Sure, an organized desk setup looks good and helps you stay on task. However, an organized desktop won't help if your desk drawers are cluttered. Finding the office supplies you need during a customer call or meeting with your boss is important to keeping your workday running smoothly and efficiently.
Whether you're arranging your work-from-home space or working on setting it up in the office, an organized desk drawer can make a big difference. A robust drawer organization system also lets you know when to restock your highlighters and binder clips.
Use these desk drawer organization tips to keep your workspace in tip-top shape.
1. Organize office supplies
Before organizing your desk drawer, decide exactly what you'll store there. Do you rarely use a three-hole punch? It probably doesn't need to take up major space in your desk drawer. First, he takes everything out of the drawer and sorts the items into two categories. These are items you can easily access while sitting at your desk, and items you can store elsewhere in your office. It's also a great time to get rid of things you no longer need, like dry pens, broken rubber bands, and old paper. This should leave you with a handy pile of supplies that you can quickly put back in your desk drawer.
2. Sort by category
Once you have items left that you use regularly, categorize them by type. This process can be as specific or broad as you want. For example, I need to group all my pencils together. However, if you only own a few, you may want to create a broader writing instrument category that combines pencils and pens, highlighters, or markers. Similarly, if you have multiple types of scissors, group them together. Cellophane tape and washi tape? They go together!
ed gorich
3. Trim loose ends
Before putting it back in the drawer, wrap anything that might come undone, such as stamp rolls, tape measures, earphones, and charging cables. Depending on the type of work you do, you may need to have several cords and chargers nearby. To save space in your desk drawer, organize all cables as compactly as possible. Use bundlers or wraps with the option to label each cord for easy identification. In a pinch, twist ties or small Velcro can come in handy.
4. Prioritize the top drawer
If your desk has a large number of drawers, it's important to use the extra storage space wisely. Organize things you use every day in the top drawer, things you use once a week in the middle, and things you use occasionally in the bottom drawer. Even if you only have one drawer, you can use this technique to prioritize the supplies you need most and keep them front and center, while pushing the items you don't use often to the back.
sandra johnson
5. Organize with desk drawer containers
Now comes the fun part. Find a desk drawer or organizer that fits your aesthetic. If you know where you put things, you're more likely to put them back where they were. Clear acrylic inserts are a popular choice, but you don't have to give up if they don't suit your style. Bamboo organizers, expandable trays, mesh containers, and even repurposed items like muffin trays and jewelry boxes can be affordable organizational solutions if they fit in drawers and are the right size for the items you're storing. . Long, narrow organizers are good for items like rulers, while smaller square or round organizers are perfect for push pins and paper clips.
To keep containers from sliding around in your desk drawer, use a hack used by professional organizers. Roll up a small amount of putty or museum gel and place in the corner of each organizer. This will hold it in place but not scratch the bottom of the drawer. If you need to reorganize at any time, simply lift the insert and refresh the putty or gel when you put it back on.
Better Homes & Gardens / Jacob Fox
6. Make a DIY partition board
If you can't find the perfect container for your desk drawer, consider using adjustable dividers instead. This type of organizer is a little more flexible as you can adjust the length to suit your space. But make sure the height exceeds the top of the drawer. Like elongated containers, adjustable dividers are perfect for larger items like scissors and staplers. The bamboo spring-loaded version is popular, but if you're a DIY fan, you can also make your own drawer dividers with his DIY.
adam albright
7. Add labels
Labeling your desk drawers in or on top will help keep you more organized in the long run. Use a label maker like the one you use for important file folder tabs to enter categories and supply zones within the drawer. Attach to the inside edge of a drawer or the front part of a container. Label tape can be removed and rearranged at any time, allowing you to adjust your labels as your needs change.