When you look at the pictures in this post, always keep in mind that I didn't build these out of nothing.
It was a long process that took many iterations to get to an almost perfect desk.
The best way to a perfect desk is to make small improvements whenever you can/have time. This will have the smallest impact on your workflow but still will help a lot with your upgrades.
Things that will help you keep your desk clutter-free
If it was easy to clean up a desk you got used to, everybody would have a clean one. But it takes a bit of money and some things you probably don't have yet.
- Storage unit (Alex/Drawer)
- Cable Ties/Zip Ties
- Monitor arm/Monitor raiser
- Wireless Keyboard/Mouse
- USB-Hubs
- Docking station
Apps can help too. If you use something like the freelancingtoolkit, you can write notes there instead of keeping paper and pencils on your desk.
How to achieve a clutter-free desk
Don't try to do everything at once. Start small. Make one little change. Then another. Build on it over time when you have the time and money to do so.
First Step
Your first step should be to remove everything that is not needed all the time for your work. For example, you might have a notebook and pencils where you write down important stuff during a call but you only have 1-2 calls a day when you actually need it. What you do is you put it in the top drawer of your storage unit. If you don't have one, go get one that you can put underneath your desk.
The rule is simple: if you don't use it every single hour, it does not belong on the desk.
Second Step: Get Rid of Cables
Cables are the biggest mess on most desks. Even just three or four cables can make your desk look chaotic. The fix is cheap and easy: zip ties.
Bundle cables that go the same way together. Then get them off the desk. You can stick a small cable tray under the desk to hide them. Put your power strip under the desk too. Out of sight, out of mind.
You don't need a perfect setup right away. Just grab some zip ties and bundle what you have. That alone will make your desk look way cleaner. And it costs almost nothing.
Third Step: Go Wireless
The best cable is no cable at all. A wireless keyboard and mouse get rid of two cables right away. It sounds small but it makes a big difference when you look at your desk.
If you have a wired headset, a wireless one is a good next step too. Every cable you remove is one less thing to deal with.
Fourth Step: Lift Your Monitor
The stand your monitor came with takes up a lot of space on your desk. A monitor arm fixes that. It clamps to the edge of your desk and holds the monitor in the air. All that space underneath is now free.
Monitor arms also let you move the screen to the right height for your eyes and neck. That's better for your health too. It's a win all around.
A monitor arm is probably the best upgrade you can make. It saves space, looks great, and is better for your body. If you only buy one thing from this list, make it this one.
Fifth Step: One Cable for Everything
A docking station lets you plug one cable into your laptop, and everything else just works. Monitor, mouse, keyboard, internet, charger - all connected through one little box.
If a docking station is too much, a USB hub is a good start. The idea is the same: put all the messy connections in one hidden spot and keep your desk clean.
The Step That Never Stops: Make It a Habit
All of this only works if you keep it up. At the end of each day, take one minute to put things back. Notebook in the drawer. Cup in the kitchen. That's it.
It's not about the gear. It's about the habit. The gear just makes the habit easier to keep.
A clean desk is not something you do once. It's something you choose every day in about 60 seconds. Build that habit and your desk will stay clean on its own.