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By nature, I am an extremely disorganized person. Left to my own devices, I’ll allow junk mail, dead batteries, pens, books, and protein bar wrappers to pile up until, by the time I finally notice the problem, my desk is barely visible beneath a mountain of miscellaneous stuff. Luckily, 30 years of living with myself has taught me some tools for handling my chaotic habits. The first step: picking up a good desk organizer.
I have a tiny workspace, so I look for small organizers that maximize my limited surface area with plenty of drawers and pockets for all of my loose supplies. I need space for pens, post-its, notebooks, and paperclips, as well as, crucially, a drawer or section for all those little odds and ends I’m never quite sure what to do with (where should I put this Gorilla glue?)
What Are the Best Desk Organizers?
The best desk organizers (also known as “caddies”) help give all of your stationery and accessories a neatly organized place on your desk – or in your desk drawer. My desk is not your desk, so measure your space and think about the supplies you generally need on hand when considering the dimensions you want. Here are some things to think about.
Size: A larger organizer might be around 13 by 13 inches in dimension — think small MacBook Pro — and offers the advantage of increased space and additional compartments. If you’re working with more limited surface area like me, look for something in the 8 x 5 range — the size of a standard picture frame.
Shape:What are you storing? Do you need space for papers and folders or do you only need contained spaces for pushpins and extra staples? If you don’t need a rack for manila envelopes, don’t buy one.
Appearance:Practical black mesh is standard for a reason. It’s simple, lightweight, and won’t be an eyesore on your desk. It’s lightweight enough to be moved around easily too.
