How to Organize Office Supplies Without a Desk

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References

You don’t need a desk to keep all your office supplies organized! Just get rid of unnecessary things, be creative with what space you have, and sort through the paperwork you probably have stacked up. Then you'll be able to find what you need exactly when you need it, no matter what you’re working on.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Reducing Clutter

1
Donate items you don’t need. You might be surprised at how many office supplies you have! Sort everything into piles, separating out what you want to keep and what you can get rid of. Take extra pads of paper or pencils to your local thrift store or veteran organization. ^{[1]
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Research source}Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, and other nonprofit organizations generally accept unused or lightly used office supplies. ^{[2]
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- Be sure to check each location’s website for a list of what they are looking for. You can also call if the website doesn’t offer information on specific donations.
- Alternatively, take office supplies in good condition to a nearby school. Teachers and students would welcome the additional items.
- Larger equipment like computers, printers, and scanners can also be donated to thrift stores. They’re useful tools that can be sold at a low price.
2
Store supplies you don’t use often. You don’t need uncommon supplies sitting out for everyone to see, so find a way to store these things.
- A plastic bin stored in the basement or under the bed, easily accessible but out of the way, would be perfect.
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3
Recycle unneeded papers/paperwork. Look through all those bits of paper hanging around. Purge used scratch paper, out-of-date notes, and whatever else you don’t need any more.
- Be sure to shred documents containing sensitive information before recycling.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Making the Most of Organization Tools

1
Fill a filing cabinet. These are traditionally used for paper files, but that’s so boring! A filing cabinet can hold your notebooks or other flat items, or anything else you have lying around.
- Take a tabletop desk organizer and place it into a cabinet drawer to hide all your supplies away.
- Metal sides can be used to hang notecards or papers or those fun pencil holders meant for the inside of school lockers.
2
Use glass jars to hold small supplies. Designate each one for a certain supply and then store all on a shelf. Feel free to decorate them with labels, paint, or ribbon.
- Flip the jars on their sides and attach them to the wall or a sturdy piece of furniture for creative cubbies!
- Make a magnetic strip and keep them on the bottom of shelves.
3
Keep items in a supply caddy. If you don’t have that many office supplies, put them in a supply caddy and keep it stored away when not in use. Retrieve the caddy when working on a project, and then return it when you’re finished. Simple as that!
4
Put things back where they belong. When things don’t have a home, it’s easy for mess to return. You don’t have to go crazy with this or put tape outlines on shelves, but knowing generally where an item should go when you’re finished with it will keep things organized for longer.^{[3]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Utilizing Wall Space

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Use shelves. Going vertical can reduce clutter in a room and free up needed floor space. ^{[4]
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Research source} Invest in a bookshelf if you want your things to be seen, or a few open shelving units. Shelves are a breeze to organize, simple to clean, and things stored on them are easy to reach.
2
Use hanging organization systems. If you’re renting a space or just don’t want holes in your wall, look for lighter all-in-one filing systems that can hang from or lean against the wall. They come in many different styles can fit into most budgets.
- Tall units offer smart storage for papers, documents, printer paper, and notepads. These lie flat against the wall and have slots that look like mail sorters.
- Some have many compartments, which can replace a traditional desk organizer. With something like this you can effectively store all those little items that would usually sit out on a desk.
- An over-the-door hanger would also be a great option.
3
Hang things from hooks. The simple metal hooks most people use by the front door can also be used in your workspace. Hang a basket for all your pens, or loft an organization kit typically meant for a flat surface. There is literally no limit to what you can dangle, so get creative.
4
Put up calendars and whiteboards. No need to waste surface space with those tear-off day calendars. Having a calendar fosters an organized environment, and magnetic whiteboards are nice because you can use hang notes and other papers.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Archiving Important Paperwork

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Make digital copes of documents. Paper can get damaged or lost, so it’s a good idea to save everything digitally. Keep all your files without the bulk! You can do this yourself with a scanner, or you can send your papers to an outside company. ^{[5]
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- Computers are not infallible, so have a plan if yours were to crash. External hard-drives can store masses of information, and some computers have programs to back up your computer.
2
Use binders to store paperwork. Buy appropriately sized binders for the amount of paper you want to store, then sort by topic.
- Medical Binder: Keep together your family’s insurance information, medical and dental records, and allergy information.
- Auto Binder: This can be for automotive repair records, maintenance history, and insurance information.
- Home Binder: This encompasses maintenance receipts, pest control, security system, and contact information for handymen or landscapers.
- Pet Binder: Don’t forget your pet! Vaccination records, adoption papers, and pedigree information, should all be kept in one place.
3
Store binders in a safe, dry location. Store them on a shelf or in a filing cabinet. With proper labeling, you will be able to retrieve information easily and quickly.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I organize my office supplies?

Keith Bartolomei
Professional Organizer & Certified KonMari Consultant
Keith Bartolomei is a Professional Organizer who runs his own consulting business called Zen Habitat based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Keith is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), and is a Certified KonMari Consultant. He has over six years of organizational experience and has been trained in the art of tidying, including being trained by author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo, and her team. He has been voted as one of the Best Home Organizers in San Francisco by Expertise in 2018 and 2019.

Keith Bartolomei

Professional Organizer & Certified KonMari Consultant

Expert Answer

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Make your items easy to put away rather than easy to access. The harder it is to put away your office supplies, the less likely you are to put them away where they belong. You'll end up with a cluttered work area and desk that may diminish your potential to be more productive.