Is your desk a hot mess at work? What about your home work area? No judgement here! My recent office makeover revealed a lot about my crazy desk area. So this post shares cute yet functional teacher desk organization accessories and ideas to help you get your work space in tip-top shape!
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Desk Organization for Teachers
Whether you have a huge desk or tiny one, your work area can have a pretty big impact on your efficiency.
A desk pilled high with supplies and paperwork not only slows you down, but also increases your stress level.
So, before we dig into accessories for organizing, be sure to commit these actions first:
- throw away old papers and things you don’t need
- pair down your supplies to only a handful of each (trust me, you don’t all 5,000 of those tiny paperclips!)
- create a separate area for student papers
Seems simple enough, right?! If you are still struggling with these basics, I have another blog post that will help you once you finish enjoying this one.
Here you go teacher friend:
Now that we’ve covered some decluttering essentials, let’s dig into these super cute organization accessories for your teacher desk.
Teacher Desktop Organizers for Supplies
Let’s address the supplies we teachers use daily in our classrooms: paper clips, writing utensils, sticky notes, etc.
These items need a home that make them easy to grab aka functional, but also easy on the eyes (CUTE). 😍
For most desktop organizers, I love acrylic and clear accessories.
To me, acrylic items make the best teacher desk organizers because they don’t clash with any color scheme and you can quickly see what you need.
Here’s what I use for my supplies:
Stackable Acrylic Tape Holders
I use a lot of washi tape in my teacher lesson planners.
Washi tape also comes in handy when I want to jazz up a student or teacher note. These stackable tape holders keep ANY type of tape neatly organized.
My favorite part about these tape holders is that they let you take advantage of vertical space, which frees up more desk surface area.
Plus, they hold up to 5 rolls of standard-sized tape.
Colorblends Desk Organization Set
I know I just finished bragging about acrylic accessories, but every now and then you need a nice pop of color. ❤️💛💙
Or in this case, a beautiful gradient blend of colors!
The full Colorblends set has one of each:
- magazine tray (which I use to hold papers, stickers, and planner covers)
- letter sorter (that holds my Sharpies and dry erase markers)
- magazine file (this holds folders for me)
- pen cup (shown in the picture holding my writing utensils)
I use this full set to keep my teacher desk looking organized, but also beautiful.
My YouTube channel has this video showcasing the full collection of items with my initial thoughts as I take each one out of the box for the first time.
Acrylic Desk Organizer for Writing Utensils
Now back to the see-through items! You probably have lots of markers, pens, crayons, glue sticks, dry erase markers, highlighters, and pencils.
Instead of throwing all of them in your desk drawer and having a messy pile of writing utensils, use a stylish clear holder with sections for each item.
It makes me feel such a sigh of relief to return to my teacher table area with all my pens and markers neatly organized!
Since the unit is clear, all my brightly colored markers look even prettier on my table.
Not only do I use the writing utensils holder, but I paired mine with acrylic bookends to have even more organization storage for my work area.
Organizer Bookends with Pen Cup Holder
As you can see from the previous picture, the bookends come with 4 slots that hold random papers, sticky notes, and my notepads.
But it also comes with 3 wide cup holders for my scissors, random writing utensils, and my staple remover.
These are things that I need and use often when I’m lesson planning or grading papers. It really helps to have them neatly arranged in front of me as I work.
Hopefully these desk supply holders give you some inspiration and ideas for getting your teacher desk organized.
But not everyone loves the see-through look!
Let’s explore storage ideas that help hide clutter. 😉
Multi-Functional Desk Organization for Teachers
When you think about all the items teachers keep up with daily, keeping your work area organized can be daunting!
In this section, I want to introduce you to some teacher desk storage accessories that allow you to organize anything–with hidden storage.
Yes, even that secret stash of chocolates. 🍫
Carrying File Folder Tote
Don’t let the name fool you into thinking this is just for papers.
This gorgeous file folder does keep documents well arranged, but I’ve also used it for:
- random knickknacks like sticky notes, bookmarks, student artwork
- teacher planner interchangeable covers
- the plastic for my small laminating machine
- card stock paper
- lightweight craft and art supplies
- small leveled readers that I use for literacy centers
As you can see, this is more than just a “file folder.” It can serve more-than-one purpose EXCEPT direct student use!
🛑 Even though it’s sturdy enough for YOU to place items in and out of it, I would NOT recommend allowing students to use it.
The inside slots are made out of thick cardboard and the strap is vegan leather. I noticed, even with my 13-year-old son, that kids just seem rougher with things. 🙃
There are better ways to organize student center supplies they will access directly each day.
Desktop Drawers Storage Box
Can I just say love at first sight when I saw this box? 🥰
If you are an organization aficionado, then maybe you understand that feeling!
Even with all my acrylic desk organizers, I still needed a space to keep random items neat.
Some of these random items were all the extras we like to keep on hand:
- bulk supply of staples
- white out
- letter opener (I never feel comfortable leaving sharp objects out where students can grab them!)
- my keys
- teacher name badge
- remote control for my projector
You get my drift here right?
This storage box doesn’t take up too much space, so it fits just right on my side shelf.
It also has longer flat drawers to hold a couple my teacher record book and softbound planner.
You don’t have to be a teacher to enjoy this beauty; it would make a beautiful gift for an office secretary OR for use at home!
Not Everything Is Perfect!
My biggest complaint with both the file folder accordion and the desktop drawers is the cardboard material they are made out of.
Even though they are very think cardboard, this is still not a material I would want to get wet.
But these days, I feel better having all my surfaces wiped down with Lysol or Clorox wipes on a regular basis.
Which is another strong reason why I don’t recommend using these as organization options that students will touch / use.
Large Organizer Caddy
Last, but not least for the multi-functional options is this thick caddy.
Here’s for my always-on-the-go teacher friends!
This bad boy has 8 compartments of different sizes that work for art supplies, guided reading or small group math knickknacks, etc.
Three of the dividers are removable, so you can customize the space for some sections.
If you travel from one classroom to another, this works great for that. One of the compartments is wide enough to hold water bottles or a different cup with a drink of your choice.
Unlike the other multi-functional options above, this one doesn’t have a lid or top that allows items to be completely hidden.
It also is made out of a different material: a thick plastic that can be easily sanitized. YAY! 👏🏾
My only complaint is that it doesn’t come in any other color or design. So, if you don’t mind the purple look, then this organizer will keep your space tidy.
More Teacher Desk Organization Accessories For You
So far, all of the ideas shared allow you to store supplies in and around your desk area.
But you may need organization options to go beyond office-type supplies.
The accessories shown in this final section keep other areas of your teacher-life looking good.
Planner Stand for Your Teacher Lesson Planner
I don’t know what I would do without my planner stand!
It’s hard for me to imagine what I did with my planner before I got this beauty.
No matter where you like to keep your lesson planner, this stand is cute and functional.
But it could also hold other books and papers upright, so you don’t have to only use it for your planners or notebooks.
Gold Triangle Paper Organizer
I know I’ve already shared a few ideas for organizing papers, but this one is just too cute to leave out.
For everyday paperwork that you need within quick reach, this triangle paper sorter does the job.
Not only that, but the thick metal material could work at a student math center or literacy center where you have small group papers ready for them.
Your kiddos can’t break this thing! 🤞🏽
A Full Office Organization Tour
These teacher desk organization ideas work for almost any teaching area, including working from home.
If you’re a visual learner like me, you will appreciate seeing all these ideas come together as one.
My home office renovation and organization video on The Butterfly Teacher YouTube channel showcases how I put all these accessories to use.
PLUS, I include additional desk organization tips for you to enjoy. 🤗
Happy Organizing Teacher Friend!
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