You know the feeling. You sit down at your desk, ready to start your work for the day, and are immediately overwhelmed by the mess. Papers are scattered everywhere, coffee mugs are piled up high, and you can’t even find your favorite pen. Sound familiar?
If you’re constantly struggling to keep your desk clean and organized, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, studies have shown that the average person spends up to one hour every day looking for lost or misplaced items!
Thankfully, there are a few simple tips and tricks that can help you get your desk organized once and for all. Keep reading for our top 11 tips for organizing a messy desk:
1. Use Storage Bins
Storage bins are inexpensive and versatile. They come in different sizes and shapes, so you can choose the right size to fit your needs. For example, large storage bins are perfect for storing documents, small ones are useful for holding pens and pencils, and medium-sized bins are best for keeping stationery items like paper clips and staples.
2. Create a Systematic Desk Organization Plan
It’s helpful to plan out your desk organization before you begin organizing. Start by creating a system that makes sense for you. For example, if you tend to leave papers scattered around your desk, try putting everything in a designated area first. Once you feel comfortable with your system, you can move on to organizing other areas of your desk.
3. Label Items
Labeling items is another effective organizational strategy. When you label something, you give it meaning and purpose. Labeling also allows you to find things easily later on. For example, if you have a lot of pens and pencils, you can label each one with its color or type. This way, you won’t have to search through a pile of writing utensils to find the one you need.
4. Keep Only What You Need
One of the best ways to keep your desk organized is to reduce the amount of clutter in the first place. Go through your desk and get rid of anything that you don’t use on a regular basis. For example, if you have a collection of pens that you never use, get rid of them. The same goes for old paperwork and documents. If you don’t need it, get rid of it.
5. Make a Schedule
If you find yourself struggling to keep your desk organized, try making a schedule. Dedicate some time each day to cleaning up your workspace. For example, you can spend five minutes at the end of each day tidying up your desk. This way, you’ll start each day with a clean slate.
6. Group Like Things Together
Group similar items together. For example, put all of your pens in one bin, all of your staplers in another, and all of your scissors in yet another. By grouping like items together, you save time searching for specific tools.
7. Keep Your Desk Clean
Finally, one of the best ways to keep your desk organized is to simply keep it clean. Wipe down your desk regularly, and don’t let dirty dishes or garbage accumulate. A clean desk is a productive desk!
8. Put Everything Back Where You Found It
Don’t forget to return items to their original location after you finish using them. Otherwise, you may end up losing track of where you left them. This is especially important for small items like paper clips and staples.
9. Clean Up Daily
Cleaning up daily keeps your desk clean and uncluttered. Before you go home, empty your wastebasket and throw away anything that doesn’t belong there. Also, sweep or vacuum your floor regularly. These tasks ensure that you won’t walk back into your office to find piles of clutter waiting for you.
10. Organize Weekly
Once per week, sort through your desk drawers and files and toss anything that’s outdated or unnecessary. Donate or recycle anything that belongs elsewhere. This way, you won’t have to waste time sorting through piles of clutter when you’re trying to find something specific.
11. Don’t Procrastinate
Finally, one of the worst things you can do is put off cleaning up your desk. The longer you wait, the more cluttered it will become. So, if you see something that doesn’t belong, put it away immediately. The same goes for papers and documents. If you don’t need them, get rid of them.
Final Note
Organizing your desk doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these simple tips, you can keep your desk tidy and uncluttered. Soon, you’ll be able to find anything you need in a matter of seconds!
