Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Home
  3. Home Design & Decor
  4. Home Office Design Ideas
  5. 19 Office Organizing Ideas to Tidy Up Your Space

19 Office Organizing Ideas to Tidy Up Your Space

By Emily Goldman Updated July 20, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
darcy miller studio desk space
Credit: Thuss + Farrel
Use these tips to keep your office in order and maximize its efficiency.
Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
darcy miller studio desk space
Credit: Thuss + Farrel

An office is where most of us spend a good part of our days. While it's meant to be a place of work, it can be difficult to get things done if your space is in disarray. From tidying up loose papers to corralling those pens that have been strewn all over the place, organizing your office is a surefire way to maximize efficiency and make you feel more at home within your work zone. To that end, we're showing you some of our favorite office organization ideas; they'll help you get and keep your workspace tidy.

Papers pile up—we find loose papers on our desks, in drawers, and underneath our chairs. With stylish filing cabinets, magazine holders, and letter organizers, we're showing you foolproof ways to ensure papers stay in line. If loose paper clips and push pins are wreaking havoc on your desktop, we have the solution for you. It's a simple DIY that involves some paint, wood, and a magnet that will have your office looking put together in no time. Not to mention it's a craft, giving you a much-needed creative outlet which is shown to help with productivity.

While we're sharing plenty of small and simple organization options to help you keep your area clean, we're also showing some all-in-one solutions that will help you make the most of your space. Explore a number of wall-mounted systems that can sit behind your door or on the wall above your desk. They offer built-in magazine holders, dry erase boards, and other organizing schemes all in one place. Ahead, find some of the best classic, unique, and creative organization ideas for your office.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tuck Away a Filing Cabinet

Lynch 2-Drawer Vertical Filing Cabinet
Credit: Courtesy of Wayfair

A freestanding filing cabinet offers instant office organization options thanks to its two drawers. The minimalistic white wood ensures your space remains visually clean, too.

Shop Now: Ebern Designs "Lynch" 2-Drawer Vertical Filing Cabinet, $135.99, wayfair.com.

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hang an Entryway Shelf

Anthropologie Iron Entryway Shelf Set
Credit: Courtesy of Anthropologie

Add more storage space to your office by hanging an organizer by your door. It can serve as a catch-all for everything from mail, to coats, to an umbrella, and it'll remind you to keep your space streamlined as soon as you enter.

Shop Now: Anthropologie Iron Entryway Shelf Set, $98, anthropologie.com.

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

For Your Personal Library

deska-34-0711mld107374.jpg
Credit: Seth Smoot

A floor-to-ceiling library is impressive, but the setup is not exactly practical. Low-rise bookcases offer the added benefit of extra storage. Thirty-inch square bookcases are the ideal height for a desk and are the same width as a standard-size door. To give the desk a finished, cohesive look, line the back of the shelves with marbled paper (and secure it with double-sided tape).

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Put Up a Wall Mount System

Daily Organization System Essential Office Set
Credit: Courtesy of Pottery Barn

This all-in-one piece is worth the investment. It features a pinboard with pins, a letter file bin, and a dry-erase calendar.

Shop Now: Pottery Barn Daily Organization System, $229, potterybarn.com.

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Utilize a Drawer Organizer

The Container Store "Like-It" Drawer Organizer Starter Kit
Credit: Courtesy of The Container Store

Just because what's inside your drawers is hidden doesn't mean it needs to be neglected in your office organization efforts. Use a drawer organizer like this one to ensure everything has a place.

Shop Now: The Container Store "Like-It" Drawer Organizer Starter Kit, $35.55, containerstore.com.

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Add Transparent Jars

darcy miller studios organization
Credit: Thuss + Farrel

Organize office supplies in transparent jars so you know what you're running low on—and what you have plenty of—at a glance.

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sort Files in Style

Martha Stewart "Stack+Fit" Cardboard General File Sorter in Blue
Credit: Courtesy of Staples

A bright hue like blue makes sorting files manageable, while the five shelves in this compact organizer free up more space for you.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart "Stack+Fit" Cardboard General File Sorter in Blue, $31.19, staples.com.

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Keep Papers Tidy

pink tray with office equipment and supplies
Credit: Kana Okada
Get the Organize Your Paperwork How-To

Gone are the days of papers everywhere. We're sharing tips on how to ensure every loose leaf has its own home.

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Make Use of Decorative Paper Clips

Daphna Laurens Paper Clips
Credit: Courtesy of Areaware

You'll get excited to file pieces of paper together with these avant-garde paper clips. We love the colors and shapes, and the price point.

Shop Now: Daphna Laurens Paper Clips, $20, aeraware.com.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Place Pens and Pencils Together

Martha Stewart Linen Deluxe Desk Organizer
Credit: Courtesy of Staples

This desktop organizer will proudly hold your go-to pens and pencils. It features a linen base covered in glass to keep it clean, and brass hardware for an elegant, elevated look.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Linen Deluxe Desk Organizer, $19.99, staples.com.

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Add a Pegboard

peg-board-131-d111065.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner

This sturdy pegboard—in decidedly modern, sleek gray—becomes the perfect base for neon Plexiglas sheets and pegs, which help to store small papers and knickknacks. The best part is that it is customizable to your needs.

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Charge Efficiently

West Elm Cable Box in Black
Credit: Courtesy of West Elm

Place your phone, tablet, and computer chargers all in one place to power up. This structure organizes wires with openings for each device's charger for an all-in-one unit.

Shop Now: West Elm Cable Box in Black, $38, westelm.com.

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Add a Shelf

Skagerak "Vivlio" Shelf
Credit: Courtesy of Goodee

Elevate your office (both literally and figuratively) with a classic, sleek wooden shelf. Designed to fit within a frame system, which is sold separately, this small shelf is ideal for tighter spaces.

Shop Now: Skagerak "Vivlio" Shelf, $249, goodeeworld.com.

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cart Items Around

Mind Reader "Charm" 3-Tier Metal/Wood Utility Cart
Credit: Courtesy of Amazon

An open-air cart is the epitome of a multi-use product. This one can help with your office organizing by allowing you to put anything from plants to pens and notebooks on each shelf. The metal and wood construct is the perfect amount of industrial style we love.

Shop Now: Mind Reader "Charm" 3-Tier Metal/Wood Utility Cart, $56.81, amazon.com.

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Create a Catchall for Pins and Tacks

gt02novmsl_tacks.jpg

Stepping on a tack that haphazardly rolled onto the floor is the worst. As a solution, a vintage soap dish can be repurposed into a holder for these tiny bits and affixed to the bottom of the bulletin board where you use them.

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Use Baskets for Storage

Hawkins New York "Shape" Baskets
Credit: Courtesy of Hawkins New York

Utilize baskets under your desk or behind your office door to house anything from your work shoes to a back pillow. These are decorative yet minimal, making them the perfect choice.

Shop Now: Hawkins New York "Shape" Baskets, $180 for three, hawkinsnewyork.com.

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Maximize Space with a Hanging Lamp

mld105796_0710_coil_lamps.jpg
Credit: Ditte Isager
Get the Striped Desk Lamp How-To

Instead of taking up precious desk space, opt for a vertical pendant lamp. We decorated this one in a nautical style with blue and white stripes, but you could create any design you love.

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Make a Magnetic Clip Organizer

clipmagnet_160525_0070-2.jpg
Credit: Andrew Ingalls

Your eyes will be drawn to these colorful magnetic blocks used to organize paper clips and safety pins of all sizes. The secret is to secure a strong magnet to the underside of a wooden container's lid. Pick your favorite Martha Stewart Crafts paint color, get creative with a stencil, and display it on your desktop.

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Craft Wooden Storage Boxes

deskbox_160525_0085.jpg
Credit: Andrew Ingalls

Easy to make and aesthetically pleasing, these painted wooden storage boxes are just the thing to add to your desk—and your office organization to-do list. Look for a container that suits your style, paint a fun color-block pattern with Martha Stewart Crafts Multi-Surface, and hide away your odds and ends.

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Emily Goldman

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20
    2 of 20 Tuck Away a Filing Cabinet
    3 of 20 Hang an Entryway Shelf
    4 of 20 For Your Personal Library
    5 of 20 Put Up a Wall Mount System
    6 of 20 Utilize a Drawer Organizer
    7 of 20 Add Transparent Jars
    8 of 20 Sort Files in Style
    9 of 20 Keep Papers Tidy
    10 of 20 Make Use of Decorative Paper Clips
    11 of 20 Place Pens and Pencils Together
    12 of 20 Add a Pegboard
    13 of 20 Charge Efficiently
    14 of 20 Add a Shelf
    15 of 20 Cart Items Around
    16 of 20 Create a Catchall for Pins and Tacks
    17 of 20 Use Baskets for Storage
    18 of 20 Maximize Space with a Hanging Lamp
    19 of 20 Make a Magnetic Clip Organizer
    20 of 20 Craft Wooden Storage Boxes

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    19 Office Organizing Ideas to Tidy Up Your Space
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.