Clear Your Desk, Clear Your Mind
We’ve all been there, sitting at a cluttered desk, trying to focus, but feeling like our brains are bouncing in a hundred different directions. Disorganised workspaces can make us feel stuck, drained, or even overwhelmed. The good news? Getting things in order doesn’t need to be complicated or boring.
A well-organised desk, Desk Tidy helps clear up mental space, boosts focus, and even makes work feel more enjoyable. Whether you’re working from home or at the office, it only takes a few simple changes to turn your chaos into calm.
Let’s take a look at how to organise your workstation so it supports your best work and keeps your stress levels low.
Step One: Start with a Clean Slate
Before we begin organising, it’s time to clear everything off your desk. Take everything-yes-yes-yes yes, everything, off the surface. That includes papers, pens, mugs, and random cables that have taken up home. Give the surface a quick wipe down. You’ll be amazed at how different your desk looks already.
Next, sort your stuff into three categories:
- Items you use every day
- Items you use occasionally
- Items you never use
Only the essentials you actually use every day belong on your desktop. The rest can be managed into drawers, shelves, or tossed altogether. This simple act sets the stage for a fresh, more focused workspace.
Create Zones that Make Sense
Think of your desk like a mini city. Everything should live in a place that makes it simple to reach without turning it into a mess. Create zones to match how you work.
For example:
- A working zone for your laptop or monitor, keyboard
- A writing zone for notebooks and pens
- A storage zone with drawers or boxes for papers and supplies
Having a purpose for each area helps reduce decision fatigue. You won’t waste energy trying to remember where you put something. You’ll just… know.
Keep things you use often within arm’s reach. Items like your notebook, pen holder, or your phone deserve a spot in the easiest-to-reach area.
Tame the Paper Monster
Piles of paper might look harmless, but they often hold the key to stress. Whether it’s letters, receipts, or documents, it’s better to control paper rather than let it grow into heaps. A vertical file holder or a desktop letter tray can be a game changer.
Need to keep specific documents to hand? Have a dedicated drawer or file box for records that are important but not needed daily.
Take it one step further by going digital when you can. Scan papers using a phone app and keep them organised into cloud folders. That way, your desk stays tidy and you always know where to find that invoice from six months ago.
If you’re constantly handling letters and envelopes, a proper letter opener can speed things up and keep everything neat. You can find a great range of high-quality letter openers at A2B Office.
Keep Your Desktop Essentials Handy
While minimalism works wonders, some tools truly deserve a spot on your desk. Think about your daily basics, things like pens, highlighters, scissors, sticky notes, and your stapler. All these small things need a permanent home so they don’t end up scattered.
We love using desk tidies because they keep everything in one spot and look neat while doing it. It makes grabbing what you need easier, and putting it back just as simple.
Don’t forget quality scissors, you’d be surprised how often they’re needed. Good scissors that glide smoothly through paper can make tasks hassle-free.
For even better results, check out the complete desk set available at A2B Office. These sets come with everything matched and ready to organise your supplies in style.
Match Tech to Your Comfort
Monitors or laptops sitting too low or too high can ruin your posture and your mood. Raising them to the correct level helps keep your neck and back in the right position.
Monitor and laptop risers come in various styles and are easy to use. They lift the screen to eye level, which makes long hours of work less painful.
Bonus tip: If you’re using your laptop a lot, consider getting a separate keyboard and mouse so you’re not hunched over the screen. This setup is better for your arms and shoulders, too.
When everything is physically in the right place, your mind follows right behind.
Make Drawers Work Harder
Drawers can be your best friend or your biggest enemy, it depends on whether they’re tidy or just full of lost pens and unknown wires. To stay on top of the game, split your drawers into sections.
Use small boxes or drawer dividers to keep things in order. Rubber bands, spare batteries, flash drives, they all need their spot.
If you’re starting fresh or need better storage options, take a look at drawer sets from A2B Office. They’re affordable, look clean, and they stop things from getting lost in the shuffle. A couple of labelled drawers go a long way when it comes to working smarter.
Curate Your Tools
Let’s talk about the digital and visual tools that keep your desk more productive. If your job involves copying or viewing paperwork on-screen, then a good copyholder can make your life much easier. Holding papers at eye level means you’re not bending your neck all day, and your typing speed may even improve.
A calendar, to-do list or pin board is another way to stay on track without overloading your digital screens. Add a few sticky notes for urgent reminders and a weekly plan to stay ahead of deadlines. The key is to make your tools support you, so you don’t rely on memory alone.
Your workspace should be a quiet assistant, not a loud boss.
Add Personal Touches (But Keep It Light)
We all like to feel comfortable and happy while we work. While it’s great to have some personality on your desk, remember not to overdo it.
One or two personal items, like a family photo, a plant, or a fun mug, can lift your mood without creating clutter. A bit of green goes a long way, small desk plants like succulents or indoor bamboo are easy to care for and instantly boost the vibe.
The trick is to add items that make you smile but don’t distract you every five minutes.
FAQs
How often should we clean our desk?
Once a week is ideal. Do a quick scan for rubbish, old coffee cups and papers that don’t belong. Once a month, do a deeper clean where you wipe everything down and review your drawer contents.
Where should you place your monitor or laptop?
Your screen should be right in front of you at eye level. If you’re using a laptop daily, a riser is the best way to improve comfort and focus.
Can kids and teens use these tips too?
Absolutely. Whether it’s homework or gaming, keeping desks tidy works for everyone. Kids will find it easier to focus, and it builds great habits for the future.
Is a messy desk really that bad?
It depends. If it makes you feel stressed or lose things frequently, then yes. A bit of mess isn’t terrible, but too much clutter stops you from doing your best work.
Bring Calm, Clarity and Control to Your Desk
Organising your desk isn’t about being perfect, it’s about creating a space that works with you, not against you. With just a few clever changes, you can go from messy to manageable. And the boost in focus and energy is always worth the effort.
From finding the right desktop essentials to using smart storage solutions, A2B Office has everything you need to tidy up with ease. Whether you work in an office, study at home, or just want peace of mind each day, your desk is a great place to start.
Now’s the time to take control. Let’s tidy up, feel better, and get more done, one item at a time. Ready to create your clutter-free zone? Visit A2B Office and build your perfect workspace today.
