Under Desk Storage: Taking a Minimalist Approach
A messy workspace can feel stressful and overwhelming. You may even be less productive when working in an unorganized environment. However, you can help your work performance and mood by cleaning up your space using the tenets of minimalism.
When everything around you has its place, you'll be more focused on the big projects instead of looking for something lost in the chaos. While some people are blessed with big desks and offices, others have to utilize smaller working environments.
We are going to go over how you can take advantage of the space under your desk. You will find out why it's important to keep things tidy and the simple steps to achieving an organized workspace.
Benefits of an Organized Workspace
There are a lot of benefits to cleaning up that can give you a little extra motivation to get started on decluttering your workspace. Not only can a minimalist approach help you know where everything is, but it also can help you mentally.
Studies have shown that your brain craves order. When you are surrounded by clutter or disorganization, you can be exhausting your cognitive resources and lose the ability to stay focused. They also discovered that when people cleaned up their workspaces, they were able to process information faster and more accurately.
If you're struggling with productivity, decluttering may be just the thing for you.
Let's go over some of the benefits of cleaning up your work environment.
Lower Stress Levels
Depending on where you work, it could be a significant source of stress in your life. Finding strategies to lower your stress levels can be helpful, and improving your workspace is an easy one. You may be surprised to find out how much of a well-organized desk can reduce your stress.
Researchers found that clutter in the workplace and stress levels go hand in hand. They saw that clutter could cause emotional exhaustion leading to slower decision making. Being tired also led to people keeping important material within easy reach, leading to an even messier space.
Better Relationships
Your unorganized workspace could be impacting more than just yourself. It could also be affecting your relationships. One study found that participants with messy desks were perceived as less conscientious, more neurotic, and less pleasant.
Therefore, it's possible that your messy desk could have serious consequences. For example, maybe you could be passed over for a promotion because of your disorganized desk.
A Positivity Booster
When you clean, you're moving around and being productive. Organizing can clear your mind and get the creative juices flowing for your actual job. You may notice you're feeling more positive and happy after successfully cleaning up your space.
Creative Ways To Organize
Once you're ready to reap the benefits of an organized workspace, it's time to get to work!
As you begin to clean out your desk, here are a few things to consider:
Empty the Desk
To embrace minimalism, you have to part with some things. A good first step is to empty your entire desk. Take everything out of those draws and cabinets under your desk.
Once you have a big pile of everything you have, it will be easier to see what needs to go and what you want to keep. Throw anything away that has no real purpose. After you've tossed the clutter, it will be much easier to organize.
Go Paperless
If you're storing a ton of paper under your desk, consider going paperless. There are countless apps and services available to keep essential documents digitally.
You can save and share files quickly and efficiently with coworkers when you go paperless. It also makes it much easier to organize and find documents. Plus, you will be reducing paper waste.
If it's impossible to go completely paperless, divide it into categories. Next, use three-ring binders to separate and protect the paperwork. Taking these steps will make it much easier for you to locate what you need later.
Get Extra Storage
If you have very limited storage options under your desk, consider other options. You can get a small bookshelf or filing cabinet that can fit under your desk. This storage can help you declutter your workspace.
Get Divider Trays
If your desk drawers look like junk drawers, get divider trays to help you organize. These plastic dividers are cheap and easy to find. They can be a simple solution to keeping everything in its place.
Organizing the Top of Your Desk
You only want to keep what you need on the top of your desk. The simplicity will make it easy to focus when you're working. You should try to also hide the wires from your computer monitors, towers, mouse, and so forth. If your desk doesn't have an opening to put your cords through, you can use binder clips to hold them together.
You can also consider an innovative solution to keeping your desk clear. SkyFloat has the world's first adjustable magnetic ceiling mount made for your phone or tablet. The unique magnetic design enables it to attach securely to the ceiling with ease. It's ideal for everyday work activities like hands-free video calls.
Tips To Keeping Your Workspace Organized
Now that you know the basics to achieve a minimalist workspace, here are a few other things to keep in mind.
Keep Important Things in Reach
When organizing, think of the things you use the most often and keep them in reach. If you use a stapler, certain files, or other items daily, have them with arms reach. However, try not to get carried away with this since it can lead to clutter.
If it would be easier to have a floating screen, SkyFloat can make it easy and adjustable without having to install anything onto the wall.
Create a System
Create a system for your current projects by placing them in durable poly file folders. Label each folder and keep them upright in an incline sorter. This system will help avoid piles on your desk. It's also visually appealing, helping keep your mind clear.
Use an In/Out Tray
Invest in an in/out tray for mail or random papers until you can sort through them. This tray will help limit how much can accumulate. When the tray is getting full, it's time to make final decisions. This in/out system will encourage you to stay on top of your mail and keep a clean desk.
Avoid Distractions
Many different distractions can pop up throughout your workday. It can be hard to maintain a clean workspace between your phone ringing, people stopping by your office, and emails coming in.
Make it easy by avoiding distractions and keeping personal items at bay. Also, make sure the space under your desk doesn't go back to becoming a catch-all for things you want off your desk.
Tidy Up Daily
Once you achieve an organized office, try your best to keep it that way. Put all of your items back where they go before you finish up at the end of your workday. File new papers away, put your stapler back, and put binders back on the shelf. Next, use a disinfectant wipe to clean off your desk and keyboard to keep germs and dust at bay.
This entire cleaning process shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes. It will keep things from getting cluttered and messy, which could lead to a more time-consuming clean-up down the road.
Minimize to the Max
Now that you know these tips and tricks, it should be easier to keep your space clutter-free. Innovative minimalist options, like SkyFloat, are available to help you keep your space clear. You will be productive and feel organized, which can have a positive impact on your work life.
Sources:
The Case for Finally Cleaning Your Desk | Harvard Business Review
Does Work Stress Lead to Office Clutter, and How? | Journal Sage Pub
Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex | PubMed
