5 Ways to Organize a Desk Without Drawers

In a small space, it’s hard enough to find room for a desk, let alone a big desk with drawers and tons of storage space. The good news is, you don’t need a cabinet full of drawers attached to your desk to store all your things—just use the space you do have to your advantage. These tips and tricks can help you make the most of your desk, drawers not included.

• 7 Ways to Organize a Bathroom Without a Medicine Cabinet or Drawers
• 9 Ways to Organize a Kitchen Without Many (or Any!) Cabinets

A super easy way yo add some extra space to your desk is to put your computer on a monitor stand or riser. You’ll be able to store other items underneath your computer (like the laptop in the example above—plus files, office supplies and more). You can buy one, or you can DIY one with this project from By Brittany Goldwyn.

You may not have drawer space under your desk, but with some shelves and hooks, you can still keep all your work supplies and files organized and beautifully displayed. And if you can’t install shelves, a tall organizer like the one above that uses vertical space is renter-friendly.

The side of your desk is also prime real estate for storing and organizing your things. In the project shown above from Maflingo, a wire attached to the side rim of the desk holds up plastic containers filled with pens, pencils and more. You could also attach hooks for headphones and other supplies, or put up tension rods between the desk legs to hang items.

When your only space is your desktop, things like trinket trays, magazine holders and desk supply organizers will be your BFFs. Your options are basically endless and depend on how much space you have to work with.

If you use a desktop computer with a keyboard that takes up a lot of space, or a laptop, a keyboard tray could help you take advantage of storage under your desk without taking up the space that a cabinet of drawers would. This DIY tutorial from Yellow Brick Home can help, or you can purchase one to install.