It's the beginning of the new year, and no doubt you have many plans in the works. But what about plans for your work-from-home space? Specifically, your cluttered home office desk?
Don't worry; you're not the only one who keeps forgetting to clean off their desk. So, today. why not take advantage of Clean Off Your Desk Day and finally have a clear workspace that actually inspires you?
Check out our top tips and tricks for a clean desk and start the year off right!
1. Where to Place Things
The most essential part of desk clean-up is creating a sense of balance and organization. Put your computer front and center, and place it so that you can still sit with your back up straight while facing it and stay comfortable. Don't forget to leave about 1.5 feet of space in front of you. And remember to keep computer cords behind the desk and organized by tying them together.
Be sure to keep the area immediately next to your computer clutter-free so you can use the space to review documents and such. As for the items you use daily, keep them grouped near your dominant hand so you don't have to reach across your body to find what you need.
2. Limit Clutter
No one wants to be surrounded by piles of paper and random knick-knacks when trying to get work done. Start by removing anything that doesn't need to be on your desk. Sure, you might like homey touches like those photos and plants or snacks for fuel, but they probably don't need to use up valuable desk space.
Instead, try removing all non-essential items from your desk at the beginning of the week and place them on the floor. As you work, only put back the items you use. By the end of the week, anything leftover on the floor is something you don't need on your desk — find a new home for it instead!
3. Save Space
If things are starting to look a bit too crowded, designate sections of your desk for different tasks. For example, allocate a portion of the desk specifically for getting things done — whatever sits there needs to be done immediately and cleared away. Instead, utilize your wall space and add a peg board or wall shelves to keep essential papers nearby but off your desk.
4. Remove Visual Clutter
It's no secret that clean workspaces inspire better work and that a cluttered space offers many distractions. So, get rid of any visual clutter like old notebooks or those books piled in the corner (that’s what bookshelves are for!). If you're the type to have a million sticky notes all over your monitor, take the time to clear them off — they're a distraction!
If you have a desk lamp, keep it out as far from your line of sight as possible, same with your photos. The idea is to keep your desk area clean enough so your eyes can focus on the task at hand!
5. Utilize Drawers
Part of keeping your desktop clean is ensuring you are also utilizing all available storage space — including your desk drawers. Anything you don't need or use daily, like extra supplies, tools, or current-but-not-immediate projects, should be tucked away neatly in designated drawers and neatly organized.
Pro Tip: If your desk doesn't have drawers, take the opportunity to upgrade to a desk with drawers or get a couple of file cabinets! Look for ones with matching styles for added flair!
6. Clean Your Virtual Desktop
Your clean desk routine doesn't end in the physical world; you must also consider your digital space. It's time to clean up those cluttered desktop folders and organize your documents into subfolders by project or task. And while you're at it, why not add a nice wallpaper image for extra motivation?
Don't forget to pin the apps you use the most to your taskbar (or drag them to the Dock) so that you can have a clear virtual desktop space!
7. Regular Cleaning
Lastly, the best way to keep a clean desk is simple — regularly cleaning! Sure, it's one other thing to clean, but having a clean space will help your efficiency. To do that, follow our cleaning guide.
- Clean everything off your desktop and remove items from drawers.
- Wipe surfaces with disinfectant wipes (make sure they're safe to use on your desk surface, especially if it's made of wood!).
- Throw away old and unnecessary items, like non-essential files, old sticky notes, tissues, food wrappers, etc.
- Power down your computer and clear loose crumbs and dust from the computer and keyboard with a soft cloth.
- If you have a separate keyboard, gently shake the keyboard upside down over a trash can.
- Use compressed air to spray hard-to-reach crumbs and dust from crevices.
- Wipe everything down with electronics-safe disinfectant wipes.
- Organize your desk to your liking using our tips and tricks!
Off to Work, We Go!
Now that you know all the tips and tricks for a clean desk, it's time to get cleaning! But if no amount of cleaning can make up for a dingy, beat-up desk that wobbles every time you press a key, don't force yourself. Give your work-from-home office the upgrade you crave at Urners! We have several desk types and home office essentials to choose from!
Have any questions? Contact our team today!