Organizing Your Desk with Marie Kondo

For a place where we spend so much of our time, it’s amazing how little thought is often put into the design and organization of our desks. It’s all too common for a desk to become an area of clutter or just characterized by a general thoughtlessness. Instead of inspiring us to do our best work, our desks often become a reflection of our busy lives – messy, chaotic, and far from the serene workspace that we envision.

Through partnering with Marie Kondo, the Japanese organizing consultant and author who has taken the world by storm with her KonMari Method™, we here at Transformer Table have unlocked new ways of organizing our workspaces. There is so much you can do to create a desk that helps you work mindfully and productively.

Understanding the KonMari Method™

First things first, before you begin creating the workspace of your dreams, it’s important to understand the basics of the KonMari Method™. If you’re not familiar with it the core principles they are as follows:

Commit to tidying up
Imagine your ideal lifestyle
Discard first, then organize
Tidy by category, not location
Follow the right order
Ask yourself if it sparks joy

These ideas will form the foundation of your desk organization project. By applying them to your workspace, you can create an environment that allows you to work mindfully and productively.

Commit to Tidying Your Desk

The first step in any KonMari-inspired organization project is to commit fully to the process. Set aside a specific time – perhaps a weekend afternoon or a series of evenings – to focus on your desk. This isn't a quick fix; it's a transformative process that requires dedication and attention.

Envision Your Ideal Workspace

Before you start sorting through pens and papers, take a moment to close your eyes and imagine your perfect desk. What does it look like? How does it make you feel? What activities does it support? This vision will guide your decisions throughout the organizing process.

Consider aspects such as the amount of open space you'd like, the tools and resources you need at hand, the aesthetics that inspire you, and the overall mood you want to create

Write down or sketch out your vision to make it more concrete and refer back to it as you work. This is the most invigorating part of the process so allow yourself to think deeply and picture the life you would lead if you had your dream workspace.

Discard Before Organizing

Now comes the challenging but crucial step: discarding items that don't serve you. In classic Marie Kondo fashion, start by removing everything from your desk and drawers. Yes, everything. This allows you to start with a clean slate and makes the sorting process more effective.

As you handle each item, ask yourself:

Does this spark joy?

Be honest with yourself. It's easy to fall into the trap of keeping things "just in case," but this often leads to unnecessary clutter. Remember, the goal is to surround yourself only with items that are useful or bring you joy.

Common items to consider discarding or relocating:

Outdated technology or manuals
Dried-up pens or markers
Old notebooks or planners
Unnecessary decorations
Duplicate items
Unfinished projects that no longer interest you

Don't forget to properly recycle or dispose of items, and consider donating usable supplies to schools or community centers. It may feel difficult to let things go, but remember that these types of items actually hold you back from becoming your ideal self!

Organize by Category

Now that you've pared down your possessions, it's time to organize what remains. The KonMari Method suggests tidying by category rather than location. For a desk, you might consider these categories:

Paper (notebooks, loose sheets, sticky notes)
Books and reference materials
Technology (computer, tablet, cords)
Writing tools
Personal items (photos, mementos)
Decorative elements

Start with one category and sort through all items in that group before moving to the next. This helps you see exactly how much you have in each category and makes it easier to decide what to keep.

Find a Home for Everything

In an area with limited space like a desk, it’s handy for each item you keep in your desk to have a designated spot. This not only makes your desk look tidier but also saves time in the long run since you'll always know where to find what you need. If you don’t feel that you have room for everything even after going through the discarding process, then it might be worth investing in organization tools. These can include strategies like:

Using drawer dividers for small items like paperclips and pushpins
Investing in a desk with cable management to keep cords tidy
Using vertical space with wall-mounted shelves or a pegboard
Keeping frequently used items within easy reach
Storing less-used items in drawers or on higher shelves

Implement Smart Storage Solutions

Even though you have let go of items that no longer serve you, it’s still important to be able to put away the things that bring you joy. It doesn't mean you can't use clever storage solutions. The key is to choose options that are both functional and joy-sparking. Some ideas include:

A desktop organizer for pens, scissors, and other small tools
A beautiful tray for corralling loose items
A pristine file folder for papers that you can’t part with
A desk pad to define your workspace and protect the surface

Remember, the goal is to create a workspace that lets you work more efficiently and mindfully. When you select your storage solutions with care, you’ll find it’s easy to feel more centered and productive as you work.

Create a Paper Management System

Paper can be one of the biggest contributors to clutter on your desk. While many papers can be discarded, some are necessary in life. It can be life changing to develop a system to manage incoming and outgoing papers:

Sort mail immediately, recycling junk and filing important documents
Use a simple filing system for papers you need to keep
Scan documents when possible to reduce physical clutter
Keep a small recycling bin near your desk for easy disposal

Consider adopting a "touch it once" rule: when you receive a piece of paper, decide immediately whether to file it, act on it, or discard it.

Maintain Digital Organization

Even if you have a good hold on managing paper clutter, you might be much less organized in the digital realm. Virtual clutter can be just as distracting as physical mess. By applying thoughtful organizational techniques to digital clutter, you can free up a lot of space in your workspace and in your mind. Some helpful tips to manage yourself digitally include:

Organize your computer desktop, keeping only essential icons visible
Create a logical folder structure for your files
Regularly clean out your email inbox
Unsubscribe from newsletters you no longer read
Delete or archive old files and emails

A tidy digital environment can be just as refreshing and productivity-boosting as a clean physical desk.

Add Elements That Spark Joy

Now that you've decluttered and organized, it's time for the fun part – adding elements that truly spark joy. This could be:

A small plant to bring life to your space
A framed photo of loved ones
A treasured souvenir from a trip
A beautiful pen holder or paperweight
An inspiring quote or piece of art
A scented candle or essential oil diffuser

These personal touches make your desk uniquely yours and can provide motivation and bursts of happiness throughout your workday. If you're having trouble with the tidying process, you can try starting with this step instead. Place an item that you know sparks joy and then organize your desk around this item. It may sound counterintuitive but it can often be the gateway into envisioning your ideal workspace.

Embracing a Joyful Workspace

By applying Marie Kondo's principles to your desk, you're not just organizing physical items – you're creating a space that supports your goals, boosts your productivity, and brings you joy. A well-organized desk can reduce stress, increase focus, and inspire creativity.

As you go through this process, be patient with yourself. Changing habits and letting go of items can be challenging, but the result is worth the effort. Your desk is where you spend a significant portion of your day – it deserves to be a space that truly sparks joy.

Remember, the perfect desk isn't about achieving a picture-perfect aesthetic. It's about creating a space that works for you and helps bring your ideal life to fruition.

So, take a deep breath, picture your ideal self, and start your journey towards a more mindfully organized desk. Your future self will thank you for it.

Organizing Your Desk with Marie Kondo: A Guide to Joyful Productivity