But Really, How Clean is Your Desk?

I have the best of intentions with my workspace. I imagine a neat setup with only the things I need—nothing more. But let’s be honest: that’s not always how it plays out. Before I know it, I’ve got a small graveyard of coffee cups, tangled cables, and random stuff I pulled out of my backpack. If this sounds like your daily reality, keep reading.

The allure of a clean desk

A clutter-free workspace can boost focus, productivity, and even your mood. According to a study by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, visible clutter in your surroundings competes for your attention, which can reduce performance and increase stress. That’s why tidying up now and then isn’t just about aesthetics—it can actually help you work better and feel better.

Why our desks get messy

Grab-and-go chaos

When I'm rushing out the door, I may occasionally clear out all unnecessary items from my backpack onto my desk—headphones, phone chargers, or that extra sweatshirt. Over time, this “temporary” drop-off zone has become permanent, like there's extra gravity on this part of my desk.

Lack of designated storage

I don't have good storage near my desk. I need some drawers, hooks, bins, or something. If there isn’t a drawer, hook, or container for each item (like cables or travel mugs), it’s easier for them to linger on my desk.

Forgetting to reset

At the end of a long day, a quick desk tidy is easy to skip. According to a piece by Harvard Business Review on workplace productivity, even five minutes of end-of-day cleanup can help maintain order. But if I'm tired or preoccupied, I tend to never get around to it.

Simple habits to keep things neat

I'm obviously not the expert in this arena, but I have learned that it doesn’t take a massive overhaul to see real improvement. In fact, small, consistent actions can make a world of difference.

Designate a landing spot

Marie Kondo (you know her, right?) recommends to keep a small container or basket specifically for the items that come out of my backpack. This prevents them from migrating to my desk.

Manage cables

PCWorld (and many others) says to use cable ties or clips to tame the wires behind my desk. This keeps cables from becoming a tangled mess and makes it easier to plug and unplug devices.

Corral those cups

Since I love a cup of coffee in the morning, I have decided to set a strict rule for myself: no more than one mug on the desk at a time. Once I'm done, my plan is to rinse it and put it away.

Adopt the 5-minute wrap-up

Harvard Business Review recommends I schedule the final five minutes of my workday to clear cups, wrap cables properly, and return any stray items to where they belong.

Reap the rewards

I used to think that a tidy desk was just about appearances—like I should keep it neat in case someone pops into my workspace or notices it on a video call. But I’ve come to realize it’s so much more than that. There are real, tangible perks to having a clean, functional setup.

Increased productivity

By keeping my wires organized and cups cleared away, I save myself the aggravation of hunting down that missing charger or rummaging for my AirPods. According to a 2019 Harvard Business Review article on workplace efficiency, minimal visual clutter can help me streamline my workflow and stay focused on one task at a time. I’ve definitely found that not having random stuff in my peripheral vision makes it easier to tap into that productivity “zone.”

Reduced stress

I’ll admit, a cluttered desk used to stress me out the moment I glanced at it. I felt overwhelmed, like I had a never-ending list of small tasks to do (cleaning up, finding places for things, throwing away old coffee cups). A 2011 study by the Princeton Neuroscience Institute explains why: physical clutter competes for my attention, making it harder to concentrate. Now that I’m more deliberate about tidying up, I notice I can focus on my actual work without feeling that nagging mental load.

A better mindset

It’s amazing how much my own state of mind improves when I sit down to a desk that’s not buried in wires, mugs, and random junk. In 2018, the Journal of Environmental Psychology highlighted how decluttering and personalizing our surroundings can lead to a greater sense of ownership and job satisfaction. In my experience, having a workspace that feels under control gives me a small boost of motivation each day. It’s like I’m telling myself that I’m ready to focus, create, and get things done.

Give some grace

Remember, it’s perfectly normal for things to get a bit messy, especially when juggling tasks and deadlines. The goal isn’t a spotless desk at all times. Instead, it’s about having a reliable system to bring order back when chaos creeps in. By forming just a few daily (or weekly) habits - and equipping myself with simple storage solutions - I hope to find my space can stay organized more often than not.

So, here’s to the cups, the cables, and the random items we love enough to carry everywhere—may they live on our desks a little more neatly from now on!