Look around you right now. Is everything in order, or do you have a desperate need to declutter your workspace?
If you’re like me, the chaos on your desk is a constant reminder of all the things you haven’t gotten around to organising with piles and lists of things that need doing and fixing. Between running a business from home, keeping the kids entertained, and just, you know, life, it’s easy to let the workspace turn into a disaster zone. But we both know that a cluttered desk can zap your productivity, making everything feel more overwhelming.
So, how can we fix it without feeling totally defeated? Here are some easy-to-implement tips to declutter your workspace (with plenty of room for imperfection—trust me, I’m still working on it, too!). tackle them one at a time, and see how you get on.
1. Take a Snapshot of Your Space
Before you dive into decluttering, grab your phone and snap some pictures or even a quick video of your workspace. Why? Because seeing it in a photo helps you mentally organise what needs to be done. You’ll start noticing things you’ve become “blind” to—like that pile of old receipts you’ve been meaning to deal with for weeks.
After you’ve got the photos, find a quiet spot (yes, I know, quiet is rare!) and write down the items you see that can be decluttered. Separate them into categories: stuff that needs to go in the trash, things that should be recycled, and items that just need a better home.
One great thing about this, is that then you can take an after photo, and turn int into one of those clever Instagram stories where all the clutter disappears with a tap of your finger (if only it were that simple!)
2. Start Small: One Drawer at a Time
Looking at the whole desk can be overwhelming, so start with one small area like a drawer or a single shelf. Chances are, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been shoving random things into your desk drawers for months just to get them out of sight. But now is the time to tackle it! Go through each drawer and get rid of the junk.
Once you’ve decluttered, organise the rest with drawer inserts. These are lifesavers! With compartments of different sizes, you can neatly store your pens, paperclips, and other essentials.
3. Declutter Your Workplace Cables
Let’s talk about the bane of every home office: cables. If you’ve got a mess of wires from chargers, electronics, and power bars underfoot, it’s time for some serious cable management. First, unplug and recycle any electronics or cables you no longer need. Then, use cable clips or funnels to lift the remaining cables off the floor and hide them out of sight.
I have a drawer for my old unused cables – we call it the snake pit. If you need a cable for anyting it’s probably in there.
4. Create Storage Behind and Under Your Monitor
Is your computer monitor taking up valuable desk real estate? If it’s a thin monitor, you can attach small containers that clip onto the back to hold lightweight items like pens and highlighters. That way, they’re out of sight but still easy to grab when you need them.
Also, if your monitor is not at eye level, raise it up with a stand and use the space underneath for small storage. Pop a few organisers under there to hold things like sticky notes or notepads—small adjustments like these can make a huge difference!
5. Use Wall Space: Vertical Storage Solutions
If your desk is against a wall, use that vertical space! Install shelves or file slots on the wall for easy access to folders, papers, or notebooks. Label each file slot to stay organized—no more digging through piles of paper to find what you need.
6. Paper Clutter: Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Paper tends to breed on desks, right? Bills, notes, kids’ drawings—it all piles up. For the important stuff, create a filing system on your wall, but for everyday bills and receipts, consider going digital. Scan your bills and save them to a folder in your email. It not only declutters your desk but also keeps everything easily searchable and organised.
After scanning, don’t forget to shred the originals. A cross-cut shredder is your best bet—it’s more secure than a single-cut one, and you’ll be sure those account numbers aren’t readable.
7. Create a “Catch-All” Basket
For the days when decluttering feels impossible (hello, every day?), have a catch-all basket on hand. This is where you can quickly throw non-work-related items – like toys, snacks, or that random sock your toddler brought in – without letting it pile up on your desk. When you get a spare moment (or at the end of the week), go through it and put things back where they belong.
8. Get a Sturdy Chair—and Make It Work for You!
A comfortable, adjustable chair is essential, especially when you’re spending hours working at your desk. But did you know you can use your chair for storage, too? Find some sturdy canvas bags that can easily attach to the back. Use them to store things you don’t need all the time, like an iPad or magazines. It’s a sneaky way to keep things off your desk without losing access to them.
9. Declutter Your Computer Desktop
Digital clutter is real, too! If your computer desktop is covered in random files, take a few minutes to organise them into folders. Delete anything you don’t need, and back up important documents. It’s amazing how much more focused you’ll feel with a clean digital space.
10. End-of-Day Tidy Routine
This is one of the best tips I’ve come across: Spend five minutes at the end of each workday to tidy up your desk. Put papers back in their place, clear away any clutter, and get things organised for the next day. You’ll thank yourself in the morning when you sit down to a fresh, inviting workspace.
Declutter your Workplace? Seek Progress, Not Perfection!
Let’s be honest—your desk isn’t going to stay perfectly tidy all the time, and that’s OK. As mums running businesses from home, we’re juggling a lot. But by making small changes and creating systems to declutter your workplace regularly, we can stay (mostly) organised and create a workspace that helps us focus.
So, take it one step at a time, and don’t stress if things get a little messy—it just means you’re busy making things happen!
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