My mother always says that the state of your environment might be a direct reflection of the state of your mind. My environment was terrible until the last couple of years (haha).
There’s something oddly satisfying about a clean, clutter-free desk. Yet, mine looked more like a storage unit than a workspace for the longest time.
Random papers, pens that didn’t work, old receipts, and half-used notebooks claimed every inch of space. Don’t even get me started about all the mugs that sat around the base of my monitor!
I told myself it was “organized chaos,” but it was just chaos. One day, overwhelmed by the mess, I decided to declutter my home office desk, completely changing my productivity and mindset.
I’ve never been so focused and efficient at my desk until I decluttered and optimized my space, utilizing ideas from minimalism.
I just want to share my experience decluttering my home office desk so that I can help you feel better about working from home and pursuing your goals.
Here’s how I transformed my desk into a functional, calming workspace:
1. Start Fresh: Clear Everything Off
The first thing I did was clear everything off my desk. I mean every single item, and then I cleaned the surface. I wanted that new desk appearance because all the dust and stains were not doing me any favors.
I also grabbed a box and put all the items in it. A clean canvas was needed before I could start painting.
Seeing the empty surface gave me a sense of clarity and motivation to create a space that served me, not stressed me out
2. Sort And Categorize
Once my desk was clear and clean, I turned to the box and started sorting:
Keep: Essential items I use daily or frequently, like my laptop, notebook, pens, and charger. I also invested in a desk organizer to store most of my essentials in one designated spot.
Toss: Get rid of things you’re not using. Broken or unnecessary items, like dried-up markers and outdated notes, need to go. If you’re a collector of pens like I am, unfortunately, you might need to donate or let go of them.
Relocate: Things that didn’t belong on the desk, like coffee mugs, old magazines, and random household items. Get a trolley or storage shelf near your desk for accessories and decorative items as well.
This step was therapeutic—there’s nothing like tossing out what no longer serves you.
3. Assess What Truly Belongs On Your Desk
I realized that my desk didn’t need to be a catch-all for everything work-related. It just needed to hold the essentials. For me, that meant:
- A laptop and docking station
- A single notebook
- Two pens and a highlighter (because, honestly, I don’t need 20)
- A small desk lamp
- A water bottle
Anything else was either put away in a drawer or stored elsewhere.
4. Designate Storage Zones
To avoid future clutter, I created zones for specific items, and they are as follows:
Desk Organizer: I added a small organizer to keep things like paperclips, sticky notes, and extra pens in them. Someone gifted it to me for my birthday this year, and I swear it has been a beautiful addition to my desk.
File Organizer for Papers: I invested in a vertical file organizer for my desk to manage important documents and mail. I work with a lot of documents and I needed something to store my notebooks and printed documents.
Hidden Tech Storage: Cables and chargers went into a small box, stored neatly in a drawer. I also grouped and tied cables together so it appeared more organized.
Since making these changes, I haven’t dealt with clutter, nor is it a hassle to clean my desk regularly. Believe me, if you live in a dusty area like I do, you need a decluttered desk!
5. Add A Personal Touch
To make my desk feel welcoming, I added a small plant and a framed photo. I also like a warm white light when I work, so I invested in a simple and elegant desk lamp. It’s nonobtrusive, and the light is muted by the material around it.
These little touches made the space feel personal without adding clutter.
I know that a small plant is mostly decorative, but functionality should not come at the cost of personal joy and expression.
Afford yourself at least 1 decorative item on your desk and do not categorize it within your list of clutter.
6. Adopt A “One-Minute Rule”
After decluttering, I committed to the “one-minute rule”: if something takes less than a minute to put away, I do it immediately. This habit has been a game-changer in keeping my desk clean.
Do I want to procrastinate on cleaning? Absolutely. But do I let myself procrastinate? Nope. Why? Because I don’t set outlandish expectations.
I know that I’m not going to maintain a rigid and elaborate cleaning schedule, but I will be able to clean for a minute.
What I’ve found is that the one-minute rule helps to maintain a clean and decluttered environment.
The beautiful effect of a habit like this is that I no longer dread sitting down to work. Instead, the clean surface invites focus and creativity. Plus, having a decluttered desk has had a ripple effect—I’m now more mindful of keeping the rest of my home office tidy.
If your desk feels overwhelming, I highly recommend starting fresh and simplifying.
Remember: Your workspace should work for you, not against you.
What’s the state of your desk right now? If it’s anything like mine used to be, I challenge you to try these steps and experience the difference a clean desk can make!
Related posts:
5 Ways minimalism has changed my life