Workspace of the Week: Desk drawer cleanup
This week’s Workspace of the Week is Maureen’s uncluttered desk drawer:
I am one of those odd people who could waste hours a day looking at pictures of well-organized desk drawers. They make me incredibly happy, and this one is spectacular. There is place for everything, and everything is in its place. It’s serene. Blissful. Calming.
And, what is even better, there are “before” pictures on Maureen’s blog. It’s a makeover drawer!
Thank you, Maureen, for submitting your terrific drawer to our Flickr pool.
Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.
13 comments posted
Posted by Mary C. - 05/28/2010
That does look nice! However, I would have trouble with a drawer that was packed that tightly. I have to have some space around things, or I would not be able to put them back as neatly as they were. That’s just me, though.
Posted by Kristen@TheFrugalGirl - 05/28/2010
This makes me giggle because I can often get my junk drawer to look like that when I clean/declutter it. My main problem is maintaining the orderly state. Sigh.
Of course, my 4 kids do sort of contribute to the problem by not putting things back in the right places, but I’m probably just as guilty as they are!
Posted by Aisha - 05/28/2010
I can get it to look like that. It’s *keeping* it looking like that where I fail miserably…
Posted by Lori Krolik - 05/28/2010
I LOVE the look of the drawer. However, I personally prefer the individual drawer organizers versus the ones that are one piece with pre-defined compartments as pictured above. They separate, individual organizers allow much more customization to a space. They are sold at local hardware stores, Container Store, Bed, Bath and Beyond, as well as many online sites. Great job Maureen.
Posted by Mrs. G - 05/28/2010
I’ve been meating to declutter my junk drawer for weeks. Thanks for the inspiration. I promise to do mine tomorrow.
Posted by Ronique Gibson - 05/28/2010
I think it looks great… BUT.. I think it’s overcrowded. I find when things are packed this closely, when you’re in a hurry, things get into our compartments, etc.. Solution? Maybe take some items out and put them into other types of containers outside of this space. Like the higlighters/pens could go in a cool looking holder on the desk. Items that you have an abundance of – like scotch tape. Could the surplus go in a lower drawer, or even in a storage closet somewhere? I think organizing only works if there is space to keep it organized.
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Posted by Maureen@Notes on a Visual Life - 05/28/2010
Wow, thanks for the feature!! I was wondering where all those blog hits were coming from all of a sudden! I’m so honored!
Posted by bandicoot - 05/28/2010
*clasps hands and squeals*
that is simply beautiful!
my desk drawers need a little tidy up, now that i think about it.
Posted by Elaine - 05/29/2010
I like it too, Erin. Also like perfectly ordered closets. In college I dated a guy who noticed that my closets and drawers were neater than the room itself. He was an amateur psychologist, and claimed that this meant that the “inner me” was in order, despite the apparent disorder of my exterior (I was and still am fairly disheveled-looking most of the time). I’m sure there are plenty of other people in the world who operate the same way.
Posted by Ann - 06/01/2010
Looks to me like there is just too much stuff in that drawer…scissors, highlighters….use it up and don’t buy any more!!!
Posted by Maria - 06/01/2010
I know I can’t be the only one with this problem!! So I love to keep my desk drawer nice and organized there’s a place for everything and everything is in it’s place EXCEPT–if I close the drawer too fast or if I hit against the drawer while I am working (which is often) everything shifts back. The drawer is very very deep and I don’t use it all the way to the back, the plastic organizer shifts back there and the loose items slide all over the place, it makes a mess. Any tips or tricks??
Posted by Ann - 06/02/2010
Maria – tape the organizers to the bottom or sides of the drawer if there isn’t enough “stuff” to keep them from sliding.
Posted by Joseph - 06/09/2010
I agree with Ronique. I have had a drawer organizer for close to forty years, and I have occasionally had my drawer looking just like this. But it never stays that way. In my case I really don’t have anywhere else to put all that junk, although I continue to dream of (1) just dumping the things I no longer use and (2) using my cabinetmaking skills to simply build whatever additional space I feel I need. So far though… just a dream!
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