Stock your desk with these essential tools and supplies to make working simpler and easier!
Your Favorite Writing Instrument
Do you have a favorite pen, pencil, or fountain pen? Make a home for it on your desk. Always put it back in its home when you’re done with it, and it’ll never get lost! (Pro tip: that’s true with all of your belongings.)
Keeping track of one pen or pencil is easier than keeping track of a bunch. That’s the secret of minimalism and sustainability! Living simply with fewer possessions lets you have favorites, and choose higher-quality things that will last longer.
I love a good rollerball pen like these from Uni-Ball! Or, if you want to totally splurge on your one-and-only work pen, Montblancs exist, too.
A Printer/Scanner
It usually makes sense to put your printer/scanner on the dominant hand side of the desk. It’s easier to operate that way and if you have it just in reach, you still have space for project items in front of you. It’s okay to place it slightly out of reach so that it gives you a break from sitting.
Good Lighting
Light might not seem like “tools and supplies,” but it sure changes how you feel while working! Natural light is always best, but it isn’t always possible to arrange your desk to take advantage of natural light, and let’s face it, sometimes we work when it’s not light outside anyway! Lighting professionals recommend having a general overhead source of light, supplemented with a desk light to provide task lighting–a closer, focused light that you can shine directly on what you’re doing.
The best position for the task lighting is usually on your non-dominant side, to avoid shadows cast by your hand while you are writing. Also consider having color control with your lighting to allow you to adjust your lighting according to your task needs. Adding warm colors to your lighting setup gives your eyes a break, especially if you happen to have fluorescent lighting overhead.
A Charging Station
Place your chargers on or near your desk so you can charge when necessary. Sprinting to finish a project before your laptop shuts off, or dropping a call when your phone goes dead, are stress you just don’t need to put up with!
Keep wires on your desk as short as possible to avoid tangling, and use cable management tools like velcro wraps, cable sleeves, and cable clips to keep cords under control. No desk spaghetti! Except when it’s for lunch.
A Place for Files
Some estimates say that Americans spend about 45 minutes a day looking for things, so set up your filing system, whether it’s paper, digital, or both. Develop a naming convention for your files that you communicate to everyone who uses the system. Remember, your system is only as good as the retrieval time. It should take 30 seconds or less to find what you’re looking for! For more information, check out my past posts on paper filing and digital filing!
Office Supplies
Stock your desk with whatever you need to complete your work. Keep office supplies that you use frequently near to you, and keep supplies you use occasionally elsewhere so they’re not in the way. Again, think of having to get up out of your chair or move from your desk as a mini-break to get moving!
It’s also a good idea to keep excess supplies out of the way. You may have six reams of printer paper, but they don’t all need to go right next to the printer. It’s okay to keep backup supplies in a drawer or closet elsewhere, where you can go to restock when you run low. Keeping a smaller amount of what you need gives you more space overall!
What tools and supplies are on your desk now? Did I miss a favorite of yours? Tell me in the comments!
I have issues with fluorescent lighting in my office, so I mounted a flat sheet to the drop ceiling to block the fluorescent lights so it would filter the light where I worked. My eyes are less tired because of this little inexpensive change.
I have used fluorescent light filters, too! They can really change the whole mood of a room.
That’s a great tip about task lighting on your non-dominant side so you don’t cast a shadow. Most of my writing is on my screen these days, so I like not having too much lighting that would put a glare on my screen.
I’m actually sitting in a new space right now, trying it out for my daughter who will start using it soon. So far’s it seems pretty great!
I do have a favorite pen. It is a BIC Soft Feel, medium. I like it because it isn’t too big for my hand, and because it fits into the pen holder on the side of my planner. The bigger ones often don’t fit. I always returned it to my planner, but I did notice that it still disappeared. Come to find out family members tended to walk off with it. So, I bought a large box so I always have a backup LOL!
That’s smart, Seana! No matter how well WE stick to our organization, family and friends will be an x-factor. : )
Is an an organizer thing? I LOVE office and desk supplies! And I definitely have my favorite pens. For writing I like the Pilot V Razor Point extra fine pen. It’s a felt tip and super flowy on the paper. My favorite writing pad is made by Levenger’s and has a smooth writing surface. It pairs beautifully with the pen I mentioned. As you suggested, the essentials (stapler, tape, scissors, sticky notes, glue stick, Sharpies are all close by. But the extras are stored nearby. They don’t need to be out all of the time.
I’m loving all the favorite pen shout-outs in these comments! I’m going to have to try that Pilot.
Great post, and I love that you referenced the ergonomically importance of lighting. In my favorite pen, which I’ve been using for 30 years is the Pentel Energel. One stays in the loop in my planner, and one stays on the riser for my computer. I never have to search.
Love it, Julie. Sounds like I have a few new pens to try out!