8 Quick and Easy Ways to Make Your Workspace Tidy and Productive

You walk into your office and immediately feel stressed and overworked. Why is that? Your desk is a mess! It's covered in folders, papers, old coffee cups, pens (both usable and dead), paperclips, at least two staplers, and a million Post-its.

Now, tell me, how can you get any work done? How can you be productive and focused when you can barely see the top of your desk? And your computer desktop is crowded with icons and shortcuts too. They cover the wallpaper photo you chose to make your workspace serene and lovely (it isn't).

Did you know that 40% of workers surveyed assume that someone with a messy desk is less than competent at their job? And 28% of employers say they're less likely to promote someone with a disorganized work space.

Decluttering to the rescue! You can make your desk a place that lets you store and find what you need so you can do your best work. Not only that, but a clean and tidy space projects a better image of you as an organized, responsible person who does a stellar job.

Take these steps to a decluttered desk.

1. Decide on your ideal.

Do you want to be efficient? Relaxed? Creative? Or maybe all three! You'll need:

all tools and supplies organized and in their own places
plenty of open space to spread out your work
a few quirky or personal things to inspire you

2. Take a photo.

Have you ever visited another office and noticed clutter that your colleague seemed blissfully unaware of? The same is true of your office. Visitors probably notice a lot of things you've tuned out.

Open your own eyes by taking a few photos. This lets you see your space from a visitor's perspective, and you might be shocked. Take a photo from the doorway, then move round and shoot from different angles, including under and behind the desk and other furniture. There's no quicker way to identify areas that need attention.

3. Start from scratch.

It's not uncommon to have items in your work area that haven't been touched for months, but that doesn't mean they need to stay there. Don't let them crowd your space while adding nothing to your ability to do your job.

So first, remove all the trash: coffee cups, food wrappers, tissues, junk mail, etc.

Next, using another table or a couple of chairs, put all the books/magazines in one pile and papers in another. Then sort quickly to determine:

materials you consult on a regular basis
items that belong together as part of a currently ongoing project
pieces that need to be filed
things that can be shredded or recycled

Third, remove all other items from your desk and drawers: markers, mugs, clocks, candles, photos, plants, notepads, scissors, lamps, vases, etc. Group like with like.

Finally, wipe your desk and drawers with a damp rag or anti-bacterial wipe. Don't forget to wipe off your computer, and use compressed air and/or a cotton swab to clean the keyboard.

4. Organize based on practicality.

Now that your desk is clean and empty, you're going to return only the items you need in order of how often you use them. For example, pens you use every day should go in a cup on top of your desk, and other frequently-used items like notepads, paperclips, and the stapler should go in a top drawer, where access is quick and easy. Lesser-used items, such as headphones, snacks, or disinfectant wipes, can go in lower drawers. Arrange everything you need with most-used near at hand, and least-used furthest away.

Choose one favorite mug, and you'll immediately streamline your coffee or tea routine. Choose one favorite plant, vase, photo, and/or candle, and distribute them around your space, preferably on a shelf over your desk rather than on it. (If you want to be able to display more than one photo, consider using a digital photo frame.*) If you need a lamp or a clock, add those too. All excess items should be put into a box for donation.

Use a small shelf or bookends to corral useful reference books. Create folders (or designate a basket, binder, or bin) for each project or to organize files. Get the excess out of your space immediately.

* This blog is reader-supported, with no ads! If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.

5. Get cables under control.

The number of cables in every office seems to multiply overnight, and whether those cables are on top of or underneath your desk, it can be a never-ending battle to keep them under control. Some people choose to ignore this issue, but lack of organization is not only unattractive, it can cause delays and difficulties in correcting a problem when one occurs.

To begin, get rid of cables for tech you no longer own! (And if you've replaced it and still have it stashed somewhere "just in case," donate or recycle right away.) Next, create labels and organization boxes.

6. Digitize notes and documents.

A lot of your clutter is probably paper-based: meeting notes, business cards, sticky notes, forms, and more. These things not only take up space and look messy, but they're probably not things you need to consult regularly. Instead of keeping them around just in case they're ever useful, scan or type them up instead. Add business card information to your phone contacts, take pictures of essential documents, and use a notes app on your phone. Be sure to create a system of folders so you can search for and find what you need quickly and conveniently.

7. Corral creative inspiration.

If you're a person who keeps pictures, notecards, quotes, or cartoons for fun and inspiration, use a bulletin board or a wall hanging with scrolled metal you can slide pieces into. Discard old items when you add new ones.

8. Develop stronger habits.

The biggest change that will help you stay clutter-free is a new habit of cleanliness and organization.

Always put tools and supplies away after you've used them.

Whenever a new object enters your office, such as a piece of mail, a new document, or a Secret Santa gift, plan what you'll do with it right away, or at least by the end of the day. Scan, file, trash, shred, recycle, replace something else – choose an action and follow through.

Each evening as you prepare to leave, take a few minutes to return your desk to its uncluttered state.

Remember that piles grow when we don't tend to them, so prevention is the best solution for staying clutter-free.

A sharper image

A clean desk is energizing, inspiring, and a sign that you're in control of your tasks. Think of your desk as prime real estate where plenty of innovation and efficiency happens, so whatever sits on it needs to earn the honor. Now you're ready to do your best work!

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