I’ve got an organized desk and now I’m ready to be a focused, productivity machine in 2015! Toward the end of last year, my messy desk was starting to make me crazy. I decided to ask for three pretty magazine holders for Christmas to kick start my desk organization. Lucky for me, I DID receive them (thanks mom-in-law!) and I couldn’t wait to put them to good use.
Sadly, that wasn’t a staged before photo. The chaos was very real! In addition to the productivity-killing vibe the desk was putting out, it just wasn’t feeling like me. Considering that I spend hours a day at my desk, I wanted it to be a pretty spot that made me smile. And now it does!
Better, right?
I started by taking EVERYTHING off the desk. Sidebar: I really dislike the curtains in the room. I’m thinking about painting them with fabric paint. And I need to replace that boring drawer pull. The desk top may be done, but the room is still a work in progress! UPDATE: We DID change out AND paint the curtains Sept 2015.
I do a way better job weeding out unnecessary items if I start each organizing project as a blank slate instead of trying to rearrange things. For some reason, it’s easier to decide NOT to include something back onto a surface.
On the left side of the desk, I used my new magazine files for notebooks, catalogs, and magazines/books I’m currently reading. Now when new magazines come, I can put them right in the file and they won’t get lost around the house. I cut little labels for each file using scrap vinyl & my Silhouette.
My new custom binders work great with the magazine files. A Bath & Body Works candle doubles as a bookend when I’m not burning it. To order your own binder labels, visit me on Etsy!
As part of my desk makeover, I wanted to add a space for a few file folders on my desk. Not for long term storage, but to corral all the things I’m actively working on. I picked up a black mesh file organizer, but it was boring. I got mine locally at Walmart, but Amazon has them here*
.
A little Liquid Leaf later, all the trim was gold! So much better! I also added labels to the customized file folders that I showed you on Wednesday.
Switching out the front folder gives my desk an instant mood change! The gold dots are fun and go perfectly with the boxes I found at Marshall’s (score!).
Or for an even more cheery look, I can use the pink stripes in the front.
Although, I gotta say, today my only option is keeping the FOCUS folder in front. I desperately need the reminder because at the rate I’m going, it will be 2016 before any of you get to read this post. And that’s why it is my word of the year.
Bringing the focus back to the cute boxes now…
I brought home two of them, and after some brainstorming, I decided to put my most used items in the lid of one of the boxes. I splurged on a set of Le Pen
‘s* with some Christmas money and I LOVE them! The washi tape & Post-it Pop-Up Page Markers
* get used in my planner. I added electrical tape around the outside of the post-it packaging to cover up the orange background and text.
I’ve got more pens, pencils, and highlighters in the bottom box. It’s the stuff that I may need, but not often enough for it to be on display.
I’m using two little clay bowls that I made for paper clips and binder clips. I’m going to be selling these little bowls in my Etsy shop, so if your paper clips need a fancy new home, keep me in mind!
Here’s one last look of the right side all together.
It’s been a fun week for me with the binders, file folders, and today’s full organized desk reveal. I hope the week inspired some of you to tackle your desk organization and give yourself a great start to 2015!
Katie @ Addicted 2 DIY says
It’s so pretty, and clean, and organized! My desk gets shared with my hubby, doubles as my workspace for crafting, and looks very much like your before. Can you come organize my space? 😉
Melissa George says
Get that pool finished and I’ll be there 🙂
Kimberly @ Stuffed Suitcase says
Love this Melissa! My desk is in desperate need of a makeover and you’ve really inspired me! Love how you made over the simple manila folders. Pinning this!
facadesandnuances says
I love these ideas! I am definitely clearing everything off my desk this weekend and organizing (my desk is even worse right now!).
Naomi M says
Great post! I’m SLOWLY doing each room in my house bit by bit, and this is probably the ONLY part that’s driving me mad. How do I have my desk organised and pretty looking at the same time. Now I have some ideas to create a pretty desk space.
Melissa George says
I’d be thrilled if this was the last part making me crazy 🙂
Candie says
thanks so much for sharing practical, affordable and absolutely adorable organizational ideas. I’m feeling inspired to tackle my office supplies.
Melissa George says
You are so welcome!!! Thanks for reading AND commenting!
Shelia @ House of Highlands says
I love this!!! I have a built-in office nook next to my kitchen but I’m using it as a Butler’s pantry to store my cookbooks, KitchenAid, and Cuisinart. I am now reconsidering and making it the office it was designed to be! This looks terrific and is a beautiful way to organize your office items – great job!
Shelia
Yasmina - Mina and Her Blog says
Your office desk looks amazing! Your supplies are super cute, I love the file one that says focus!
Chelsey says
Your desk looks wonderful! I desperately need to do something similar. Though I have a few other plans for it before organizing. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration!
Amanda says
Hi!
Can I ask about the Le Pens you have a link to? I prefer pens that are fine, felt tipped pens. The Sharpie brand fine tip pens are my favorite! I want fun colors though, how do the Le Pens write? Can you make any comparison for me? I know it’s a silly question, but I want to find out more before I make a purchase. (Through your affiliate link of course if I go with them!)
Thanks for humoring me,
Amanda
Melissa George says
Of course! They are actually pretty similar. I feel like the Le Pen’s write a little bit smoother and the colors are a little bit more saturated than the Sharpie fine points (at least the colors that I have). Looking at the tips of the pens themselves, they are really similar. The barrel of the Le Pen’s are skinnier than the Sharpie as well, which could be good or bad depending on what you like. I’ve got tiny kid hands, so they work great for me 🙂 I’ll email you a picture too.
Amanda says
Thank you so much for all the feedback, the picture you e-mailed me was super helpful! I will be ordering a set soon, I think I will really like them. 🙂
Amanda
Cathy says
wondering if you bought the gold stapler, or painted one? I love the idea of starting from scratch with an empty desk and going from there. Makes so much sense! thank you!
Melissa George says
Hi Cathy – the stapler is from the Nate Berkus line at Target. Not the cheapest stapler in the world, but man do I love that thing! I’m normally a paint-it-yourselfer, but the finish on the this one is so shiny, perfect, and awesome that it was worth the splurge.
Angela says
I love your desk! It is so gorgeous I recently updated my desk too. Having it look pretty and be tidy makes you want to use it so much more.
Carrie says
I kind of love those magazine holders. Why is it I hate brass light fixtures but love gold office supplies and the polka dots?! It looks great. I just updated my little office space too if you want to stop by and let me know what you think.
Amanda says
This is my main struggle… I’ve purchased a little cabinet to sit beside my desk last week… I love your ideas and wish my desk were bigger to do them all !!
HELLOKATZI says
I love your filing folders idea, especially with the gold dots design. Everything looks so clean and tidy!
Anna Joy says
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing. I love how pretty this looks, and even the candle on the desk. I definitely need to do something like this on my poor desk.
Crystal says
Love this! I’m trying to get organized for next semester but I really want to know where did you get that cute polka dotted box from?
Melissa George says
Hi Crystal, the box was a great find at Marshall’s. I’ve heard other people say they have seen them at Ross as well. Good luck with next semester!
Karen M. Roth says
I absolutely love a Clean Organized desk , the problem is that I am Chronically ill and half the time I do not have the energy to put stuff back where it belongs. You know the saying, ” The Spirit is willing , but the Flesh is weak”? Well, that is me right now (Adrenals are failing) + the fact that I have to keep my monster computer tower and keyboard on my desk to prevent the dust bunnies from colonizing and making a complete world of their own,lol and I have a Executive desk and still not enough room. I truly miss my writing place!
Ah,well, time to get busy getting simplified and organized in the few 15-minute spurts I have in a day which is a total of three with much resting in between, but I will not be daunted! I will use my Project planner for my steps needed to complete in short easy steps. Then transfer the top 3 to my planner :o) Then do the top 3 in the morning when I do have the energy I do have.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I am also your newest fan :o)
Hanny says
Where are those magazine holders from?
Melissa George says
Hi Hanny, they are from the Nate Berkus collection at Target.
Mandy Hank says
Melissa, I love your magazine organization- perfect to sort them out and what you need to do- awesome!!
Melissa George says
Thank you Mandy! It hasn’t solved our entire magazine hoarding issue, but it sure has helped!