I recently moved to complete work from my home office, and I first organized my desk decor. I’m taking the pages out of my book about desk decor ideas for this article.
In my opinion, an organized workspace is the most important thing for productivity. Although organization is the most important, style is a close second.
It’s essential for our mental positivity that our desk decor not only be functional but also reflect our style. If you’re like me, you spend at least 6 hours a day at your desk, so we need our desk decor to reflect our lifestyles.
Desk Decor Ideas for Style
Desk Organizers
Desk organizers are a game changer. I have pens, highlighters, postcards, tape, rulers, and many other office supplies floating around my desk daily.
The best way to keep all the loose office supplies organized is one of these handy organizers. I particularly like this one, which is a lazy Susan-style organizer. This is what sits on my desk.
Desk Decor Calendar
Having a desk decor calendar will save you time every day from picking up your phone or waking up your computer to see the date. You can get them with inspirational quotes to help you have a better day, like this one!
I often have paperwork to sign and date, and I can’t tell you how often I’ve been distracted by messages when I picked up my phone to see the date. A desk decor calendar solves that problem, and they are stylish too!
Accent Pieces
Accents are helpful for organization but reflect our style more than other things on our desks.
I have a small leather catch-all on the corner of my desk. This is where I put coupons that I use for work supplies. This is helpful because they are right in front of me when I go to leave, so that way, I don’t get to the store and remember too late that I have coupons I want to use.
I also have a small elephant statue that has no function at all other than to reflect my style and, on occasion, act as a conversation starter.
Accessories
Accessories are things like your mouse pad, coasters, and stapler.
I have a rose gold stapler that matches my clock. And my mouse pad is marbled in rose gold, gray, and ivory. It all ties together with my office decor and brings me joy daily to be surrounded by colors and items that reflect my style.
Lamps
A lamp is often the most significant statement piece on your desk. I know it is mine. The lamp you choose says a lot about the person you are.
Find a lamp that suits your style and personality. Go as bold as you’d like here; people will love it when they sit with you.
Vases
I have a vase on my desk, but I don’t use it for flowers. I like to consider my style classy but functional.
I use a vase to bring style to my loose writing tools and highlighters, so I use it as storage for them. It’s much more beautiful than a bare wire or plastic one, and it’s rose gold to continue my rose gold theme.
Collectibles
I’m not a collector, but some people are. For example, my husband has a collection of signed posters of professional dirt bikers we’ve made friends with over the years. He has them on the wall behind his “desk,” which is more of a workbench.
I see a lot of desks that have collections on them. I’d say it’s a popular trend!
How to Organize Your Office Desk to Optimize Flow
Having an organized and stylish desk is nice, but if you want to get work done, you need to ensure things are set up to optimize your space and time.
Organize for Efficiency
Efficiency comes from ensuring you place things in a way that takes the least energy to reach them.
For example, if you’re right-handed, place the items you use often on your right side. Are there certain books you have to reference often? Put them on your desk to double as desk decor!
Make sure all the things you use frequently are right at your fingertips and within a hand’s reach.
I have many things, including highlighters, scissors, post-it notes, and a ruler laid out in a way that looks classy but places these items within reach without me having to turn around or move from my seat.
Workstation Layout
I have two monitors on my desk, so I placed them in a way that was easiest for me to move things about the screens. I also made sure not to block the view out of my office window since it brings me joy during the day to look out.
I always have a notebook to my right, ready to take notes of anything important or from online classes.
I also have a coaster specifically for my water glass. I like to stay hydrated during the day, and when my water runs out, I take that as my sign to take a 10-minute walk to refresh my glass and my brain.
Creative Workspace
Your workspace moves beyond your desk. Your entire office is your workspace. If you are the creative type, such as myself, you likely use the whole office.
I have a whiteboard to put my thoughts down in color, often like a mind map. That way, I can study it and grow my ideas, changing it as I progress.
Color is for the creative!
Hide Cords
The cords are so pesky! Hopefully, one day, they will be completely unnecessary.
In the meantime, please don’t mess up your workflow or style by having them haphazardly strung across your desk.
Most desks have holes so you can run the cords under the table.
I use a dining table for my desk, so it doesn’t have them. I ran them along the backside of the table so they were out of my way.
If your desk has no memorable cord holes, drill a hole. It will enhance your vibe drastically by cleaning up your desk.
Use a Wooden Stand for Extra Storage
Do papers accumulate on your desk, taking up precious real estate? If yes, use one of these wooden file stands! It’s a perfect addition to help you organize your materials and still give you desktop room!
Technical Challenges of Desk Decor
There can be technical challenges caused by desk decor and organization. Often, these problems revolve around power outlets, lack of storage or room, lack of shelves, and messiness. Here are my solutions!
Extension Cords
Is the only outlet on the opposite side of the room? Here are some ways to solve that:
- Run an extension cord under an area rug or runner
- Use cable clips to run an extension cord nicely around the baseboards.
- Have an electrician add an outlet to a place that’s convenient for you- it’s worth it!
Lack of Room
Lack of room is often an issue! Here are ways I’ve found to increase usable area:
- Floating shelves- these take up ZERO ground space and look classy on the walls
- Monitor this is a file shelf on which you can set your monitor, allowing you to use the space underneath.
- Stackable file trays with an organizer drawer at the bottom
Clutter
Nobody can work productively with a mess on and around their desk! This is my number one suggestion to increase productivity immediately: eliminate clutter!
Those collected desk decor items we were talking about earlier, are they infringing on your desk space? Make sure to take care of this right away by installing those floating shelves I mentioned above!
Those stacks of paper? Use the stackable file trays we talked about earlier! These are perfect for storing your stationary and note papers.
Pens floating around? Get a small vase or a lazy Susan organizer!
The Ultimate Goal
The ultimate goal is to have a desk that you feel joy sitting down to every day, allowing you to work diligently on the things that make up your livelihood.
All these small but mighty changes make a difference in your output and your creativity level. It’s scientifically proven that a disorganized workspace will detract from your ability to work.
Make these changes now, and you’ve taken step number 1 to reach the success you’re striving for!
