desk

Having an organized workspace will streamline your schedule and boost your productivity, so take some time to assess your desk situation and sort your supplies. Whether you're in need of a major overhaul or just a mini makeover, you can follow these six easy steps to create a clean, clutter-free desk space.

1. Clear it all out. Before you can arrange your things or add new supplies, you'll need to take stock of what you already have at your desk. Begin by emptying any drawers and pulling folders from the shelves. As you remove the items, sort them into categories: keep, toss, and undecided. Set the undecided pieces aside to deal with later.
2. Sort by type. Divide the keep pile into loose papers, folders, tools, and personal items. Designate specific drawers or shelves for each category before moving forward, and remember to arrange them in a way that's tailored to your work habits.
3. Deal with the paper situation. Every piece of paper should be put into a folder or file, even if it's just a "deal with later" folder that you check at the end of each day. Loose items can get lost, so it's important to create a space for every document.

Keep reading for more desk organization tips.

Sometimes decorating your desk with pretty items can put a smile on your face even when you're going through a tough work day. I'm asking, what sort of desk ornaments or organizing items do you have on your work desk?

My desk has a pink mouse pad with a cartoon bear on it, headphones for me to watch YouTube videos, my Starbucks tumbler, a tiny whiteboard for me to jot down ideas, and a stack of career and personal finance books on the side. Not to forget, there's usually always a copy of O magazine! What sort of items do you have on your desk?

It's easy when you're sitting at a desk all day to forget about keeping your posture in line. You're focused on office duties and the day's stresses, and before you know it you're slouching again.

Here's a tip for remembering your posture: wear a tight shirt! It's much more comfortable to sit up straight if you're wearing a tighter shirt; slouch, and your tummy pushes out against the fabric. If you're focused on keeping your stomach looking flat, you'll also remember to whip your posture into shape. A loose top, however, hides your stomach and gives you an excuse to stay hunched over. (And check out how this Fit reader improved her posture!)

Do you have any other tips for better posture at work?

I don't normally get this excited about office furniture, but the Vika Veine desk ($99) gets me pumped. Real pumped. Why? Well, take a look — you'd think the desk is just a flat, empty, clean tabletop, but flip open the top, and it reveals a space to hold your laptop, a compartment for your electrical cords and cables, and pockets to hold your cell phone and pens, along with elastic straps to keep your paperwork, headphones, or whatever against a nice felted back (which can also be used as a board to post your ideas to). Amazing, right?!

The desk itself is only three feet across, and almost two feet deep, so it's perfect for small spaces and cramped office areas. I don't know about you, but I'm ordering mine now.

Although I would have trouble whittling down my home office desk accessories, this ConSOUL desk from DesignSpray would be a fantastic addition to a tiny apartment or kids' room. The clean lines would prevent too much pileup on the desktop front so you can focus on your work instead of all those trinkets (or messy papers) within eye shot.

The only downside? The price. Even though this minimalist desk looks like it came from cost-conscious Ikea, it's priced at nearly $1,000. Maybe someone can hack a (much) cheaper Ikea desk and teach us all how to DIY one ourselves. Any takers?

We all know that being sedentary for long periods of time isn’t good for our health, but if you work a desk job, you may not have a choice. Some workplaces offer on-site gyms, and others even have standing workstations, but in most offices you’re on your own figuring out ways to keep moving during the day. Of course, if you have a job that requires you to be on your feet, being too sedentary at work is a non-issue. How much of your workday is spent sitting still?

There's no fighting it — back to school time is here. I've already shown you ways to stylishly carry your laptop, ways to make your studying environment more ergonomic, and which gadgets to toss in your new Fall bag, so here's a simple and cheap way to keep your dorm nice and neat.

From Ikea (one of my favorite places to shop, by the way), this PS Laptop Workstation ($60) allows you to get your term paper written without having to use your bed as a work station, and keeps all your desk essentials in one compact space. Plus, you can keep prying eyes away with the included lock, and since it's off the ground (attaching securely to your wall), you'll free up more floor space for that ever-important mini fridge.

Madrid-based ninetonine furniture makers cater to modern kid. Its fun, versatile designs are created from sustainable sources, using certified nontoxic lacquers. The latest addition to its line — the Deskhouse — is a drool-worthy centerpiece that can serve as a double-sided drafting table, complete with a chimney for crayon and marker storage or a playhouse. The company's unique pieces like the zebra-inspired crib, a shelf that looks like plates and spoons and a caterpillar-like stool add whimsy to wee ones' rooms. Fun comes with a price as these Spanish designs start at $355 and max at $1,500.