Solutions to a Cluttered Desk

Is your desk in need of serious space? Do you wish you had an organized and neat workspace to enjoy? While it’s been said that a messy desk is a sign that you’re a creative genius and/or a very productive worker, sifting through papers, mail, and documents an inch deep could create some problems. Luckily, there are some things you can do to turn your cluttered desk into a neatly organized space that you can work from. We’ve got some solutions to a cluttered desk:

Clear the clutter

The first thing you should do is begin to clear up the mess on your desk. While this may be time-consuming and cumbersome, it’s the only way to get to the bottom of things (your desk in particular!) Get some different colored folders and organize all of the papers on your desk. Categorize them (bills, work memos, credit card statements, etc.) and put them in the corresponding folder. Get rid of anything that you don’t need, and recycle them if possible. Shred any papers with your social security number, accounts numbers, etc. on them. Sort office supplies and get rid of any that you don’t use.

Get some desk essentials

One way to gain a lot of extra space on your desk is to get a desktop computer monitor mount with great features like fingertip tilt and swivel. It will give your desk much-needed space, plus the mounting plate can even be turned an incredible 360 degrees. More desk essentials include a penholder, stackable file trays, drawer dividers, and a file cabinet. Drawer organizers are also great for keeping smaller items neat and organized.

Essential electronics only

As a rule of thumb, you should only keep the essential electronics on your desk. These can include your computer, keyboard, modem, phone, etc. As far as other items like cell phone chargers, headphones, and external hard drives should be stored in either the desk drawers or in a nearby container.

Keep the desk neat

Your clean desk will only stay that way if you make the effort to keep it organized. Over time, it may be tempting to simply resort to tossing the day’s mail on top of the desk, but remind yourself that a neat workspace means better productivity. This is especially true if you work from home. Don’t buy office supplies that you don’t need, even if they are on sale! Make use of a notepad or stick-it notes. Clean your desk at least once a week to avoid pileup of clutter. With a little effort and some organization tools, you can turn your cluttered desk into a wonderfully motivating workspace where you can really get things done!