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DIY Desk Organizer Ideas to Clear the Clutter

Clear the clutter with one of these desk organizer ideas! Make an easy DIY desk organizer for your home office, playroom, kids’ homeschool station, or craft room.

diy desk organizer projects

Crafting the perfect workspace is more than just a matter of aesthetics; it’s about curating an environment that sparks creativity and boosts productivity. But let’s face it, the journey from chaos to organized bliss often feels overwhelming, especially for those of us who might not naturally have the ‘organizing gene.’

I’ve always admired those beautifully curated desks and workspaces, wondering how they keep everything so neat and within reach. That’s why I’ve embarked on a quest to transform my own cluttered desk into a haven of order and inspiration.

Enter the world of DIY desk organizer ideas. I’ve scoured the digital universe, tapping into the collective genius of crafters, organizers, and DIY aficionados to bring you not just one or two, but over 20 ingenious solutions to tame your desk’s wild ways.

From chic, minimal designs that cater to the aesthetically inclined, to practical, space-saving wonders that make every inch count, this collection is a treasure trove of creativity.

And the best part? These DIY desk organizers are as versatile as they come. Whether you’re sprucing up a home office, adding a touch of order to your craft room, or setting up a functional and inviting homeschool area for your kids, there’s something here for everyone.

Imagine transforming recycled materials into a stylish organizer, building a bespoke piece from scratch, or repurposing an existing item into something uniquely useful. The possibilities are as endless as they are exciting.

But this is more than just a compilation of projects; it’s an invitation to embark on a journey of creative exploration. Each idea offers a unique blend of functionality and style, promising not only to declutter your space but also to infuse it with personality and charm.

And with options that cater to all skill levels and budgets, you’re sure to find the perfect project to kickstart your organizational overhaul.

So, as you scroll this curated collection of DIY desk organizer ideas, I encourage you to let your imagination run wild. Think of your desk not just as a place of work, but as a canvas for your creativity.

Whether you’re drawn to the simplicity of using recycled supplies or the satisfaction of building something from scratch, each project is a step towards creating a workspace that not only looks great but feels uniquely yours.

Join me in discovering which of these over 20 DIY desk organizers will transform your work area from a cluttered catch-all to an organized oasis. And don’t forget to share your favorite finds in the comments below – after all, the journey to organization is always better when shared.

1
Plywood Mountains Desk Organizer
Ohoh Blog

Plywood Mountain

Turn a piece of plywood into an organizer that doubles as a piece of art! To make your cute mountains desk organizer, you will need plywood, wooden glue, acrylic paint, sanding paper, a jigsaw or a handsaw, and clamps.
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2
cravingsomecreativity.com

Pegboard Organizer

Pegboards aren't just for garages! With all of the different containers you can hang from them, they are great for organizing an office desk.
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3
Chelsea Costa

Mismatched & Monochromatic Jars

Pick your favorite containers of various sizes and shapes (like mason jars and tin cans), then bring them together with spray paint and embellishments.
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4
clay marbled organizer
lovelyindeed.com

Marbled Clay

I love the colors and marbled look of this organizer! The marbling is easy since she used clay to make this. The clay is really nice to work with because you can customize it exactly as you like. Nice, right?
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5
Cardboard Catchall
Erin Loechner

Cardboard Catchall

I love this cardboard organizer because it’s easy to make, simple and matches with everything. If you're looking for a simple desk organizers DIY, this should fit the bill.
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6
kenarry.com

Drawer Organizer

This post is about organizing a desk drawer for planner supplies. However, you could use this DIY for anything you want in the desk drawers.
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7
Steve Carrell

Paper Tubes

Use cereal boxes and paper towel or toilet paper tubes along with scrapbook paper and Mod Podge to make this bright and cheerful organizer.
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8
thehandymansdaughter.com

Adjustable Desktop Shelves

My friend Stacey just bought one of these on Amazon and it doesn't even look half as good (and sturdy) as this DIY one. I love how versatile it is.
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9
Poplar desk organizer
Sarah Fogle

Poplar Storage

Sarah used poplar for the outside of this organizer and some scrap plywood for the rest. Total cost for her to make this storage ideas? $12!
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10
Chair Organizer
sustainmycrafthabit.com

Chair Organizer

No desk drawers? No problem with this DIY sewing project. Supplies, notes, and papers can be neatly stored in this chair organizer – perfect if you don't really have a desk, but just use a random table and need to clear it off on occasion.
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11
Stephen Cridland

Can Pyramid

Within less than an hour, what started out as canned dog food became a clever desk organizer! Stack up empty tin cans to create a useful DIY desk storage pyramid on a budget.
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12
DIY Painted Boxes
www.frugalcouponliving.com

Painted Boxes

Cheap wood boxes can help you get organized, but don't they look way better with a little paint? This is perfect for organizing both work and school supplies.
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13
www.southernrevivals.com

No. 2 Pencil

This super cool jumbo pencil organizer is made from one piece of plywood. I like that it is thin so it doesn't take up too much space on the desk.
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14
masonjarcraftslove.com

Composition Book Mason Jars

These organizers would go nicely with the jumbo pencil above! It is amazing what you can do with a little paint. Didn't these turn out great?
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15
lovelyindeed.com

Colorful Geometric

Colorful storage ideas help me stay upbeat when working. You can't look at this and not smile! I love that when not holding any papers, it almost looks like a sculptural art piece, but is totally functional for corralling all those papers on your desk.
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16
PVC pipe desk organizer
designsbystudioc.com

PVC Pipes

For less than $10.00 including paint, you can make desk organizing cups with PVC in whatever color you want to match your decor. Plus the number of cubbies are entirely up to you!
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17
Wall Organizer and Charging Station
iheartorganizing.com

Wall Organizer and Charging Station

Jen made these two desk organizing projects for her little closet nook study area. They are so easy – I especially love the charging station paper tray!
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18
diy trivet pencil holder
Erin Loechner

Cork Trivets

This brilliant organizer was made using trivets from IKEA and a drill – and doubles as a corkboard that you can pin small messages to.
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19
thestonybrookhouse.com

Mail Organizer

My mail current sits in a laundry bin – but I’d love a recycled DIY organizer like this one to keep it all together.
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20
copper and denim craft caddy
www.pillarboxblue.com

Recycled Caddy

Although this is made to be a craft organizer, this would look great on a desk with the copper and denim. It's not just the jeans that are recycled, it's the cans and wood too!
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21
3 in 1 laptop desk organizer
www.instructables.com

3-in-1 Desktop Organizer

The top of your desk is precious space that is usually taken up with your laptop. Build this organizer and you get 3 uses in one space: laptop stand, organizer drawer and docking station!
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22
DIY bookends with organizers
www.vikalpah.com

Bookends

These bookends would be great on a desk or on shelves above a desk. Just put all of your office supplies in the little bins! (Check out more DIY bookends).
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23
DIY pegboard letters for office organization
lovelyindeed.com

Pegboard Words

Create these unique pegboard letters for a cute way to organize desk supplies! This would be great for dorm organization.
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I hope you enjoyed these DIY desk organizer ideas! Let me know what you thought in the comments. And If you want more organization posts, check out these articles:

Cord OrganizersCraft SuppliesDIY Wall OrganizerOrganizing Jewelry SuppliesRing Holders

Mohamed Hashi

Tuesday 19th of December 2023

Fantastic article, Amy! The range of DIY desk organizer ideas you've compiled is both inspiring and practical. I love how these projects cater to different skill levels and styles, from simple repurposing to more intricate crafting. The plywood mountain and PVC pipes organizers particularly caught my eye for their uniqueness and functionality. I appreciate the diversity of materials used, proving that great organization can be both affordable and stylish. Thanks for sharing these wonderful ideas!

Denuli Gomis

Tuesday 10th of January 2023

Very neatly prepared with clear pictures....really appreciate all the work!