Video:Buying Guide: Desktop Organizers

Transcript:Buying Guide: Desktop Organizers

Hi I'm Erin Hoffman, Productivity Specialist and President of Optimum Productivity. I'm here for About.com to give you a buying guide for desktop organizers. 

How to Pick Out a Desktop Organizer

Desktop organizers are important to keeping your desk clutter free, allowing you space to work. There are a few important things to consider when choosing the right desktop organizer. You want it to fit your space and style and give you access to everything you need. 

Stephen Covey said “Begin with the end in mind”.  Ask yourself, what items will I need to access the most? What do I do at my desk? What items do I use most frequently? Chose an organizer that will hold all of the items you use on a regular basis.

Physical Aspects of a Desktop Organizer

Organizers are made from many materials including wood, metal, wire mesh, leather and plastic. Consider how durable the organizer needs to be. Will it need to stand up to a lot of use? If so, consider a plastic, metal or wire mesh. 

Pick something that is visually appealing. In my experience working with clients, the more you like something (functionally and visually) the more likely to use it and keep your desk organized. 

Finally, consider the size. How much space is available on your desk? Make sure the organizer you choose leaves enough clear space on your desk to work.  

Different Styles of Desktop Organizers

There are many different styles of organizers. One is the rotating organizer. This option comes in many different sizes and styles. Most have many different size bins allowing you quick access to a variety of supplies. They are a great option for storing small items like clips and pens. The rotating style makes a great use of space. One con of this type of organizer is that most do not have a space for paper or envelopes. 

Stackable, mix and match organizers are another popular option. The greatest benefit to this type of organizer is that you can mix and match the pieces to fit your particular needs. One tip to remember when picking out the components of this type of organizer is not create too much horizontal storage space (such as in baskets or paper trays). Paper and other items are more likely to pile up and get lost in baskets. Instead, look for organizers that will hold your papers vertically. This will reduce the tendency to create piles.

I hope that this gives you some helpful tips for picking out your desktop organizer. Thanks for watching to learn more, visit us on the web at About.com