I didn't choose the desk organizer life, the desk organizer life chose me. Best believe that without a tray to tidy my papers and a pen holder to house my extensive highlighter collection, my mind and work schedule would be a mess *cue coffee cup spill.* As cringe as it sounds, a tidy space does equal a tidy mind... I've learned the hard way by having to blowdry java-soaked paper on low heat. Don't be like me and take note of these desk organization ideas.
I work from my lounge on a round table that doubles up as a dining space, so I have to be really creative when it comes to working out where to keep my pens and notepads. I'm all for investing in fancy organization products, but they need to be functional, too. Luckily, those options do exist.
How can we help?
I've (quite literally) done my homework by speaking to an organization expert and found only the best, highly-rated desk organizers online. These picks get credit and kudos for their ability to organize your office supplies neatly and aesthetically. Some even have famous backing behind them (hey, Marie Kondo!), and others are eco-friendly.
Btw, I've categorized this list (sorting my favorites into sections) so you can quickly jump to features that pique your interest. Acrylic buys that'll make a small desk look bigger, portable picks that can be carried around the house, and accessories that have built-in charging stations, are just a few of the 18 options I've compiled to suit every workspace.
18 desk organizers for a cleaner (and cuter) workspace
I've featured only the top-rated desk organizers in this guide. I also spoke with an expert over at everyone's favorite flat pack store, IKEA (opens in new tab), who recommended one type of desk organizer over all of the others — the humble desk drawer organizer.
"Put an insert in your desk drawer and sort your supplies once and for all," says Marissa Frayer, a writer for IKEA. She also adds that "a magnetic knife rack and containers create out-of-the-way homes for your phone charger and earbuds," which is ultra handy.
Let's get straight to our picks:
Desk organizers for drawers
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Material: Plastic
Size (in): 11.1 x 4.76 x 9.4 (as assembled)
Remember when Khloé Kardashian's pantry went viral thanks to The Home Edit's acrylic decor takeover? Well, now you can keep your desk clutter-free like a celebrity. This six-piece set has been seen on Netflix, too!
Material: FSC-certified recycled paperboard
Size (in): H2 x W13 x L15
The modular desk organizer setup from the Queen of tidy. If you need your in-drawer storage to be more accommodating to different items — like rulers, rubber bands, stamps, and tape — then these six styling opportunities are endless. Made from heavyweight post-consumer recycled paperboard, they're also eco-friendly too.
Made from: Plastic
Size (in): H3.5 x W6.8 x D6.8
Pretty in pink — or beige and baby blue, for that matter — this adorable design nails both function and form. Whether it's paper clips, staplers, or your one seriously Y2K gel pen collection, this has your back. It was featured in our Amazon desk organizers guide as reviewers seriously love it.
Desk organizer sets
Material: Metal
Size (in): H3.9 x W12.56 x D10.23
Bring the outdoors in with this value set I found on Amazon. The wire design (available in gold or rose gold) sort of reminds me of trellis mesh you'd associate with beautifully British gardens. So if you want the Bridgerton feel in your office, add this to your basket, along with some faux florals or foliage.
Material: Metal
Size: H24 x W14 x D0.8
Pegboards are pretty popular, period. But add a wall mirror into the mix and you've got a small-space organizer that works even harder. This one comes in either black or white and has two accessory trays and a hanging hook.
Material: BPA-free plastic
Size (in): H8.03 x W3.6 x D7.8
Clear your desk from clutter with these slightly translucent containers. The great thing about the accessories is that you can display them vertically or horizontally. Plus, they're stackable. On Amazon, over 9,200 customers have given these a 4.6-star rating.
Desk organizers for files
Made from: Metal
Size (in): H5.6 x W9.8 x D11.8
This design comes as a set of two stackable trays, replete with rounded metal to protect against scratching. Add to this the industrial allure, and you have one major style statement — not to mention, a great place to store your papers, documents, and even magazines. Personally, I'm obsessed with the rose-gold color. It's a surefire way to elevate an otherwise boring set-up. Plus, rust and corrosion are nothing to worry about thanks to its premium metal construction.
Material: Rust-resistant iron
Size (in): H12 x W13 x D9
Cheaper than hiring a personal assistant, this desk organizer will sort all your files for you, fast. What I (and 700 Amazon customers) like about this is that it has drawers and vertical slots to keep your papers tidy, uncrumpled, and dog-ear-free.
Material: Metal
Size (in): H14.37 x W9.84 x D6.69
Forget ugly magazine racks! If you want to show off your paperbacks and glossies, do it in style with this brass-colored beauty. I love the soft arches and the width of the slots that allow for big textbooks and lengthy documents.
Wooden desk organizers
Material: Engineered wood
Size (in): H15.5 x W15.8 x D6.8
Idk who Jerry & Maggie are, but they seem the type who have got their shiz together! Nearly 10,500 people on Amazon have given this a 4.3/5 rating, complimenting how easy it is to assemble.
Material: Wood
Size (in): H6 x W13.5 x D11.4
Want your desk organizer to look as though it's part of the furniture? This white 12-compartment pick is great at camouflaging into a neutral scheme. The modern traditional design mimics a drawer and the different-sized slots are great for scissors, sticky notes, and even a small notebook.
Material: Bamboo
Size (in): H5.7 x W6.8 x D17.5
Not only is this desk organizer sustainable, but I think it's also a smart investment. It has all sorts of compartments you can use, and it can be configured to sit in a corner as it's adjustable. Great for small or large desks, it'll ensure everything you need is close by and looks tidy.
Desk organizer shelves
Material: Fiberboard and iron
Size (in): H12 x W21 x D7
Go for gold and achieve your goals like a boss with these super chic desk shelves from Pottery Barn Teen. Though it's technically a teenage desk idea — I think these look quite sophisticated...plus they've got two in-built USB charging points for your phone and other electricals
Material: Acrylic
Size (in): H9.25 x W17.01 x L5.35
If you live at your desk, you need a monitor stand to help prevent neck probs. It's designed to put your desktop at eye level, but it will also boost space if you're working with a tiny desk. Underneath the monitor, you can keep your notepad or keyboard and mouse. The translucent Amazon desk organizer design also means your desk will look anything but cluttered. Might as while get yourself an Amazon office chair while you're there, too.
Material: ABS and benzene
Size (in): H8.6 x W6.8 x D10.2
If you like to keep your storage under wraps, consider this slide-out system. This self-adhesive storage solution tucks tidily under your desk shelf and can take up to 24 lbs of weight. This way, you can store more on a smaller desk shelf, and you can separate your stuff with total ease.
Desk organizers for pens
Material: Steel
Size (in): H4 x W9.25 x D4.25
With eight compartments and one pull-out drawer, this five-star-rated stationery castle has enough real estate to house all of your office must-haves. It's made from solid steel, requires no construction, and has rubber feet so it won't go flying off your desk.
Material: Acrylic
Size (in): H7.26 x W7.98 x D7.98
A lazy Susan but for office products? Sign me up. This sleek acrylic suite of desk accessories adds a minimal footprint to your space. Plus, this is the "in" thing on TikTok when it comes to desk organization — they're all over my FYP. But let's not ignore the best part of this organizer: it spins for easy access to all your fave supplies. There's no better way to keep your mail, paper, and pens clutter-free.
Material: Plastic, LED
Size (in): H10 x W7 x D6
Dorms are notorious for having poor lighting and not enough charge points — so this desk organizer is a real multitasker. It's portable, lightweight, and cordless so you can move it around your space without being confined to a corner. No reorganizing your dorm room layout to get your work done now.
FAQs
What should I put in a desk organizer?
A desk organizer is a great way to declutter your desk and give a home to pens, paper, and other stationery pieces that usually are scattered around your workspace. Its purpose is to keep your most-used supplies close by. Items you use less frequently can be put into a drawer, cabinet, or shelf. Browse our home office storage ideas if you need some inspiration.
How we chose these desk organizers
Hey, I'm Christina, an ecommerce editor at Real Homes. Though I spend most of my day on a computer tapping away on my laptop, I fully endorse the use of a desk organizer. In this guide, I've made selections based on desk research of Amazon reviews, as well as considering style and functionality. Because, I think if it looks good and does the job, you'll be more likely to get some use out of it. So there's no excuse to scramble around the house for a pen or bit of paper when you need to take down some important information while on the phone.
Where to shop for a desk organizer?
Not (yet) found what you're after? You can find the perfect desk organizers to nail the home office idea you have in mind by visiting some of these top shops.
- Amazon desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Bed Bath & Beyond desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Etsy desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Lowe's desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Office Depot desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Overstock desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Staples desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Target desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- The Container Store desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Walmart desk organizers (opens in new tab)
- Wayfair desk organizers (opens in new tab)
Up next: 13 small home office ideas to make the most of your tiny work space
