Research has shown that our physical environment has a huge impact on our emotions, cognition, and behaviors. People living in cluttered spaces are more likely to feel depressed and fatigued. 

Whether you work from home or at an office, your desk space matters more than you might think. A cluttered desk leads to cluttered thoughts!

How can you change your space to increase focus and creativity at work? Is your messy office making you feel stressed?  It’s time to de-clutter! 

Follow these simple tips to refresh your messy desk!

De-Cluttering Your Messy Desk

Office cleaning can feel like a massive undertaking, especially if you’ve let things collect for a long time. Don’t stress; take cleaning one step at a time. When it’s all said and done, you’ll feel much better!

Start Fresh

Before cleaning your desk, take out your trash and replace the trashcan liner. If you have spare cardboard boxes or plastic bins, place them nearby to toss in small items.

The first step is to clear everything off your desk and out of drawers. Yes, everything! Don’t worry about categorizing your items; just place them on the floor or a separate table.

Sometimes food trash can collect without us realizing it. These can make your space feel unsanitary and lead to unpleasant odors. As you’re clearing your space, toss any old food wrappers, containers, and banana peels into the garbage. 

Clean Your Screen

Clearing your desk means clearing your desktop, too! It’s easy for shortcuts, files, and links to collect and crowd our desktops. Looking at a disorganized computer screen can make you feel stressed when you need to find the right file. 

Instead of searching your screen every day, organize your shortcuts and frequently used files into folders that make sense to you.

Wipe it Down

The most satisfying part of the office cleaning process is wiping down your newly cleared surfaces! Use a dry rag or microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt from your desk. Open the drawers and dust or vacuum those, too. 

Give your computer screen a gentle dusting too! If you have a pressurized air can, blow out any dust and crumbs that may be hiding in your keyboard. Use a disinfecting wipe to sanitize your keyboard and mouse. 

If you have a glass desk surface, wipe it down with a glass cleaner or disinfectant wipes. For wood desks, use a rag and wood polish like Pledge. 

Sort Your Items

Now that your desk is looking clean and fresh, it’s time to sort your pile of items. Separate your stationery, writing utensils, and other office supplies.

Purely decorative items should go in their own pile. These will be the last things you’ll add back to your desk.

If you keep paperwork in your desk drawers, look through it and sort each page into appropriate file dividers. Organize your files alphabetically, chronologically, or in whatever order makes the most sense to you!

Toss, Store, Show

After categorizing your desk items, go through each category and play a game of “toss, store, or show.” 

If you never reach for an item, hate using it, or it’s broken, toss it. If you use for it rarely, or you may need to reference it later, store it. If you use it often and love having it nearby, show it.

Make sure your workspace has these essential items:

  • A garbage can and extra liners
  • File folders and hangers
  • Drawer organizers
  • Desktop organizers or risers
  • Cord wraps and ties

A good rule of thumb is to leave two-thirds of your desk empty. Display your favorite pens in a cute pencil cup and add plants or decorative items, but don’t overcrowd your space. 

Use drawer organizers to sort your less frequently used items. Upper drawers are a great place to store markers, notepads, staplers, scissors, and tape. You should use the lower drawers for large things like 3-hole punches and files. 

Make it Your Own

Americans spend a lot of time sitting at our desks. Why stick to the standard-issue pens and staplers? Invest in décor and desk organization pieces that suit your personality!

Consider the overall theme and design you’d like your desk space to have. How do you want to feel when you sit down at your desk: energized and inspired, or calm and collected? Shop for pieces that will fit cohesively into your office space. 

Some affordable ways to jazz up your space include

  • Changing your desktop background
  • Replacing your keyboard, mouse, and mousepad
  • Swapping boring pens for fun, colorful pens
  • Adding a desk calendar 
  • Lighting a small scented candle

Build the Habit

Dedicate five minutes to clear your messy office desk at the end of every workday. Ensure that all of your pens, papers, and other tools are in their correct places. Disinfect your mouse, keyboard, and desk surface at least once per week.

If you can make it a habit to declutter office supplies for a few minutes every day, you’ll find it much easier to stay organized! 

Clean Desk, Clear Mind

Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to look at your office space! One of the best ways to refresh your mind is to clear your messy desk. Remember these simple steps, and you’ll be back on your A-game in no time!

Does your office space need more than desk decluttering? Rescue My Time Cleaning Service is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about our awesome home and office cleaning services!