Operation: Get your Desktop Organized!

More of us then ever before are working from home these days. And if you’re like me, well, you may be reassessing your “home office”. While it might not be an actual office (mine is a desk that I share with the kids in the kitchen), having a space that feels put together + organized can make a big difference in your productivity. Ready for a little refresh? We’d love it if you’d join us for: operation: get your desktop organized! At Style + Dwell we partnered with The Container Store to show you how some of our favorite organizing products can transform your desk space in an instant.

Desktop Essentials

Personally I love having an orderly surface to work on (no surprise there)! But I do have a few key things that are always on my desk. A “must have” for me are sticky notes. To stay organized throughout the day, I’ll often use them to jot down priority “to do’s.” Things that don’t require immediate attention, or longer term projects will go in my digital calendar or paper planner (for more planner tips, we have a dedicated post: “Making a Paper Planner Work for You.”)

A big desktop calendar is another one of my essentials, as you can see the entire month in quick glance. One other item usually on my desk is a pencil jar, especially if I’m reading over something that requires taking notes and highlighting. Besides those items (and of course a cup of coffee 😉 I like having my workspace uncluttered. I keep the majority of my office supplies in a drawer, so they’re accessible but hidden away.

Organize Those Drawers

Speaking of drawers, this is often where the clutter likes to hide! Confession: before I whipped my desk into shape, I was a big free pen hoarder. I don’t know what it is about those pens at hotels or meetings, but somehow I had accumulated quite the collection! Maybe I have a fear of running out of ink? Who knows – but I will say my drawers look 100% better with only a few select pens. These assorted rainbow ball point pens are my new favorites (they write in black, but make for pretty good eye candy)!

To help keep all the supplies organized + separated in my drawer, I love these white accessory trays. In my desk drawers you’ll also find a few decorative boxes. One for my back stock of office supplies, and another dedicated to mail/ stationary. Speaking of supplies, doesn’t work become a little more enjoyable with pretty tools to use? This stapler and tape dispenser – come in an acrylic + gold combo that is oh so pretty.

Separate + Contain

Often times several people are sharing a desk area in a home. Having different zones for each family member is a great way to keep organized. For example in my house, the desk has 4 distinct areas. A drawer full of all of the office supplies, a file drawer, and one for mail/stationary. The kids do have the last drawer just for them, and since they’re little it houses mainly crafts. As they grow the hanging file boxes will transition from housing coloring books to school projects.

We also have a cabinet next to the desk where we have an electronics charging station, a Magazine holder for my 5 year old’s workbooks, and a stackable letter tray to sort all of that construction paper.

There are SO many different ways to organize an office space. When you’re working on yours, focus on what will be the most efficient for your personal needs. Try to only keep what you really need, file important documents away, and don’t be afraid to let some of those free pens go 😉

Happy organizing!

Ashley + Lindsay