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We’ve updated this article to include our ultra-portable document scanner pick, the Brother DS-940DW.
I’ve spent years scouring the internet to find inspiring workspaces and home offices—both as a hobby and as part of my job writing about home-office topics for Wirecutter and, previously, Lifehacker. I’ve lurked for hours on sites like Apartment Therapy and the r/battlestations subreddit. And I’ve searched through Flickr members’ desk photos, geeking out on any setup that had a vibe—whether it was a minimalist workspace, a traditional one, or something completely over-the-top tech-wise (like this DIY desk with a computer built into it).
In the two decades that I’ve been working remotely—writing about productivity and remote work—my own home office has constantly evolved as I’ve pursued that “just right” workspace dream. I’ll probably never stop revamping my desk, but I’m finally happy with its current layout because it supports my workflow (for now) and keeps clutter to a minimum.
Here’s what I use to keep an organized workspace. These are not all Wirecutter picks, but they are the items I need to maintain order at my desk.
This glass clipboard is perfect for jotting down notes throughout the day, and since the surface is erasable, you can start fresh again every day.
A lot of my daily notes include things such as what my family wants to order for takeout or a reference number for a phone call I need to make. Instead of wasting paper, I use the Quartet Glass Desktop Dry-Erase Easel for these impermanent bits of info. I like that I can stand it up to use as a clipboard, but most of the time, the whiteboard lies flat on the right side of my desk. It’s almost cathartic to purge random notes and have a clean slate at the end of the day.
These strong fasteners wrap around themselves to tightly bundle multiple items. At about 10¢ per piece, they offer a simple, inexpensive solution to an all-too common problem.
These cost a bit more—but they come in six different colors for additional organizing options.
Messy cables and an abundance of computer accessories are a distracting eyesore. The easiest way to keep cables under control is to gather them together using ties or straps. I use the hook-and-loop kind—specifically, the thin Velcro One-Wrap Cable Ties—because, unlike zip ties, they’re adjustable and reusable, which makes adding or removing cables easy. I also use these ties to shorten a cord that’s too long: I simply wrap the cable in a couple of loops and then tie (this works for managing cables when I’m on the go, too).
When paired with a stick-on hook, this grab-and-go organizer can help to keep clutter off your desktop and your most-used items close at hand.
My desk sadly lacks drawers, so for other odds and ends (including computer accessories that don’t absolutely need to be on my desk), I use wall space. I’m a big fan of the medium Cocoon Grid-It Organizer for holding and organizing items in my purse, backpack, or travel case. But I love this organizer best when it’s hanging by my desk on a strong, stick-on hook. It keeps small items—such as a USB flash drive, hand moisturizer, and a microfiber cloth—within reach but doesn’t take up desk real estate. Bonus: The organizer is easy to take along—I can just grab and go.
Binder clips provide a cheap and convenient way to keep your laptop (or any other) cable from getting lost behind your desk.
Cables can be unruly, even when they’re not in use: When I would unplug my laptop to go work somewhere else, for example, the power cord and the other cables would sometimes fall off the desk. To the rescue: the humble, ever-versatile binder clip. I have the binder clip attached to the edge of my desk at the back, with the power cord and cable for my USB hub running through the opening. It keeps those cables in place and off the floor when I’m not using my laptop at the desk.
This attractive-looking desktop organizer includes a wireless phone-charging stand, which lets you eliminate a phone-charging cable on your desk.
One cable I don’t worry about is the one for my phone charger. Instead, I use a wireless charger that doubles as a phone stand and pen holder. The Veelink Bamboo Wireless Charger with Organizer is solidly built, and I especially like how it blends in perfectly with my Jarvis bamboo standing desk. A wireless charger is one of those things I didn’t realize I needed until I bought it, and this is one of the nicest-looking desk accessories I’ve come across.
You can fill this cross between a simple calendar and a beautiful journal with a range of inserts for any type of planning. It’s the most versatile planner we’ve found.
I am an ardent fan of the Traveler’s Notebook for planning tasks, journaling, and note-taking. It’s slim enough to have a permanent spot on my desk or to carry in my purse, and the leather cover feels luxurious. And this notebook is infinitely customizable because of the many refillable inserts that are available. I use the ruled insert for notes, the monthly insert for broad project planning, and the weekly insert for managing my to-dos and recording progress on habits I’m working on.
One day I hope to reach next-level journaling and planner artistry like other Traveler’s Notebook owners. But for now, this is probably the one thing on my desk, besides my phone, that I would grab if my house caught on fire.
Best for people who want a small, lightweight scanner that can do duplex scanning.
I used to have a full-size paper scanner that could handle multiple sheets at a time, but I gave it away after buying this mobile scanner. While that one is no longer available, my Wirecutter colleagues recommend the similarly sized Brother DS-940DW, which offers the bonus of duplex (double-sided) scanning. A small scanner is easy to use for my occasional scanning needs (reducing paper clutter), and it doesn’t take up much desk space because I’ve attached it to the underside of my desk with heavy-duty fasteners. I can detach the scanner when I need it—but surprisingly, scanning upside down works, too.
This compact shredder is best for occasionally shredding a few documents at a time.
A paper shredder is on my short list of must-haves for a home office, because so many papers may contain sensitive, personal information—everything from my phone number to my Social Security number. After testing eight shredders, I decided on the Amazon Basics 6-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder for my home office because of its budget-friendly price, high security, and compact design. It’s about the size of a typical small wastebasket, so it also fits nicely under my desk.
This sleek desk pad doubles as a desk-sized coaster and a mousepad.
Another utilitarian item I bought for my desk was the leather-like Wayber Dual-Sided Desk Pad. I previously thought that a desk pad (or mat) was unnecessary for most people—if you have a good-looking desk, why cover it? But after seeing one of my friend’s desks, I realized how functional and beautiful this cheap desk accessory was. It protects my desk from spills and lets me put down sweaty water glasses anywhere, so I no longer have to precisely place cups on a coaster. My mouse moves more smoothly on it. And, perhaps most important, the mat creates a pleasant visual that makes me at least feel more organized and tidy.
If you spend a lot of hours at your desk, it’s worth taking the time to reconsider your arrangement, to move things around, and to get the items that will keep you organized and feeling good all day long.
This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.
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