Keep Your Desk Together

A more productive year is right at your fingertips.

By Maddy Hill

If the end of 2015 left you sapped of motivation and in search of some semblance of reorganization, take this time at the start of the new year to adhere to these simple tips and acquire a few new streamlined office products.

Five Must-have Office Products

1. A large, simple calendar: Keep a chic calendar at eye level in your workspace. Be sure to pick one that has squares large enough to write due dates on and cross off tasks when completed.
Basic 12-month wall calendar, $32, etsy.com/shop/dozi.

2. Cord clips: You’ve done it before: disconnected your laptop from its charger only to see the cord slither away as quickly as a snake behind your desk and the wall space. Retrieving cords can make you feel as though you’re at an archaeological dig site instead of the office. Investing in a few small stick-to-the-table cable clips will put those pesky chargers and cords in their place.
CableDrop Cord Clips (six), $9.99, available at The Container Store, 9629 Research Blvd., 512.349.0555, containerstore.com.

3. A wastebasket: If you don’t have one at your desk already, you should. There’s no need to waste time walking to a trash can in another room. Invest in an open-top trash can so you can easily toss away extra papers.
Rissla wastepaper basket, $9.99, available at Ikea, 1 Ikea Way, Round Rock, 512.828.4532, ikea.com.

4. Wall file holders: Label the folders “To do,” “In Progress” and “Finished.” This paper-organization method allows you to take a break from your work without inevitably forgetting later where you left off.
Marche Wall Pocket, $21.99, available at The Container Store, 9629 Research Blvd., 512.349.0555, containerstore.com.

5. A slim desk: Stay away from big, bulky desks and opt for something slender that has storage under the top of the desk and a few drawers for easy filing. This will help keep your workspace from feeling weighed down and cramped.
Lauren desk, $2,180, available at The Khazana Home Furnishings, 900 N. Lamar Blvd., 512.320.9905, thekhazana.net.

FIVE MUST-USE TIPS

Keep your desk in a naturally lit space. Fluorescent light can bring on headaches and yellow light can cause you to feel sleepy. If you absolutely must use a lamp, make sure it doesn’t cast light directly onto your workspace.

Don’t get too personal. Limit the number of personal items on your desk to minimize distractions. Yes, that includes your cellphone.

Incorporate white space. By keeping the area near your dominant hand clear, you’ll be more able to quickly sign papers, jot down notes or cross off items from your to-do list. Always work from left to right.

Choose light colors and neutrals. You don’t want to overdo the colors in your workspace. As often as possible, opt for light colors to create an open space and only use pops of color where they seem fitting.

Place a small plant on your desk. A desktop screensaver of the Grand Canyon is as close as some of us will get to nature during a hectic 9-to-5 workweek. Having a tiny flower arrangement from Whole Foods or a succulent from East Austin Succulents on your desk is a guaranteed happiness and productivity booster.

As is true in following through with most New Year’s resolutions, organizing your desk might take some serious overhaul and revision of your usual work environment and process. Make the transition easier by adopting one tip or product at a time, and you’ll catch the envious eye of your coworkers in no time.