks. "It’s a lot easier to keep them in a small pouch or organizer, so they’re ready when you need them."
Loose change
Perhaps you ran to the grocery store or Starbucks in the middle of the day. Your first instinct might be to throw the spare change on your desk—stop right there!
"Loose change builds up quickly and just ends up scattered everywhere, making your desk feel cluttered for no real reason," says Parks. "You’re better off tossing it in a jar at home, your car, or just keeping it in your wallet so it’s not sitting in your workspace."
Pens that don’t work
We all have that jar of pens we keep testing over and over during meetings and on calls, hoping one magically works again. Spoiler: They probably won’t.
"In reality, they just slow you down and take up space, so it’s better to keep a few that actually work and get rid of the rest," says Parks. "This includes highlighters, too.”
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
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