The Best Ways To Tidy Up Your Office Desk

According to Harvard Business Review, a clean and tidy workspace works wonders for boosting productivity and your mood. Working in a cluttered home office for long periods has worse side effects, like reduced decision-making skills, lower overall mood, and increased anxiety. A messy working environment can even cause stress in our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Unfortunately, cortisol, the stress hormone, is found in larger quantities in workers with cluttered and messy spaces.

Individuals that spend more time working in clean, organized spaces tend to feel happier, be more productive and efficient with their time, and also have positive relationships with their colleagues. Cleaning off your desk is one thing, but keeping it tidy every day can be a difficult task. Whether you are naturally a neat freak or tend to be a little on the messy side, these tips will help you get more done and feel better doing it.

Scanning your documents and storing them on your computer or hard drive often means that you won't need to save the original paper copies. This way, you can reduce clutter on your desk. However, most people without scanners in their home office might not want to purchase one since they won't use it frequently or have enough storage space. According to Xerox, even if you work in an office with a scanner, there may be a line of people waiting to use it each day.

If you need to get things scanned quickly and securely, you probably already have what you need: a smartphone. There are dozens of easy-to-use scanning applications for iOS and Android users that use the phone's camera apps to create crisp, professional images (via The New York Times). Most of the big tech players have an option for you to choose from, including Adobe, Microsoft, and Google. Depending on your price point, you can purchase a scanning app separately or use it as part of a larger business software subscription.

According to Better Homes & Gardens, there may be more bacteria on your office desk than in a public toilet, especially if it's a large office. In one survey, almost 25% of participants admitted they don't wash their hands during a typical workday (via Joblist). Yuck! Try to avoid the buildup of clutter and grime on your desk so that you (and your colleagues) stay healthy. Even if you work from home, desk hygiene is of the utmost importance.

Stay ahead of the curve by throwing away old receipts and wiping down your keyboard at least once a week, if not at the end of each workday. Use cleaning essentials like antiseptic wipes for this daily or weekly cleaning session and wipe down all high-touch surfaces, including your keyboard, mouse, desk, and phone. You'll also want to use a can of compressed air for removing dirt and grime from hard-to-reach places, like under the keys on your keyboard.

If you prefer to keep physical notes for yourself, that's fine. Just keep them all in one place, and don't scatter them across your workspace. It's even better to use a searchable app like Evernote or OneNote to keep things tidy and accessible. According to Karen Kingston, if you are prone to writing passwords, account numbers, or even the name of your favorite Thai place down on little scraps of paper, there is hope for you yet. You can start by collecting these notes and copying them into a notebook or physically pasting them inside the pages.

Even if you can collect all your scraps of information in one place or write everything in one notebook, you still have one problem: your notes are not searchable. Using a digital filing system is the best option because you can keep everything tidy and easily find what you need in a pinch. If you don't feel like paying for software or learning a new system, use a word processor like Word, Notes, or the Notes app on your phone. Write everything down digitally and back it up to the cloud so you can easily search for it later.

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, it's impossible to keep our desks tidy. We have too many electronics, books, files, and other supplies that we regularly use. If you've run out of space, consider purchasing floating shelves and placing them above your desk for better organization. These shelves are the perfect place to add cute decorations like plants or artwork.

According to Hunker, the first thing to consider is the height of your floating shelves. Think about whether or not you want to reach everything while sitting down. If this is the case, sit comfortably at your desk and extend your arm to determine the correct height. To place additional shelving units, pay close attention to symmetry (via DIY Inspired). Arrange shelving units equidistant from each other and anchor points (like the ceiling and door frame) to maintain a chic, organized look for your office.

It won't matter how clean and tidy your desktop is if the drawers are an absolute mess. To prevent your drawers from becoming a messy junkyard, purchase drawer organizers. These are a great way to maximize available space. According to The Strategist, these organizers come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. Whether you need to organize paper, office supplies, snacks, or a mixture of the three (plus, let's face it, probably some random junk), you're in luck. You will always be able to find an organizer that fits your style, budget, and space.

However, you don't need to use purpose-built containers for drawer organization (via Bob Vila). Plenty of baskets, containers, and other receptacles will work well if they fit the space. Using items you might typically find on a counter or shelf is a good idea if you only want to organize part of the drawer.

By dividing your desk into specific areas for the computer, phone, pens, and papers, you will create a designated spot for everything and a neater working surface. According to Bond Collective, it's best to set aside the middle of your desk for your computer since it's often the primary work tool. Next, if you have a landline at your desk, place it toward the back on the side of your dominant hand. This tip stops you from reaching across yourself and your work (and risk knocking over your coffee) to answer the phone.

Place any paperwork or other essential items in the corner of your desk opposite your phone, using space organizers to avoid a disorganized pile. Your personal effects, like family photos, a favorite water bottle, or a bowl of snacks, can be placed anywhere on your workspace, as long as it's convenient to you.

A great way to keep your desk tidy and do your part for the environment is to place a recycling bin next to your workspace. According to Trash Cans Depot, creating a designated place for recyclable items nearby makes recycling easier. Having a dual trash and recycling receptacle is a great idea. In addition to keeping your office greener, a nearby trash can stops you from hoarding trash in your workspace. It helps you throw away your trash quickly and easily.

Depending on your personal preferences and local environmental ordinances, you can organize your waste receptacles even more. For example, you might like to sort food waste from other garbage for compost or paper from plastic in your recycling. Keeping these options nearby will promote a clean, tidy, and waste-free workspace. To boost your mood and productivity, implement a recycling system in your office.