The centerpiece of your home office is your desk. If you've ever wondered why it's so hard to keep your desk from becoming a pile of paperwork, the answer may lie in your perspective on your desk space. According to Julie Morgenstern, a New York-based professional organizer and author of Never Check Email in the Morning and Surprising Strategies for Staying on Top of Your Work Life, many of us unconsciously use our desks as a de facto to-do list. A messy desk is often a reflection of the amount of work we have, she says. “Stacks of papers are a visual reminder of what you started and that you need to get back to.” And if your desk is messy, your home office is likely in need of organization, too.
To keep your desk clutter-free and on task, integrate your to-dos with your calendar. This way, you'll have a better idea of ​​how much work you have and “you won't need a pile of papers to remind you,” says Morgenstern. You can file your documents somewhere easy to access, scan them and store them digitally, or discard them if you don't need them. This will transform your desk from a dumping ground into a more action-oriented space. To get the most out of your desk and keep it organized, try these pro-recommended items.
Artistic Laptop Stand
“I'm the kind of person who likes to have some free space on my desk, it helps me focus,” says Janelle Williams, a professional organizer in Annapolis. “A lot of people don't realize that having a lot of stuff on your desk can be distracting.” She loves Soundance's “aesthetically pleasing and very functional” rose gold aluminum laptop stand, which also comes in nine other colors. “It elevates my laptop so I can create space and think about the task at hand, and when I'm on camera doing a Zoom meeting, it helps elevate my laptop without having to use five books.”
Rolling Cart and Magazine Holder
“I like to clear the paper clutter on my desk and put it somewhere else, so I use a wheeled cart with labeled magazine holders to store these papers,” says Williams. “I categorize them by action they require: things to sign, documents to read, bills to pay. When you have paper in your hands, you need to think about what to do with it. If you don't need the physical paper, scan it and store it digitally or throw it away.”
Metal Storage Box
“My workspace is simple and minimal, with the only thing I keep outside is a powder-coated white metal pantry box that I keep a blank notebook and pens in,” says Shira Gill, San Francisco-based organization expert and author of Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe and Life. Gill is working on another book, and she keeps her resource materials here, and she puts her laptop in the box when she's done. “It's a good way to clock out; it's a physical reminder that work is done,” she says. “A lot of people aren't working from a home office, they're moving around the house or working at the kitchen table, so they need a portable solution like this.”
The perfect pen
“It feels like a Maserati,” Morgenstern says of her favorite Uniball black gel pen. “It's incredibly smooth and glides on easily in your hand, and the 1.0mm tip means it writes more firmly than other pens and feels solid on the paper.” The pen also fits the overall aesthetic and feel of her home office. “I work at a desk that my partner built from a 500-year-old oak plank, which gives it a sense of substance and weight and helps me to be more engaged with my work,” Morgenstern says. “On top of that, I have a glazed ceramic pen cup that someone made for me. In it, I keep about four black gel pens, one or two pencils, and a highlighter,” she says.
Water Carafe and Cup Set
“I love the water carafe and cup set because I'm conscious about staying hydrated at work,” says Gill, who favors Fern Living's Ripple edition. Some studies suggest that drinking enough water can help improve alertness and cognitive function. “The design is modern and compact, and the carafe's opening is wide enough to fit ice and lemon, making it feel like you're at a spa. It's an easy way to elevate your day.”
Old fashioned timer
“This little device that shows 60 minutes helps you keep track of time and manage your pace when you're doing a virtual presentation,” Morgenstern says of the Time Timer Mod Visual Timer. “Let's say you have to speak for 45 minutes. You set it to 45 minutes and it turns red and clicks down. This helps you manage your pace when you're doing a visual presentation.” The timer is also useful for anyone who practices “time boxing,” allocating specific amounts of time to certain tasks. “It's a really powerful tool for staying on time.”
All-in-one space-saving
To free up space, Williams also uses a mini turntable, like this one from West Elm: “Instead of having a container for scissors, a container for pens, a container for pencils, you can use this,” so you don't have to fumble for a pen while on a phone call.
Bead Basket
“I store my earphones, hand cream, and lip balm in beautiful beaded baskets from local stalwart Saffron & Paw,” Gill says of the Mill Valley, Calif.-based store. “I love supporting this store because their products are ethically handmade and sourced from artisans all over the world.” At the end of the day, she places the basket on top of her laptop so she's organized the next time she logs in.
Rustic Vase
“I buy fresh flowers every week because fresh flowers make me feel like I'm 50% happier. They make my house feel like a luxury hotel,” says Gill. “I buy my flowers at the farmers' market. I choose what's in season. I choose really affordable greenery, like olive branches and lemon leaves,” she says. “You can get a big bouquet for just $5, and they look so pretty in this ceramic vase.” If your desk isn't a good place to put a vase because it's small or your little kids or pets might bump into it, consider a nearby spot where you can enjoy your flowers. “I put the vase on the mantel, next to a framed piece of art and a beautiful candle,” says Gill. “My Zoom background is also a candle.” For more green-related ideas to level up your workspace, check out our roundup of the best gifts for your boss.
tranquil wall art
“I work in my dining area, not at my desk,” explains Los Angeles-based professional organizer Beth Penn. “During lockdown, we were able to escape to the mountains a few times, and it felt like an adventure. What I wanted to bring back from there was that feeling of being surrounded by nature.” So the author of The Little Book of Tidying: Declutter Your Home and Your Life allocated an entire side of the room for nature, installing a Misty Fir Forest Wall Mural by Rebel Walls. “I'm always sitting at the end of the table on the other side of the wall, so I had to fill this space with something beautiful. Nothing is more soothing than looking at this giant forest mural every day,” Penn says. This type of wall treatment will be especially appreciated in home offices that don't have a relaxing view or window.
Thoughtfully designed notebooks
She also pens Bindewerk's Inspiration Sketchbook A5. “I love writing in notebooks and this notebook is perfect for that. I bought it from a little local store called Shorthand,” she says. “Once I'm done with my notes, I can tear out the perforated pages, which for me is a really important feature in a notebook. The pages are thick and heavy, which makes my ideas seem more important than they are.” If you're also the type who loves to take notes, having separate notebooks for work and personal lists and ideas can help you stay organized.
Stylish Stapler and Tape Dispenser
“I need to keep a stapler and a tape dispenser on hand at all times. They're cute and not too office-like, which is important since my office vibe right now is very 'shed,'” says Penn. “You have to enjoy the place you work.” While many people don't think about how practical items like this reflect their personal style, the visual appeal of everyday items can lift your mood and motivate you.
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