40 Best Desk Organization Ideas to Maximize Productivity
DIY storage solutions, desk organizers and minimalist ideas to inspire your home office setup, regardless of its size.
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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.
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) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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