Whether you work from home full time or only on occasion, having a clean and organized desk is a proven way to boost your mood and productivity. When you make your own DIY desk organizers and accessories, you can also develop your creativity and express your unique personality with a desk that reflects your needs and style.
These DIY desk organizer projects focus on ways to reuse and repurpose common materials, so you can stay organized while doing good for your budget and the planet. Here are eight of the best DIY desk organizer projects.
DIY Desk Organizer Projects
DIY Desk Organizer Paper Sorter
Paper sorters are necessary but can also be expensive. Making this DIY desk organizer from cardboard is a fast and easy project and costs just pennies. To make a cardboard paper sorter, cut cardboard sheets 1 inch longer than a standard piece of paper.
Glue together three cardboard pieces per shelf for extra stability, laying books on the cardboard as it dries to keep it flat. Cut more pieces of cardboard to 8.5×2 inches, making 6 pieces per shelf. Glue the shorter pieces of cardboard together in groups of three to make support pieces.
When the glue has dried, glue the short pieces below the ends of the shelf pieces to build the paper sorter structure. Once the structure is complete, cover all the outer sides with 1-2 more cardboard layers for strength.
When it’s done, paint your paper sorter or cover it with decorative paper. Finish all the exposed edges with washi tape.
DIY Desk Organizing Pen Holder
One of the easiest and most eco-friendly ways to organize your pens, pencils, and office supplies is to reuse metal cans or glass jars. To give your pen holder extra style, consider covering it with decorative paper and a layer of Mod Podge, or use marble-patterned adhesive paper, or decorate with washi tape.
You can also use a wide range of paints, but make sure that your paint is suitable for either metal or glass. For a finishing touch, use Liquid Nails to arrange and attach your pen holder(s) to a decorative plate, tray, or board.
DIY Desk Wall Organizer from Clip Boards
A clipboard is a great way to keep a specific task-organized, but a collection of them can keep your entire home office organized. For this project, you will need several clipboards. Style your clipboards with decorative paint or paper, and consider using a color-coded system to keep specific tasks and projects organized.
You may also want to label your clipboards to help you keep track. After the clipboards are decorated, attach picture hangers to the back, and arrange the clipboards on the wall, making an organized display.
For more versatility, consider covering some of the clipboards with magnetic paint, dry erase paint, and/or cork sheets so you can also use your clipboards to pin or stick important notes, write reminders, and keep your whole life organized.
DIY Desk Organizing Trinket Dishes
Nothing makes a desk more disorganized than all the daily clutter that builds up. Desktop trinket dishes are a great place for paperclips, pushpins, rubber bands, and all those other small supplies you need.
You can repurpose small condiment dishes or make your own DIY trinket dishes from air-dry clay. Consider gluing a cute magnet into your trinket dish for extra style and to help hold on to paperclips and pushpins, reducing spills and mess.
DIY Desk Organizer Monitor Stand
A monitor stand can be critical for your health and comfort, but don’t be afraid to get creative and DIY your own. Of course, you can cut a plywood or acrylic sheet to your desired size, but you can also browse free sites or thrift stores for reclaimed drawer fronts or small doors.
Add some decorative feet, and you have a unique and creative monitor stand that is made for your style.
DIY Desk Organizing Lazy Susan
A lazy Susan is a great way to maximize space on a small desk because you can store many items and still easily access them. Making your own DIY desk organizing lazy Susan may be easier than you think if you have a saw and cut two wood circles.
A smaller circle will be the foot of your lazy Susan, while a larger circle will be the base you store items on. In between, simply attach a lazy Susan bearing. You can add containers and pen holders to the top or use wood or cardboard to create triangular partitions for more efficient use of space.
DIY Desk Organizing Mobile Device Stand
A desk is an excellent place for an organized charging station for phones and mobile devices. It keeps your phone close enough for communication but may reduce distractions and help keep you focused. To make a mobile device stand and charging station, you will need a standard-sized shoe box and some extra cardboard.
First, cut a long strip of cardboard about 3 inches high (or as high as you need to fit your plugs and adapters). Line the shoebox’s inner base with this long strip of cardboard, and glue it tightly in place. Repeat so that you have a double layer of cardboard surrounding the inside of the bottom of the shoe box.
Cut two sheets of cardboard the same size as the bottom of the box, glue them together, and place books on top to keep them flat as they dry. Then cut a hole in the back of the box that is large enough for a plug. Place a power strip in the bottom of the box and thread the cord out through the hole.
Place the false bottom inside the box, resting on the interior cardboard rim you created, covering the power strip. Determine how many devices you want to charge at once, and cut cardboard dividers the height of the shortened box. Place the dividers at the top of the box, creating a section for each device.
Cut a hole in the cardboard shelf layer to accept a charging cable (you may want to use cable clips to hold every cable in every compartment.
Decorate your charging station with paper, paint, fabric, tape, or whatever looks best for you. Consider labeling each compartment, so it’s easy to remember which plug connects to which device.
DIY Desk Organizer File Storage
No matter how “paperless” your office may be, it seems there are always essential documents that need to be organized and stored. From tax records to product warranties to receipts and reports, making a DIY desk file organizer is a great way to keep them safe and easy to find.
Old cereal boxes are ideal for storing files and documents since they are already square, easy to cut, and usually sized larger than a standard page
To make a file organizer from cereal boxes, cut a diagonal angle out of the front of the box to make it easy to see and access your papers. Glue multiple cereal boxes together to create partitions that help to keep you organized. Paint your cereal box file organizer with white paint as a primer to help cover package printing.
Then cover the entire surface with decorative paper, fabric, or colored paint. For additional organization, color-code your decorative color to match file folders by category, so you can always quickly identify your records.
For a fun alternative, visit thrift stores and harvest the spines of old books, and then glue them to the back of your cereal box file storage (or print out images of the spines of books you love). Place the storage box on a bookshelf with the spines facing out for a classic look that blends into a home office.
Conclusion
Making your own desk organizing accessories is a fun project and a great way to save money and creatively reuse everyday items, reducing your impact on the environment. The ability to choose your own color scheme not only personalizes your décor but can also help keep you organized and keep all your supplies sorted correctly, even on your busiest days.
Whether you prefer office décor that is delicate and welcoming, modern and industrial, or sleek and streamlined, these projects will make it easy to create your perfect office and keep it that way over time.