Personalize Writing Pens with Rubber BandsI have tons of colored rubber bands from my daughter's old loom collection. I decided to decorate my writing pens with them. They also make good grips for writing.
Uses for Binder Clips in the OfficeI love binder clips; big, small or "just right". So today, I noticed what I did in the office and decided to share.
Use Bread Tags as Cord LabelsDon't toss out bread tags! They can be used as a way to organize and keep your cords labeled and clear. No more digging around to figure out which wire goes to what.
Basket Drawer to Hide Office SuppliesI recently raised my computer up with some jar lids. Today, I reconfigured the desk so I didn't have to sit forward and look to the left at the laptop. Doing that made me use the box I had the laptop on under the scanner.
Organize Desk Drawer with Flatware TrayFor only $2, I was able to organize my desk drawer neatly with some extra room on the side to spare. I purchased this sturdy white plastic flatware tray from IKEA. This would work for a craft or make up drawer too!
Label Office Stuff with Your NameAvoid losing your office supplies and tools by putting labels on them. It is an inevitable situation where you or your office mate tend to forget who actually owns the said stuff.
Keep Wires Tidy With Hair ClipsUse claw hair clips to keep wires and leads tidy when not in use. The handy thing about these clips is that they come in different sizes, which suit different thicknesses of wire.
Command Hooks On Your LaptopAt the end of every day, I pull out the cable from the laptop then try to find somewhere to keep it until the next day. After I put the two self-adhesive-backed hooks next to each other on the left-hand corner of the closed lid, now this simply and safely stores the laptop cable and my glasses.
Paper Clip Tape MarkerFinding the end of a roll of tape sometimes would consume too much of your time. I have tried folding the end so that it won't stick back as you roll it, but still forget to do that after using the tape. So, I searched on Google and found this very quick and easy way to mark it.
Color Coordinate Pencils with Nail StickersI use these little nail stickers all the time, they are just $3.00 at the Dollar General where I live. There are always a few left over that I don't use. These go on the pencils I use to identify which are mine. They match my nails which is a brings me a smile. Plus, I can tell if anyone forgot to return one to me.
Customizing a Pen CupI love sunflowers. I found a really cute cup to put my pens and scissors in on my desk. When I got it home, they all fell in too far for me to see. So, I found a little cosmetic jar that dropped right in and didn't tip.
Calendar Desk from Board and BookMy computer desk is not all that big, just 6 feet. I live by my calendar now that I am doing more fundraisers and such. It was by the keyboard and I always had to write on it sideways, or try and scooch my body and chair on the carpeting just to get 12 inches closer.
Cereal Box Pencil HolderHere is what I do with some of my extra cereal boxes, and the end of the duct tape roll that has no adhesive on it. I join them to make pencil boxes for the table.
Use Plate Holder For iPadI use a plate holder on my desk to put my iPad in. It keeps it out of the way and I can charge it at the same time. A plate holder also works for organizing papers and holding mail I need to take care of.
Organizing Desk with Toothbrush HoldersI find some really cute toothbrush holders at thrift stores, yard sales, etc. I then use them at my desk to hold ink pens, markers, small scissors, etc.
Glass Frog Pencil HolderI have several of these glass flower frogs that I picked up at garage sales and thrift stores. I use them to hold pens and pencils on my desk.
Storing USB and Computer CablesI always had cable cords draped over a door knob by my computer. It looked unsightly so I put a hook, large enough to hold my 4 cords, in the closet which houses my computer/desk.
Use a Dish Drainer to Organize Your DeskDish drainers are cheap nowadays and can be bought at the dollar store. You can use them to organize your desk and kids books in their rooms. Some drainers even have silverware holders to hold your pens and pencils. I thought this was a cool idea!
Clip to Hold Your Cords in PlaceI love the heavy duty clips to hold your cords in place. As long as you have a 'lip' that you can clip them to, they are great to use to thread your phone cords or other cords through.
Free Desk Drawer OrganizerThe plastic trays that come in frozen dinners make great organizers for your desk drawer. The compartments are perfect for paperclips, rubber bands, and the like, and they are free.
Preventing Tangled CordsI found a great tip to keep computer cords or any cords organized. Hook a bread tag to each cord and label what cord it is. This will keep you out of a tangled mess of all those computer cords we have!
Home Office TipsMy desk is against one wall. I have a computer and printer on it. I have velcro strips holding all the cords together with the name of each cord written on it with black felt marker.
Desk in a Small SpaceI have a small living room in a one-bedroom apartment so I set aside one corner of it for my computer station. I have a small shelf in back of me against the wall, then my desk with my filing cabinet on the side of it.
Organize Return Address Labels And PostageI was constantly receiving free return address labels in the mail. I hated throwing them out and the supply kept increasing. I found a good way to keep them organized and easy to see when I need them.
Binder Clip to Contain CordsI am constantly taking photos, especially with this wonderful site! I leave my USB plugged into the computer then plug the camera end into the camera when I need it. Due to lack of space, I have to have my tower on the floor.
Use Small Boxes To Organize DrawersI ask my co-workers to save empty office stationery and check boxes for me. I use them to organize my drawers and cabinets. They slide in and out easily and make organizing inexpensive.
Store Garbage and Shredder Under DeskAll these posts about recycling and green living got me all riled up. My husband and I live in a small condo and our computer desk is in the corner of the living room. Up until this morning, I had a tall kitchen can in my living room near my computer desk.
Store Shredder in Picnic BasketIn the past I had trouble shredding my documents because my shredder was not in a handy place. I grabbed an old picnic basket and put the shredder inside, closed the lid, and ran the electrical cord through an existing hole in the weave.
Create a Computer Troubleshooting BinderI love my computer but must admit that I'm not savvy on it at all. I am forever coming across a problem that I don't know how to fix and having to call HP, AOL or somebody to help me.
Use Toothpick to Mark End of TapeNeed help finding the end of packaging/scotch tape? Place a toothpick under the end. It will be easy to remove and replace with no tape wasted.
Under Shelf Placemat Holder for Keyboard TraySometimes I like to stow away my keyboard so that I can use my desktop surface for something else. It's generally not a great idea to put things on top of a closed laptop, which is what I had been doing.
Organizing a Computer AreaWhen we set up the computer in our spare bedroom, I needed an area to show pictures, messages, and reminders. I hung a bulletin board on the wall behind the monitor so I could hang things to catch my attention.
Use Cutlery Tray for Desk Drawer OrganizerEver wondered what other uses cutlery trays have? I cheaply sourced one at a garage sale recently with an extra sliding top tray which lifts off. I ended up using it to store/organize stationary bits and pieces in a drawer in our computer room.
Use Colored Price Stickers to Mark Accessory CordsI found an inexpensive way to mark the multitude of wires behind my computer. I had read about using colored tape at each end of the cords, to trace which plug belongs to which accessory (printer, modem, etc) but I didn't want to go out and buy several different colors of tape.
Keep Pencils from Rolling Off Your DeskI like to put a rubber band on the tips of my pencils, right under the eraser to keep them from rolling off the table or desk. The same works for pens, too.
Recycled Rubberband KeeperRubberband Keeper AKA Mini hanger for socks. The rubber bands will all be kept on the area where the socks hung. Take a rubber band, slip knot around the end that kept the socks from sliding off.
Use Hair Bands to Secure Electrical CordsWrap up excess electrical cord and use a hair band (thread covered rubber band) to keep in place. It keeps it neat and out of the way.
Keeping Pencil Holder from Breaking PencilsIf you get tired of pencil tips breaking and ink pen tips getting messed up in your pencil holder, try this: get a cheap cleaning sponge from the dollar store and cut it to fit in the bottom of your pencil holder
Organizing EmailI treat email just like a paper file. I don't like to let email pile up in my inbox just like I don't like paper piling up on my desk. I make sure I file all email into one of the folders I have created.
Make A Cool Desk BlotterI have a new "antique" desk with leather inlay on the top. However, I didn't want to scratch it. I also didn't wish to cover it with a traditional or plain desk blotter.
Mini Bulletin BoardI added a "mini" bulletin board above my computer screen. To make the small bulletin board, I covered a long strip of scrap foam with fabric using my glue gun.
Placemat Instead of a Mouse PadHere is a great tip to keep your computer keyboard area clean and tidy and save money too. Instead of wasting money on a mouse pad, go to the dollar store or somewhere you like, pick up one vinyl placemat and your mouse will still work out just great.
Office Storage ContainersYou can make attractive office storage containers. Trim sturdy boxes to size and cover with a wallpaper border of library books. Makes your office area look neat and tidy and is great storage!
By Syd
Floppy Disk OrganizationIf you are still using floppys like I am and store them in a floppy box, you can't see what's on the floppy unless you take it out of the box. Using a black Sharpie, write on the metal edge.
Store Addresses On The ComputerFor a fast, easy access to addresses, I keep an address book file on my home computer. That way, when Christmas time comes around or for birthdays, announcements, and such, it is there with just a click of the mouse.
Keep Good Records And Save ReceiptsTo keep all your records and receipts buy a good 4 drawer filing cabinet at a yard sale or thrift shop. This saves me a lot of time. When the IRS audited me, for 2 years back, I pulled out my bank file from 2 years ago.
Keep Glue Sticks HandyI keep a glue stick in my desk drawer for sealing envelopes that have lost their stickiness, stamps that have been taken off something I decided not to send, etc. They are so cheap I can keep one everywhere I might need one.
By Linda
Use a Toilet Paper Roll to Organize Messy WiresI recently rearranged my office, leaving a mess of exposed wires of all kinds. I covered a toilet tissue roll with wrapping paper, then wrapped all the wires into a hank and tucked them inside the roll.
