A Desk Makeover

Offices are one of the most challenging organizing tasks.  However, they are also one of the most rewarding.  It’s because organizing your desk can help you pay your bills on time, get more tone and manage your home more efficiently.

I set out to organize a client’s desk, but she didn’t want to spend a lot of money. She had a large work surface, but since we works at home, the need for it to be as functional as possible.

In the picture above you can see the before of the desk….When I was done all of the desk was clear and open.  I labeled the letter trays in the sides with a label maker.  The trash can that came with the kit (read on for more details) was used as a place for shredding.

So, we started by getting everything off the desk that didn’t matter or didn’t get used every day.  While it’s wonderful to have pretty things in our work space, sometimes too many of them can get in the way.  Make sure that the things you have in front of you are amazing, but not too large in size or quantity.

We used some tools from Staples.  None of them were expensive and we were able to get a full matching set, giving the desk a high end, custom look at a fraction of the cost.

We first used this kit to organize all of the small items that are necessary, but can really clutter up a surface easily.  One of them hold post it notes, another holds pens and pencils, one is for mail that needs attention (bills, invites to RSVP to, etc), the trash can is under the desk.  The last container, a small rectangular piece is perfect to hold a phone, tablet and agenda when they are not in use.

For all of those small items that really find their way onto your desk and never seem to find their way off, I used this organizer.

It’s awesome for spare change, paper clips, binder clips, highlighters, and other items you want during the course of the day, but don’t want to get buried under all of your papers.  This is also a great tool for keeping your washi tape close at hand too!  Crafters can use this for  scrapbooking embellishments, beading supplies or even small crafts for kids!

Finally, it was time for the PAPER!  Yes, this is the toughest part of organizing any desk.  I used four of these letters trays and set to sorting.  I came up with four groups that we most important and worthy of being kept on the desk.  The first was things that needed to be done.  This includes mail that needs to be opened, addressed or read.  The second group was items that need to leave the desk area (things that need to be mailed or given back to your significant other or child).  The third group is items to be filed.  There is no need to file every day.  One a week or even once a month depending on the amount of paperwork you have.  Finally, the last bin is items to be scanned.  Just like filing, there’s no need to bother yourself with this every day.