Don’t know how to organize a desk without drawers?
I hear you, I had the same struggle when I got a standing desk.
Now, you might be thinking: How can I organize a desk without drawers? Where can I store ALL of my stuff? How can I make my work desk tidy and clutter-free?
Organizing a desk without drawers may seem daunting, but it’s NOT impossible.
Since I faced the same issue, I did the research and found 15 simple solutions to help you organize a desk without drawers. I’ve already tried a few of them, and I’m happy to report that they work perfectly!
Don’t worry, you don’t have to implement all of them. Choose a few methods that work for you so you can keep your desk organized, minimize distractions, and focus on having a productive workday.
Keep reading to discover how to organize a desk without drawers in 15 easy steps.
Related: How To Organize Your Life In One Week (Tried & Tested!)
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Table of Contents
How To Organize A Desk Without Drawers In 15 Easy Steps
1. Use a monitor stand
Monitors can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a small desk. One easy way to increase desk space is to put your computer on a monitor stand or riser.
My favorite monitor stands are the ones that come with storage.
If you work with multiple electronic devices, you’re going to love the sleek Klearlook Foldable Computer Monitor Riser. This all-white monitor riser is equipped with a hidden built-in tablet/phone holder and a storage drawer for your office essentials.
If you’re looking for more storage, I highly recommend the Simple Houseware Desk Monitor Stand Riser.
This riser offers a shelf to place your keyboard and mouse and side caddies to store stationery like pens, Post-It notes, a stapler, scissors, etc. Plus, there’s a slot to hold your smartphone or tablet. It also comes in 7 neutral colors that will complement most home offices.
2. Use a monitor arm
Got more than one monitor? Choose a monitor arm for your setup instead.
Monitor arms will free up precious desk space that your monitors take.
More importantly, a monitor arm is more flexible. You can easily adjust the height, angle, and tilt of your monitor to the most comfortable position.
This will help your ergonomic posture in the long run and reduce back and neck pain.
The VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount is great if you have two monitors. It is space-saving, sturdy, and sleek. Additionally, it’s easy to install and comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.
3. Get a laptop stand
If you only have a laptop, consider getting a laptop stand. Like a monitor arm, a laptop stand will clear desk space and give you more comfort as you work.
The BESIGN LS03 Aluminum Laptop Stand is compatible with all 10″- 15.6″ laptops like the MacBook Air 13, MacBook Air Pro 13 & 15, Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell, HP, ASUS, and Chromebook.
Made of premium aluminum alloy, this stand supports up to 8.8 lbs (4kg) and has sticky rubber on the holder’s hands to ensure full stability.
Plus, the open aluminum design allows airflow to prevent your laptop from overheating.
The best part? This laptop stand is easily assembled with just three steps and it folds flat if you need to store it. No wonder it is the best-selling laptop stand on Amazon!
4. Purchase a Vertical Charging Station
Are your phones, tablets, and AirPods scattered all over your desk?
Keep your electronic devices organized by using a vertical charging station like the Prosumer’s Choice Natural Bamboo Charging Station Rack.
Made of 100% natural bamboo, this multi-device organizer houses up to five smartphones or tablets and comes with removable divider slots.
In addition, it comes with cable management slots to keep power strips and surge protectors out of sight.
Furthermore, its anti-slip rubber legs ensure it is securely fixed on your desk. With a low-profile design and six color options to choose from, this bamboo piece fits easily on any desk.
5. Get a desk organizer
Looking for a fuss-free desk organizer to store all of your work essentials? The DALTACK 4-Tier Mesh Desk Organizer has my heart.
This organizer has:
- 1 sliding drawer for Post-It notes, staples, paper clips, etc.
- 1 business card holder/phone stand
- 2 pen holders for stationery e.g. pens, markers, scissors, stapler, etc.
- 4 paper trays for A4 paper, files, mail, etc.
Made with an industrial-strength steel frame and wire mesh, this desk organizer is sturdy and durable.
I must admit it’s not the prettiest option in the market, but it does come in white, which looks nice on most desks.
Related: How To Organize A Small Kitchen Without A Pantry Effectively
6. Try a Side of the Desk Organizer
If you require a lot of desk space for planning or drawing, then a side of the desk organizer is perfect so you can keep your desk bare.
That’s where the Luketure Side Hanging Desk Organizer comes in.
It may not fit a lot compared to a traditional desk organizer, but it’s sufficient to store a laptop, tablet, documents, and notebooks.
It also has a matching magnetic pen holder for stationery and remote controls.
Made from rust-resistant stainless steel, this organizer is super easy to install (no drilling required!).
Curious about the holes on the organizer? It’s a safety feature that prevents dust and heat from accumulating. Now, that’s what I call smart design!
7. Install under-desk drawers
If you have a wide desk and a side desk organizer is out of reach, try installing under-desk drawers instead.
I love the TooCust 2 Pack Under Desk Slide Out Drawers because they come in two different sizes – medium and large.
They may not be large enough to fit A4 papers or files, but they can accommodate smaller things like stationery, small notebooks, and small electronic devices.
These sturdy drawers can be installed on smooth panels using strong self-adhesive tapes. Just remember to wait for 24 hours before using them.
8. Conceal Cables With an Under Desk Management System
Chances are, your desk is overrun by a million cables. Been there, done that!
After I got my standing desk, I started using an under-desk cable management system, and voila! No more messy cables in sight and finally a clean and tidy desk!
My cable management tray is very similar to the PAMO Under Desk Cable Management.
According to one reviewer, this product helped him to organize a 12 port power strip and all of the cables e.g. printer, PC, audio, monitor, etc. The reusable cable ties are super helpful for organizing long cords too.
9. Use a Peg Board
Is your desk facing a blank wall? If you answered yes, it’s a sign for you to get a pegboard.
A pegboard is a great way to organize a desk with no drawers because you can literally hang your things on a wall and see everything you own.
I love pegboards because they are so versatile and can be easily customized to suit any setup.
The VUSIGN Pegboard Combination Wall Organizer Kit contains 4 pegboards and 17 pegboard accessories including a letter holder, shelves, containers, hooks, and clips.
With this, you can get creative and configure a setup that works for your needs.
10. Take Advantage of Vertical Wall Space
If you live in a rental and are not allowed to stick or drill anything into your walls, don’t worry, I’ve got another solution for you.
You can still take advantage of vertical wall space by using an adjustable wood display shelf like this Jean & Maggie desktop organizer.
This shelf comes in two separate parts and can be arranged in two ways:
- Close together to create a small shelf rack or
- Arranged further apart to create a longer shelf
Either way, you’ll have loads of room to stack and organize office supplies, books, and even decorative items.
Related: How To Organize A Hall Closet Like A Pro
11. Use a Rolling Cart
I am a huge fan of rolling carts because they are so multifunctional and can be used anywhere in a home.
The rolling cart is especially handy in a home office since it allows you to keep your work desk free from clutter. A perfect storage solution for a desk with no drawers!
The Amazon Basics 3-Tier Rolling Utility Cart is a bestseller for good reason! It includes 3 horizontally stacked recessed bins, where you can store all of your office essentials inside.
Plus, this version is slim enough to tuck away beneath the desk when it’s not in use.
Want a cart that can hold a printer? Try the VEDECASA 2-Tier Modern White Under Desk Printer Stand.
12. Use a Separate Storage Cabinet
Do you have a lot of stuff that won’t fit any of the organizers above? Try using a separate storage cabinet instead.
I recommend the CuHome 2-drawer Mobile Filing Cabinet with Lock and Casters because it has a stationery drawer and a file drawer.
Additionally, the surface is spacious enough to hold a pen tray and a small printer.
Despite its spacious storage, it is compact enough to fit under most desks. It also comes with 5 flexible casters so you can move it around easily.
Don’t like assembling furniture? P/S: This comes fully assembled!
13. Place a Trash Can Underneath Your Desk
This may sound like a no-brainer, but a trash can is a non-negotiable in a home office!
Place the trash can underneath your desk, so you have no excuses to get rid of paper clutter.
The Amazon Basics Round Cylindrical Soft-Close Small Trash Can is made from smudge-resistant stainless steel and comes with a removable heavy-duty plastic inner bucket.
I love how convenient the manual foot lever is, and how quiet it opens and closes.
If you prefer an open-top trash can, I adore the mDesign Small Metal Oval in brass. It’s beautiful and well-made.
14. Use A Desk Mat
I can’t live without my desk mat ever since I purchased mine last year.
A desk mat may not be an obvious organizational tool, but it is helpful for keeping your things in order.
A desk mat helps to divide your desk into two separate areas.
If you have a bunch of things scattered all over your desk, a desk mat can set aside a specific area that’s just for work. For example, I use my desk mat for my laptop, keyboard, and mouse.
The K KNODEL Desk Mat is durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. It comes in 14 colors and 3 sizes and is made from premium PU leather.
15. Utilize Digital Storage
Do you have a bunch of paperwork you don’t need to keep original copies of?
Get rid of your paper clutter by scanning important paperwork and keeping it in a cloud system like Google Drive.
When you’re done, you can shred or toss it away.
Related: How To Organize Your Under Kitchen Sink Storage Like A Pro
What Should You Keep On Your Desk?
Having a clutter-free desk is important as this eliminates distractions and increases productivity. These are the main items that everyone should keep on their desk:
- Computer
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Tablet (if it’s required for work)
- Phone
- Stationery
- Notebook
- Calendar
- Calculator
- Clock
Related: How To Organize A Fridge To Promote Healthy Eating
How To Keep Your Desk Organized At All Times
Here are four tips to keep your desk organized at all times:
1. Keep personal and unrelated items away from your workspace
It’s tempting to chuck everything on an empty desk, especially during busy days. But, this will only lead to more clutter, which is a no-no!
You don’t need to have your makeup, nail tools, and random bits and bobs on your desk.
If it doesn’t have anything to do with your work, it doesn’t belong on your work desk.
2. Tidy up after work daily
Take 5-10 minutes daily to tidy up after work.
Not only will this keep your desk organized, but this will also give you a fresh start for the next day.
Start by clearing your desk. Place stationery back where it belongs. Toss paper clutter away.
Empty the trash can. Take coffee mugs and water bottles to the kitchen for a rinse. Close your laptop.
3. Declutter once a week
You may not have time to declutter daily and that’s OK.
Make it a point to declutter at least once a week though. If you do this weekly, each session should take you about 15-20 minutes.
Go through your paperwork and see if there’s anything you can scan, file, or shred/toss.
Give your computer screen, keyboard, and mouse a good wipe-down. Clean your desk and arrange your essentials neatly.
4. Create an organizing system that works for you
Done with decluttering? Great! It’s time to start organizing.
The key to an effective organization system is to make sure each item on your desk has a place to call home.
For instance, pens and pencils go into a stationery caddy. Files go into a storage cabinet. Electronics go into a desk organizer.
Implementing this method means you’ll know exactly where to store things when you don’t need them anymore. And, you can find things quickly and easily when you need them.
Besides that, it is crucial to have a filing system that works for you.
Personally, I put a Post-It note on every document that I receive. If I don’t need it anymore by the end of the workday, I’ll throw it away.
If it’s important and can be digitized, I will scan it and save it on my Google Drive.
However, if I need the physical copy, I will file it. I keep a few binders that are labeled, and this helps me to sort and keep any important paperwork.
It sounds tedious, but it’s easy to execute once you stick to a system that works for you.
Conclusion
I hope these 15 tips will teach you a thing or two about how to organize a desk without drawers. Let me know which suggestions worked for you in the comments below. Happy organizing!
