5 Ways to Keep Your Work Desk Organized

Keeping your desk organized, whether it be at home or work, is extremely important. A clean desk can help increase productivity and it can allow you to keep a clear mind throughout the day. Doing so can be a difficult task because of all the various tasks that you complete throughout your day. These five tips will help you keep your desk clean if you practice them each day.

1. Only Keep Items that You Need on Your Desk

It is much easier to keep a space clean when minimal things are occupying it. This is why you should aim to only keep items that are a necessity on your desk. Only keeping necessary items will allow you to keep the area organized. Also, if the area does become cluttered, then it will be much easier to clean/organize.

The necessary items that are likely to be included on your desk are your computer monitor, keyboard, pen/pencil holder, a stack of papers, a notebook, and a lamp. Of course, there may be other things on your desk, but you should attempt to keep those items to a minimum.

This link details the benefits of a clean desk and how it can result from including very little on your desk: https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/blog/benefits-organized-desk/

2. Only Include Relevant/Urgent Documents on Your Desk

As mentioned in the first tip, there is likely to be some kind of a stack of papers on your desk. If it is your desk at work, then it is likely that you are handed a lot of papers each day while you sit at your desk. You should develop some sort of filing system at your desk to keep proper track of these papers. The only papers that should be out on your desk are papers that you are currently referencing or are associated with your current task.

If you work from home, then you are likely dealing with much fewer paper handouts throughout your day. This means that you will likely not have to worry about keeping track of as many pieces of paper. However, you should still try to avoid having too many pieces of paper on your desk.

3. Keep the Space Around Your Computer/Monitor Clear

When you are seated at your desk you are likely using your computer in some capacity. This means that your eyes are constantly on your monitor and the area around your monitor. The less you have around your monitor the fewer distractions there are. Also, since your monitor and keyboard take up most of your desk, your desk should be clean by this space being clean.

In addition to your desk being clean, if you keep this area of your desk clean then you are likely going to be more productive. Less clutter means fewer distractions, which will allow you to get more work done.

4. Keep Loose Wires/Cords Under Control

Your desk may be organized, but loose wires and cords may give the appearance of a cluttered desk. Various pieces of equipment can organize those cables and help improve the look of your desk. Not only will the equipment manage the cords and wires, but it will also make sure that they are protected from any kind of damage.

5. Store Similar Items Together on Your Desk

This is a basic tip that goes for all kinds of organization/cleaning. While this tip may be incredibly basic, it is also extremely important. Just because the surface of your desk is clear of clutter does not mean it is organized. The drawers under your desk may have mixed and matched items in them, which can make it hard to keep track of things. Make sure that when you are putting items/papers in your desk drawers that they are correlated to each other and that the drawers are properly labeled.

Conclusion

If you are truly concerned with keeping your desk clean and organized, then you should practice all five of these tips. These five tips will allow you to minimize clutter and maintain a relatively clean workspace. There are other tips that you can use to reach higher levels of cleanliness/organization if you wish. Some of those tips include minimizing personal items and avoiding eating at your desk. Again, if you are looking for higher levels of cleanliness, then you may want to seek out more tips.