---
title: 4 ways to organise your desk for a productivity boost
description: If you want to optimise your productivity, you have to know how to organise your desk right. There's more to it than meets the eye.
image: https://www.turbinehq.com/hubfs/pexels-serpstat-177219-572056.jpg
---
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# 4 ways to organise your desk for a productivity boost
[By Clare Dodd](https://www.turbinehq.com/blog/author/clare-dodd)
Published 11-Sep-2018 07:15:00 Updated September 23 2024
> It’s been a productive morning. You’ve posted, tweeted, scanned the 3-minute reads on Medium and are on your second cup of tea.
>
> You really must make that client call.
>
> And you will. Right after you tackle the unholy mess that is your desk.
Sound familiar? OK, so it's clearly time for a productivity-boosting clear out. But why is mess such a problem and is there a method to clearing the madness?
Lets look at the art and science behind four of the most effective ways to organise your desk.
## Clutter. What Clutter?
Clutter affects concentration. Chaos distracts and the [Princeton University Neuroscience Institute](https://unclutterer.com/2011/03/29/scientists-find-physical-clutter-negatively-affects-your-ability-to-focus-process-information/) has published a study to prove it. Einstein might disagree, but unless you are a [genius](https://blog.busybuildingthings.com/post/68180225961/why-you-should-have-a-messy-desk#_=_), remove last year’s sticky notes, buy a [large bin](https://www.inc.com/neil-patel/how-to-organize-your-office-for-maximum-productivity.html) and create ‘put me here’ space so keys and umbrellas don’t get in your way - or lost! Then, follow these [ten steps](https://zenhabits.net/declutter-guide/) to zen decluttering.
[](https://www.turbinehq.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL5da6%2FApdAVvzMb%2Bva4BSgCpcP73t9UEqE9YlQTBj%2FimInkIgwM%2BLnpwB5HJ3gW0T5ftHCd%2BZWrFSG3aZBXpSzax4CyNcAaRV1uhlVbCYEjZJbwkSoimh%2F%2BDFAi7d1oNxT5Fg%2FQRrKm%2B2qVgN9NB2xRWHRVBkDgU4n0zJzuEvBnzDa1viSYl7xV7qfwDBCZBRcRFXzVOZnmA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=179194264153&portalId=2183131)
## Say [Feng Shui](https://greatist.com/happiness/ultimate-guide-to-feng-shui-for-desk) or Fung Shwey
The Chinese believe in channeling positive energy or ‘chi’. Feng Shui is the art of [arranging](http://rdchin.com/blog2/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/PDFQuestionsfor5TipsBlog.pdf) plants, objects, art, books and technology in an airy, sunlit space to improve the flow of chi. Bring [harmony, health and prosperity](https://www.motherearthliving.com/green-homes/desktop?PageId=2) into your world. Use a bagua map so you don’t accidentally sacrifice creativity for your career or your family for fame. The [same rules apply](https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rodikatchi/feng-shui-in-home-offices/) whether your desk is in the corner office or in the closet.
## When in doubt, rearrange
The simplest way to get organised is to rearrange. Keep separate trays for the paper trail; a caddy for stationery; non-essentials in desk drawers; no more than three personal items and an A4 sized white space. Place your monitor at eye-level and your lap top (or typewriter) centre stage. Your workspace is now your [command centre](https://money.cnn.com/2015/01/30/pf/jobs/desk-organized-tips/).
## Go minimalist
Still distracted? Sweep everything off your desk and find a happy medium between [Andrew Hyde](https://andrewhy.de/extreme-minimalism/) and KonMarie. You might find that your laptop, a plant, photo and coffee mug is all you need to [stay happily focused](https://www.turbinehq.com/blog/automating-business-processes).
Trying to organise your desk is as much an art as it is a [science](https://99u.adobe.com/articles/17437/the-perfect-workspace-according-to-science).
[](https://www.turbinehq.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIBILxvsqqI7EwU5Tu2iQL2UfPPWb0QVa2fJgg8S0qLP09CQNG4vUfyurZjDVVsvKPtwhKM2TZ5JuAvCS3YaOk%2BACEWUgP3aPi3GBPh1ImRFJTcTt9p1znVwhwy%2BqN57Bf0YnaENG6LF3UWvxdiLp1n65Jbc1YZDTXk4rP3yzcgvk9PKFpmFk5oPEDbWYbxOt6oUHs%3D&webInteractiveContentId=179198303298&portalId=2183131)
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