• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Categories
    • Furniture
    • All Natural
    • Decor
    • Biz & Blog-Sense
      • Recommended Resources & Tools for Blogging
      • Stock Shop
      • Tips for choosing the right web hosting for your site
      • Link Parties
    • Lifestyle
  • Shop My Style
  • Collaborate
  • Contact

Chalking Up Success! logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Categories
  • Shop
  • Collab
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Categories
    • Shop
    • Collab
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Decor

    January 14, 2022

    11 Creative desk organization ideas & DIYs

    Pinterest image with text overlay
    Pinterest image with text overlay
    Pinterest image with text overlay

    Today, I'm sharing eleven of my favourite, creative desk organization ideas. These double as great craft storage ideas if you are on a tight budget. I'll be sharing some DIY small space, desktop storage ideas to corral all those small items, together with ideas for affordable under desk storage. We'll also be talking about how to organize a desk without drawers.

    Let's face it, nobody likes to work on a messy desk! Especially, if you have a small work space like the one in my tiny landing office, clutter tends to accumulate in no time at all.

    Today, we are going to tackle the clutter and create an organized desk where you can do your very best work.

    The best part is that all of these desk organization ideas are affordable and some are even (almost) free!

    Save this Idea!

    If you'd like to save this idea for later, be sure to pin it to your most relevant Pinterest board - hover over or tap the top left corner of the image below and the Pinterest 'Save' button will appear.

    Pinterest image with text overlay
    Creative desk organization ideas
    Table of contents
    • Save this Idea!
    • Decluttering
    • Desk organization ideas for small items
    • DIY craft supplies organization ideas
    • Corner storage ideas
    • Basket storage ideas
    • Storage Boxes
    • Files and folders
    • Shop the post
    • Corkboard Ideas
    • Keep up-to-date
    • THESE POSTS ARE GOOD TOO!

    Decluttering

    By the way, before you start organizing, you should start with decluttering. If you need some help with that, sign up for my free decluttering email series here. Declutter Success is a five-day email course with printable planning worksheets, checklists and room organising ideas and it's free when you sign up for our newsletter through the image in the sidebar.

    Declutter Success - Free five day email course from Chalking up success. Includes worksheets and room planners.
    Declutter Success email course

    Now, let's get started with my eleven favourite Creative desk organization ideas – on a budget!

    Desk organization ideas for small items

    First, let's tackle all those small items that need to be in easy reach. Things like paper clips binder clips, sticky notes and all those little office supplies.

    If you're a crafter like me, you also need easy access to things like Washi tape, twine, ribbons and seasonal decorating materials.

    Upcycle glass jars

    A great idea for organizing small items on your desk is to upcycle glass jars into desktop organizers. The best part is that you can use jars in different sizes to accommodate smaller or larger office supplies.

    I like to keep my desk storage jars plain and simple so that it's easy to see what's inside but you could also paint the jars all a similar colour if you like.

    Upycled clear glass jars containing office supplies
    Upcycle glass jars to store office supplies

    Create labels

    If you're going to paint the glass jars, it's probably a good idea to use a label maker to create labels so you can quickly see what's inside the jars. Another way to make super stylish tags for your jars would be with air dry clay. I have a comprehensive tutorial for using air-dry clay on my blog. After you've read that (loads of tips), you can watch the air dry clay video tutorial here.

    To create a cohesive aesthetic, it's best if you try to use jars that are similar in shape and size. I upcycle empty yoghurt jars to store my office and crafting supplies.

    Paint jar lids to suit your decor

    Here's another great idea if your jars don't have the same coloured lid. You can easily solve that problem by using spray paint to paint the lids the same colour. You can see how I painted some jar lids to create handmade taper candle holders in this post. The best thing about painting the lids is that you can match the storage jars to suit your office décor.

    DIY craft supplies organization ideas

    Things like pens, pencils, rulers, scissors, rubbers, markers, paintbrushes and all those crafty bits and bobs also deserve a storage space on your desk.

    Recycle tin cans

    Here's a quick and easy way to organize your desk with tin cans. These DIY desktop organizers look great but cost almost nothing to make.

    Tin cans upcyled with a paper and twine sash to use as creative desk organizers.
    Upcycle empty tin cans into pretty DIY desk organizers

    Simply remove the labels and any residue glue from some empty tin cans. Glue a narrow piece of black card stock around the middle of each can and tie it with some striped twine. Add a label so you can quickly see what's inside even if the tins are on the top shelf.

    If you've ever wondered what you do with empty tin cans - now you know!

    Reclaimed wood desk organizer

    If you have some bits of scrap wood lying around then, this DIY desk tidy is simple to make. Cut five pieces of pallet wood to size and use a nail gun to nail them together. You could leave your scrap wood organizer as it is or use a stencil or stamp to customise it to your taste. I've used a Fern stamp which I bought from Etsy, to create a design on my desk organizer.

    Small pieces of reclaimed wood have been made into a small square desk organizer for pens, pencils, paintbrushes etc.
    Make a desk organizer from reclaimed wood

    Corner storage ideas

    Desk corner storage can be a little bit tricky. The things you place there are too far away and if you leave the corner empty the space could look too bare.

    Here are some nifty desk organization ideas to bring the corner space to life.

    Mini storage chest

    Add extra storage to your desk with a mini storage chest like this one from Ikea.

    For this office refresh, the Ikea Moppe mini storage chest has been painted in a Farmhouse star quilt design which blends well with the style of the office. Mini paint pots, crafting accessories and office supplies are stored within the small drawer organizers.

    You can find the tutorial for the Ikea Moppe makeover here.

    An Ikea Moppe mini storage chest has been upcyled with black and white paint in a star quilt pattern.
    A gorgeous Ikea hack with the Moppe mini chest

    The extra space at the side of the Moppe storage chest is a perfect place to store planners, notebooks and diaries.


    Basket storage ideas

    What can you store in a basket?

    Things like printer paper, printer cartridges, craft paper, fabric (if you sew) and miscellaneous office supplies are all great items for storing in baskets. A friend of mine once told me that she stores a large comfy blanket in a basket in her office so that she can quickly grab it if she gets cold!

    A long wicker basket on a shelf.
    Baskets make versatile storage options in a small office

    I use an extra-large Ikea storage basket like the ones under my coffee table, to store printer ink and paper. This rectangular basket fits perfectly on my DIY shelves under the eves.

    How to use small baskets for storage

    I like to use small baskets to corral similar items that I can quickly grab for use on my desk.

    One of my favourite basket storage ideas is converted from a Christmas ornament container. Inside are small jars containing paper clips, file clamps, twine and glue sticks for use with my mini glue gun (always need those on hand).

    A small wicker basket filled with mini jars, twine, and glue gun sticks.
    Use small baskets to hold small items

    Storage Boxes

    Another great idea is to use cardboard boxes to add extra storage to a small office. Boxes are cheap, environmentally friendly and come in all sorts of colours and designs. You could even wrap shoeboxes with craft paper to make DIY storage boxes with a unique look.

    A white storage box on a shelf.
    Pretty boxes make great organizing solutions

    What can you store in a box?

    Using boxes is a great way to hide away files, important documents or unsightly office supplies too. I use my large white box to store paper templates and patterns.

    If you are a crafter, you could store any number of craft supplies in a box such as threads, yarns, paints, brushes etcetera.

    On my desk, an old cigar box is being used to hold all of my highlighter pens. You can see it in the photo of the reclaimed wood organizer above.

    Files and folders

    One of the best ways to organize important documents is by using file folders. Make or buy cardboard separators to make your file organizer even more efficient.

    A shelf filled with file folders, a wooden file organizer and tin cans upcyled with a paper and twine sash to use as creative desk organizers.
    File boxes and folders keep important documents tucked away

    Shop the post

    Under desk organization ideas with paper bags

    Did you know that you can make your own large paper bags? The paper bag you see below is a DIY and it's now stored underneath my desk. I use my pretty paper bag to store parcel wrapping paper in my office. Take a look at my tutorial for making paper bags if you are interested in making some yourself.

    photo shows a DIY giant paper bag painted white with the top rolled down to reveal the natural tan colour of the inside. The bad is stencilled with dandelion seedheads in the colour 'Graphite'. A smaller bag in natural brown holds a vase of white freisers.
    DIY giant paper bags

    Corkboard Ideas

    Schedules and notes

    A corkboard isn't the most essential of my desk organization ideas but it's worth a mention all the same. A corkboard is handy for pinning up your daily/monthly schedules and it's a great place to pin all those sticky notes that would otherwise be cluttering up your desk.

    Vision and mood boards

    Other ways to use a corkboard in your office could be as a mood board or a vision/inspiration board. Gather images and quotes that inspire you and use pretty push pins to pin them to your corkboard so you see them every day.


    I hope you've been inspired by my creative desk organization ideas and will have a go at making some of these yourself.

    Next week, I'll be sharing my winter office makeover so keep a lookout for that if you're interested in room styling. If you don't want to miss a post, sign up for our weekly newsletter (form below) and you'll get my posts delivered straight to your inbox.

    If you have any suggestions for more DIY small desk organization ideas, I'd love to hear them. Feel free to let me know in the comments below.



    Keep up-to-date

    Before you go, if you’re not part of our amazing creative community yet but would love to join us, you can sign up for the weekly newsletter through the form below. We’d love to have you onboard! By signing up, you’ll also receive a copy of the free ‘Furniture Flip Checklist’ and gain access to all the other printables, e-books and labels in the VIP Resource Library.

    ENJOYED THIS POST? SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

    Please consider leaving a comment if you enjoyed this post. I also very much appreciate shares to Pinterest or social media. Your shares really help me a lot and only costs you a minute of your time, thank you so much.

    THESE POSTS ARE GOOD TOO!

    A person using a marker pen to transfer a pattern onto the front of an Ikea Moppe storage chest.
    Ikea Moppe hack
    Small, work from home office with an L-shaped corner desk.
    How to make a DIY corner desk
    DIY light brown shelves with white metal supports - crafts and DIYs for adults and teens
    How to put up shelves with adjustable brackets

    Sharing here.

    More Decor

    • DIY Valentine's Day decorations Ideas
    • How to prep furniture for chalk paint
    • How to make clay heart ornaments
    • Simple Valentine's wreath DIY ideas to love

    Sharing is caring!

    • Share
    • Tweet

    Click the image to sign up to our Newsletter!

    Sign up to our newsletter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    1. Paula@SweetPea says

      January 14, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      You have so many wonderful ideas for keeping a desk organized.

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        January 14, 2022 at 8:12 pm

        Thank you, Paula! I love an organized desk!

        Reply
    2. Linda Johnston says

      January 14, 2022 at 8:23 pm

      I found some good ideas for my soon to be office shared with the guest room on a tiny desk! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        January 18, 2022 at 9:49 am

        Thanks, Linda, I'm glad you found the post helpful. Good luck with decorating your new office.

        Reply
    3. Jenn says

      January 18, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      Great ideas! I love baskets and boxes! Your Ikea hack is super cute!

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        January 18, 2022 at 5:57 pm

        Thanks so much, Jenn! I'm so glad you like my Ikea hack!

        Reply
    4. Kim | Shiplap and Shells says

      January 20, 2022 at 1:45 am

      Thanks so much for sharing these great organizing tips, Jayne. I always love using baskets.

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        January 20, 2022 at 1:45 pm

        You're welcome, Kim. I'm glad you enjoyed the post!

        Reply
    5. Renae says

      February 04, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      I love this idea. Thank you so much for linking up with Fabulous Friday Link Party! We sure appreciate you, Hugs and blessings to you.

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        February 04, 2022 at 7:48 pm

        Thanks, Renae!

        Reply
    6. Cindy says

      February 11, 2022 at 3:24 am

      You shared so many great ideas. Thank you for a great post!

      Pinned

      Reply
      • Jayne Westerholt says

        February 11, 2022 at 10:07 am

        Glad you like my desk organization ideas, Cindy!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Jayne Westerholt profile image.

    Welcome friend! I'm Jayne, a home, DIY, Lifestyle blogger with a passion for chalk painting furniture, beautiful home decor and creating an organic home.

    More about me →


    The 'Furniture Flip Checklist' is a free mini e-Book in PDF form - 10 things you need to know before buying used furniture for your home - Room planning guide included #freeebook #chalkpainting #furnitureflip #recycle #homedecor #furniturepainting
    FREE with our Newsletter!

    Recent Posts

    • How to decorate a man's bedroom (21 masculine design ideas)
    • Salt dough garland | Christmas DIY
    • How to make pretty DIY walnut wreath candle holders
    • Rustic Christmas living and dining room ideas

    Image says 'Shop my style'. This button takes you to a dedicated page with my shopping links.

    CLICK THE IMAGE TO VISIT OUR SHOP


    Sign up for our free course

    Declutter Success - Free five day email course from Chalking up success. Includes worksheets and room planners.

    Click to sign-up


    Sign up to our newsletter

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

    Click to Subscribe to our YouTube channel

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Us

    • Privacy Notice
    • Disclosure
    • Terms & Conditions
    • About
    • Imprint

    Resources

    • Subscribe to Newsletter
    • Stock Photography Shop
    • Blogging Resources
    • Furniture Flip e-Book
    • Shop My Style
    • Subscriber Library

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • FAQ

    Copyright © 2023 ChalkingUpSuccess

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT