These Desk Organization Ideas Will Make You *Instantly* More Productive
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You may not mind your piles of paper or jumble of supplies, but a disorganized workspace can interfere with your ability to get things done. Not only is a tidy desk more aesthetically pleasing, it can provide a myriad of benefits: reducing stress, cutting down on procrastination, improving focus and even inspiring creativity. Whether you've got a small setup or spacious workstation, we've rounded up the best desk organization ideas to enhance your home office design.
No matter your profession — teacher, student or full-time remote employee, you're sure to find a desktop organization idea that inspires. We've found budget-friendly DIYs (think: a chalkboard calendar and vision board), alongside simple storage solutions (ahem: drawer organizers, wicker baskets and decorative bins). You may want to consider shelving, caddies and wall hooks to clear clutter away from your desk and give your everyday essentials a designated home. Or, bring in extra storage with rollings carts, bookshelves and closets to take advantage of unused spaces.
If you're ready to turn inspiration into action, we've recommended organization products and home office desks with built-in storage. Once you're through in the home office, we've got genius organization tips for other rooms, too: clear clutter in the kitchen (even the food pantry), re-arrange your bathroom, organize your linen closet and purge your wardrobe. You'll feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders once you've tackled every space, but remember to take it one room at a time.
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.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
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.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
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.
See more at A Kailo Chic Life »
RELATED: The Best Craft Room Organization Ideas
Prop an Inspiration Board
Instead of letting papers and photographs clutter your workspace, prop a bulletin board against the wall behind your desk. Use thumbtacks to display your ideas in eyesight.
Organize Your Notebooks
Have a ton of notebooks and journals lying around your desk? Bring color and organization to your space by recreating this playful desk organizer. The whole project should take you about two hours.
Get the Tutorial at Lovely Indeed »
Make a Desk Out of Two Dressers
If you're starting from scratch, take a slab of plywood and connect it to a pair of matching dressers. Unlike standard desks, the deep dresser drawers give you plenty of space to hide craft supplies, school books and tech accessories.
Take Everything Off the Desk
Make sure you have plenty of space to accomplish the task at hand by keeping papers, supplies and other documents tucked away in a shelving unit nearby.
Build a Bulletin Board
Feeling crafty? Make your own bulletin board using foam board insulation and fabric. When you're done, you'll have the perfect place to pin all of your best ideas.
Get the tutorial at The Home I Create »
Mix Supplies With Decor
With a pegboard backdrop, you can customize your office to store supplies, hang decorations or a mix of both. But if you want to make the most out of your space, attach wire baskets, shelves, and cup holders before you go all out with decor.
RELATED: DIY Wall Decor Ideas for Any Room
Add Shelves up High
Add much-needed storage to your "cloffice" (a closet-turned-office) with high shelving sturdy enough to hold storage boxes and decorative accents.
Build a Pegboard Wall
Give your home office the gift of floating shelves, hanging baskets and pretty decor with a fun and functional DIY pegboard wall. Mix in art and storage for the best of both worlds.
See more at Place of My Taste »
Hang a Shelf Over Your Desk
Expand your work space with just a few taps of a hammer, making room to store extra tech items or books. It's also a clever way to display artwork; you can easily swap in new frames or layer pieces you love.
Create an Organization Station
Make sure you have enough space on the top of your desk to read, write and work by hanging organizers straight to your wall. Attach a cork board to keep your calendar, schedule or to-do list in clear view and fill mason jars with all of your office supplies.
Fill a Small Storage Caddy
If you opt for a modern desk design, stick a complementary storage caddy near one of the desk's legs to hold all of your work essentials.
Push Accessories Off to One Side
Every desk needs a lamp, a pencil cup and a knickknack or two, but keeping everything strewn across your desktop makes it difficult to get to work. Make sure there's a clear space to keep your computer and plenty of empty desk space to write and spread out.
See more at A Beautiful Mess »
Try Floating Shelves
With compact floating shelves, you can keep your favorite photos and trinkets neatly within eyesight without cluttering up your workspace.
See more at Megan Hopp Design »
DIY a Desk Organizer
Take a cue from Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth and DIY a desk organizer from wooden boxes to hold your to-do list, pens and notebooks. (FYI: This easy project doesn't involve any hammers, nails or drills!)
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth »
Turn Paper Clutter Into Decor
Old postcards and notes don't have to stay in stacks on your desk. Tack them on the wall next to some of your favorite art to create a fun display.
DIY a Keyboard Tray
With this nifty keyboard tray, you can keep your laptop or notepad safely stowed when not in use.
Get the tutorial at Yellow Brick Home »
Use Drawer Dividers
Conquer your desk drawer junk with an assortment of acrylic organizers. Keep sticky notes, business cards and flash drives in their own compartments to easily grab and go.
Optimize Your Storage Space
Don't just rely on your desk itself to keep your home office organized. Nearby cubbies, hooks and baskets can keep the clutter off your desk so you have plenty of room to work.
See more at My Scandinavian Home »
Switch up Your Lighting
Save major surface space by using an adjustable floor lamp instead of a traditional desk lamp.
See more at Uma Stewart Interiors & Lifestyle »
Hang a Pinboard
Bulletin boards aren't just for schools. A well-placed pinboard can help you and your family stay organized by keeping important numbers and reminders within eyesight.
See more at Jess Cooney Interior Design »
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