So you've found the perfect wallpaper and screen saver, matching all your desktop decor to your real decor. You've even installed a pretty handy desktop calendar. But all your efforts are in vain if you've got a messy application dock. Use a dummy app to keep organized.

If you need some kind of divider between applications in your dock, take a cue from one Lifehacker reader and create simple dummy icons.

By changing a useless .txt file to a .exe, you've given yourself an even more useless file—but a useless file that you can create a shortcut to. Now all you've got to do is add a custom icon and drag it to your dock or taskbar. Easy!

We dig the simple graphic cogwheels that are in this pic, but this simple tweak allows you to go completely custom. Make a different icon and dummy file for each "section" of your dock, or go with efficient minimalism with a simple bullet—matched with your wallpaper, screen saver and throw pillows, right?

Via Lifehacker

(Image: Flickr user Sonic Julez under license from Creative Commons.)