Q&A for How to Organize Your Desk

Organize your items and use space-saving storage options. Group the items you clean from your desk and decide what's worth keeping. Once you have all your pens together and all your scissors together, you might see that you have five scissors when you only need two. You can also tell what type of storage you need for what's left, like a large container for pens, and a smaller one for Post-it Notes.

When you're doing the initial clean, make sure everything has a home. Clear off the top of the desk and give everything a home in drawers or elsewhere. If you have an abundance of paperwork, put them in categories and organize them into folders in a filing cabinet off the desk. That way, you can just concentrate on putting things back where they belong.

Utilize all the drawers and compartments in your desk. First, clear out your drawers and measure them. Then, decide what type of drawer organizers you want and size them to your drawer. Have a designated holder for your stapler with your staple remover, your scissors, your pens, etc. so your drawers end up neat and organized.

Try to work more orderly. Put things away as soon as you're finished using them. Designate a place for everything on top of or inside the desk, and make sure it only goes there and nowhere else. Stay on top of it a little bit at a time, because that's how it becomes messy.

Don't wait until your desk is a mess to start cleaning. If you do, it'll become a daunting task and you'll be less likely to take care of it before it becomes a problem. Keep it decluttered and organize a little at a time. Throw away all trash and unneeded paper, and keep items you're not currently using out of sight in drawers.

You can use empty cans, jars, and mugs instead. If you'd like, you can even paint or decorate the jars or cans; make sure that they are clean!

Keep pens, a pencil or two, a highlighter, a Post-It Notes pad and an eraser in a cup in one corner of your desk. All these are must have items. Keep books in a cupboard and take them out only when needed.

Add motivational quotes/pics, have colored post-it notes, add beautiful stationery, etc., to add chic to your study table.

It is possible to buy little stands of cardboard drawers from stationery stores. These can be placed on top of the desk, perhaps in a back corner. Alternatively, you could use a set of metallic baskets on a wheeled stand that pulls up to your desk. Other alternatives include a stack of boxes of decreasing sizes, a small bookshelf or some plastic storage buckets.

Get your favorite things, like your phone, laptop, pencils, erasers, pens and paper and place them out in a small rectangular basket. Whenever you need desk space, all you need to do is pick up the whole basket, place it nearby, then use the whole desk. Then place the basket back when you're done.

Buy a letter tray (or two) and come up with a system for filing paperwork. Organize papers by what's finished and what still needs attention. Throw away everything you don't need. Yes, everything. This means probably 90% of the papers on your desk.

Decorate it as much as possible with delicate details to make it look as slender and stylish as possible.

Build something, such as a stack of plastic storage boxes to make space for books, stationery and objects. Use charity store baskets, bags and boxes to make storage that rises vertically.

Keep a minimal number of items on the desktop itself. Leave the most important items, like your computer or current paperwork, near the center, and keep everything else within arms reach while allowing yourself space to work.

You'll have to get creative about how you arrange things within the space you have, and, more importantly, throw out anything that isn't absolutely essential. With a smaller desk, the fewer things you have on it or in it, the better.

Some larger items (computer, printer, etc.) and essential items such as pens, stickie notes, paperclips, and important documents.

If it's one of those desks you can store things in, use one side for your books and the other for notebooks, loose papers, etc. Buy a small pencil case and store pencils, pens and erasers in whatever space you have left over. Try not to leave too much in your desk at one time--that's what your backpack is for!

Why are they hard to access? Figure that out first. Turn the desk or slide it over a few feet if an obstruction is an issue, or else clean them out thoroughly so that they'll open and close easier.

Use vertical space. Using a small bookshelf or even shelves can decrease the amount of desk space being used. Also, try hanging baskets or containers from the wall for holding more items. You can have a cart on wheels next to the desk too, or a wheeled chest of drawers that tucks under the desk when not in use.

Whatever helps you stay organized. This could be as much as a filing cabinet, storage closet, or bookshelf or as minimal as a simple waste basket. Keep frequently used items on hand, and whatever else helps get you through the day, like a coffee maker or puzzle book for when you need a momentary break.

Reorganize your old stuff! Try out new configurations and layouts. This will keep you more interested when you're sitting at a desk that you have to stare at for hours and hours every day. If you want, you can even change up the layout every couple of months so that you never get bored with the way things are arranged. And, of course, always look for more efficient ways of positioning your most commonly used items.

Reserve the top drawers for items you use most frequently, with less important items in the lower drawers. Use a drawer organizer to keep everything neat and separate. Get rid of anything you don't need so that you'll always be able to readily find what you do.

Buy a storage tote, these are helpful for storing clutter, and you can usually stack them up against a wall, in a closet, or even under your bed.

Try to declutter and put things in desktop organizers.

Get a filing cabinet, a small set of shelves, or plastic storage bins that you can place near the desk and use for storing papers, books, desk supplies, etc.

You could use a smaller desk, and end table, or a filing cabinet to make the L shape. Keep it simple and small, you don't want to overcrowd your space.

You don't need plants to make it personal. Place sentimental things, like a stuffy your sibling gave you or trophies you might have.

You can keep whatever you want on your desk, as long as there is space and you're sure it won't distract you from your work.

No, but sufficient light to study is necessary. If the lighting in your room is not great, then you should consider purchasing a study lamp.

Have containers on hand. Keep your supplies in them.