15 Desk Organization Ideas for an Aesthetic and Tidy Office
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A tidy desk makes any task go more smoothly, whether it's eight hours of office work or your weekly crafting sesh. A clear desktop also makes the rest of your work-from-home setup look more put together. But we know it's not easy to set up and maintain a workspace that's function first: Keeping all your supplies in easy reach sounds like a good idea, but it can edge into cluttered pretty quickly, leaving only a corner for your laptop or notebook. Desk organization doesn’t require a corporate-looking filing cabinet or a designated home office, though. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can organize your desk without having to buy anything at all.
When you're setting up your desk, it's important to think about what items you need and where you automatically look for them. Take the organization methods that work for you in the rest of your home—labeled bins in your kitchen, color-coding in your closet—and apply those techniques to your desk. (If you have an adjustable standing desk or an especially small desk, you may need to adapt them a little.) No matter what your style is or how often you sit at your desk, an organized space can really boost your productivity. Clear desk, clear mind is a cliché for a reason. Read on for 22 of the best desk organization ideas straight from designers and use them to get up and running without a hitch.
Move in a Credenza
If you love the look of a minimalist desk with no built-in storage, place a credenza or other storage cabinet behind it. That way, your desktop can stay clear but everything you need to work will still be nearby. For the office in Bobby Berk's Los Angeles home, creative director Brady Tolbert sourced a midcentury credenza on Craigslist to keep messy papers out of sight.
Group Desk Organizers on a Tray
Desk organizers like pen cups and letter boxes can do wonders, but when you have a lot of them they can become clutter. An easy fix? Neatly arrange them all on a tray, as designer Jennifer Hunter did in her New York office.
Reach for Baskets
Baskets are the easiest way to store practically anything practically anywhere—including your home office. Here, designer Katie Hodges found a shape that fit perfectly into the open shelving to help keep the area clean and aesthetically pleasing.
Don't Forget About the Floor
If you don't have open shelves to work with, consider dedicating some floor space to storage. In this office designed by Lindsey Bond, a woven beach bag stores essentials under the floating desk and can easily be picked up and tucked away when it's not needed.
Install a Shelving Unit
Save space and enjoy an organized desk by installing wall-mounted shelving. By doing so in his apartment, Tariq Dixon, cofounder of the furniture brand TRNK, turned an unused corner into a writer’s oasis. The shelving offers space to organize and display decor, reading material, and supplies.
Pick a Drawer-Filled Desk
Having storage built right into your desk is perhaps the easiest way to keep your workspace clutter-free. Dedicate each drawer to a certain category of supplies, like notebooks or important files. Keep the items on the surface to a minimum, as designer Mark D. Sikes did in this home— and don't forget fresh flowers!
Introduce a Matching Console
If you're not fond of bulky storage pieces, organize your desk essentials on a console table. In this home office that doubles as a gym, designer Laura Hodges placed a matching console behind a custom desk made by Grothouse. The desk comes apart easily to function as a set of aerobic steps, so keeping the surface clear for a quick transition was crucial.
Roll Up a Cart
A rolling cart stationed near your desk can not only hold baskets and file folders, but it's mobile so you can easily move it around. Plus, rolling carts are often budget-friendly (just search for book, library, or utility carts) and come in a variety of colors, from black, white, and tans to primary colors. Copy photographer Victoria Pearson's office setup with a desk that's also on casters (seen here), and you can change your view anytime you want.
Make Room for Catchalls
This Charleston home office styled by Jill Sharp Weeks proves no desk is complete without at least one catchall bowl or tray. The decorative pieces can hold everything from pushpins to candy.
Create Built-In Storage
Nothing keeps clutter hidden and decor on display like built-ins. For the ultimate WFH suite, designer Ariene Bethea used lower drawers and cabinets to conceal unsightly essentials while open bookshelves on top showcase treasured objects and books. Finally, she leaned few additional art pieces against the wall on the desktop to offer major inspiration.
Top It With Paperweights
Paperweights are classics for a reason: They're both decorative and functional. Use them to hold down a neat pile of papers and add interest to your desktop. Here, designer Heather Hilliard selected sculptural globes that maintain the calm, neutral color scheme.
Hang an Inspiration Board
The textured memory board in this cloffice (a small office within a converted closet) by Leanne Ford cements the area as a fun creativity zone. Plus, it's a great place to hang snapshots, lists, and important papers you don't want to forget.
Fill a Desk Hutch
Opt for a desk with a hutch to keep all your essentials within reach. This one in designer Sheila Bridges'home isn't too tall, so it provides ample storage without dominating the space.
Try a Tray Table
Instead of keeping office supplies on your desktop, use a folding tray table to display necessities like tape, a stapler, and eyeglasses. That way, you can leave room on your desk for fresh flowers and personal photos that inspire you, as designer Miles Redd did in this blue home office.
Add a Floating Shelf
Load a simple floating shelf with everything from jars of extra office supplies to wall art and decor. It'll let you dedicate your desk solely to your computer, simple organizers, and a small table lamp.
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