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May 07, 2023

15 Best Desk Organizers in 2023

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Papers, sticky notes, empty coffee mugs, and so on…even the most organized folks can end up with desk clutter. It can be tough to keep your desk space under control without the proper organizational tools. A desk organizer can help you maintain a tidy workspace, which might even help you improve your focus and boost your overall productivity.

We put together our top picks for the best desk organizers based on research, reviews, and advice from organizational pros. We also made sure to include various desk organizer types, including drawer and wall organizers, to suit different needs, styles, and personalities. After all, according to the experts we consulted, organizing and styling a workspace is highly personal.

Mary Hadley, a speech-language pathologist specializing in executive functioning and social communication, explains that when approaching desk organization with clients, her top priority is finding what works best for them. "There isn't a one size fits all organization system," she says. There's no ideal accessory either, says Alexis Peters, a strategic interior design advisor at Real Estate Bees and KonMari consultant specializing in home staging, design, and organization.

This round desktop organizer from Threshold is the perfect spot to store small desk accessories like paper clips, pens, and push pins. The clear acrylic organizer features four compartments and fits right into a glam office setup with its gold handle.

Peters tends to avoid clear acrylic organizers because they can contribute to visual stress, but she's keenly aware that for some, it's a trademark part of their style. So if see-through, glass-like accessories are your vibe, go for it.

The Brightroom organizer is a multi-section accessory with a durable steel mesh construction. The multipurpose organizer has space for your pens, pencils, and sticky notes, and has a back compartment to hold mail or stationery.

Determining how you plan to use the space can help you select tools to organize it, says Hadley. If you're using it for laptop work or studying, a simple organizer like this one that can hold the basics might suffice.

Keep your desk accessories neatly tucked away in this 4-piece desktop storage set that includes a base tray, pencil cup, and two small bins — one with a divider. The modular design allows you to mix and match with other products from The Home Edit.

A modular system like this one offers plenty of flexibility, allowing you to maintain a cohesive look as you modify your deskspace over time. "Let's make it aesthetically stunning. Let's make it beautiful," says Peters, who recommends opting for matching organizers.

This MeCids 360-degree Lazy Susan-style organizer features eight pie-shaped bins along with a round pencil cup center bin. Each is removable and made with extra-durable, BPA-free, UV-resistant ABS plastic. Use it to store pens, pencils, scissors, and small accessories like rubber bands and paper clips.

Peters explains that what she often sees with clients is a tendency to stack items in piles. And that goes for organizers, too. She calls this "organized chaos." A rotating organizer like this one can help keep items within easy reach while avoiding a stack-pocalypse.

This Container Store modular bin is an excellent option for storing small desk accessories or craft supplies. Each flip-out bin has a label holder and an easy-grip handle. If you need more storage later on, you can purchase additional bins and join them together vertically or horizontally. The modular system is also wall mountable, making it ideal for small desk areas with adjacent wall space.

Hadley explains that having an organized desk isn't just about aesthetics. It establishes a healthy mental frame of mind that supports focus. And keeping your things neatly stored can save you from wasting time looking for what you need.

And even the most organized individuals can struggle with clutter without the right tools. Minimizing clutter can be especially challenging in a small space where it might be difficult to fit a traditional organizer.

This raised monitor stand from Homerays is a great pick for compact desks and cramped work areas. The bamboo stand has three storage compartments, including a pull-out drawer. Additionally, by raising your monitor several inches, it can put it at eye level and help reduce eye strain.

The Perch modular wall organizer includes wall-mountable magnetic plates with compatible containers, allowing you to configure the layout in a way that works for you. The various containers are lightweight and made of rigid, recyclable ABS plastic.

Hadley likes this system because it's easy to modify and includes a whiteboard. She says the option to change things up is key because even if you find the perfect system, your needs and wants will likely shift over time.

A whiteboard can also help you info dump everything that's in your head — be it your creative thoughts or to-do list. Some people, including one of Hadley's former clients, work better when they can see their to-do list right in front of them.

Hadley recommends ensuring you have everything you need within easy reach when planning and organizing a workspace. Of course, if you require a lot of supplies for your work, that's easier said than done. Shelves, bins, containers, and wall organizers, can all help keep things easily accessible but out of your actual work area, she says.

A configurable pegboard like this one from IKEA is one way to keep clutter off your desk but keep essential tools and accessories nearby. Peters recommends displaying items you cherish rather than trying to hide them, which is also something you can do with this organizer.

One of the most common sources of desk clutter is paper. Keep your mail, notes, or magazines under control with the help of this timeless walnut wood paper tray from Threshold. If you need a sorting system, buy multiple trays and stack them on top of one another.

As a design pro, Peters, who particularly loves the richness of dark woods, understands that organizing and styling a desk is personal. "Everybody is different," she says. "I'm not going to sit there and go, 'You can't have anything on your desk." It's all about finding ways to prioritize and make space for the things that thrill you, she says.

This multi-level Mind Reader paper tray organizer features five sliding trays for storing and sorting mail, bills, notes, and other important documents. The organizer has a sturdy metal frame that's easy to wipe down when the time comes to dust. And rubber feet keep the unit from slipping and sliding around your desk.

Hadley points out that organizing your desk isn't a one-time event. It requires an ongoing commitment to decluttering, whether you opt for drawer organizers or a paper tray like this one.

When figuring out your optimal desk setup, Hadley suggests including something that makes you happy, whether it's a plant that reminds you of your love of nature or an accessory that offers a bright and cheery pop of color, like this Poppin letter tray.

This sleek, modern tray is available in a rainbow of colors, including sage, sky blue, blush pink, and slate blue. The trays are stackable — up to four trays tall — and match with other Poppin brand accessories. They feature a smooth, lacquer-like finish and a durable ABS plastic construction.

And while Hadley emphasizes the importance of considering the practicality of organizing accessories, she notes that figuring out how you want to feel in a space is also crucial. Ultimately, having a pleasant workspace that fits your needs won't just help you complete tasks. It can also help with your mood, minimizing anxiety, says Hadley.

For Peters, knowing your personal style is the main ingredient for organizing any space, desk area included. To figure out what that might be, she recommends thinking about your favorite spaces like hotel rooms and lobbies, restaurants, or other special places that inspire you.

If you're a fan of Scandinavian design, this KVISSLE letter tray might be a fit for your space. The multi-level organizer features pull-out compartments for easy access and crisp white metal construction with a clean and simple overall look. Inside each drawer, a cork lining keeps paper from sliding about.

"I think our home is a reflection of our mind," says Peters. That's why your desk drawers deserve just as much attention as the topside of your desk. All clutter, including hidden clutter, can negatively impact your mental state, decreasing life satisfaction and even making you more likely to procrastinate.

These Mainstays drawer bins are a good choice for tackling disorganized chaos inside your desk on a budget. The set of seven basket-style bins costs less than $10 and includes one large, two long, two medium, and two small baskets. They're also ultra-lightweight and dishwasher-safe.

This 6-piece set is a companion to The Home Edit's desktop system and features the same tough acrylic plastic construction and modular design. The set includes two large, two medium, and two small bins with dividers. Each bin is about 4.6 inches deep.

Hadley explains that putting your ideal workspace configuration down on paper might help you organize more quickly and efficiently — whether you're organizing the top of your desk or the inside of your drawers.

Having a clear vision of your ideal feel-good, productive space can help you avoid and manage clutter. "Once this mental image takes hold, it will be easier to keep things out of the area that you don't want there," says Hadley.

Even drawers collect dust and grime, and the bins included in this Pen+Gear set are easy to wipe down with a warm soapy sponge. The set consists of one main tray along with two large, two long, and four square trays — and it's available in three pretty pastel colorways, including sage green, gray, and pearl blush.

As a KonMari consultant, Peters is acutely interested in whether items spark joy for clients. In her opinion, even something as mundane as a ruler can offer a happiness boost. "Have you ever seen a rose gold ruler compared to a wood one?" she asks.

The inside of your desk deserves a glow-up, too, whether that involves upgrading your scratched-up wood ruler with a rose gold version or your grimy boring drawer setup with pastel-hued organizers.

Here's what to keep in mind when choosing a desk organizer:

Ultimately, Hadley points out that a tidy, organized space filled with reminders of things you like can help boost your productivity and mood. And if you're still struggling to stay organized even after adding a new organizer to your setup, consider reaching out to a professional.

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