It doesn’t take much for a desk to get overtaken by cords and papers. In no time, your catch-all corner can disappear under a combination of odds, ends and essentials, if you're not careful. Working in a space with a limited footprint, while having access to your pens, headphones and other must-haves close by, can be a recipe for these items constantly getting in your way, adding to your stress, and hampering your productivity.
I'm always on the lookout for ways to improve my limited desk space with helpful storage solutions that minimize visual clutter. Check out my favorite picks below for easy solutions to clear the clutter away and keep your essentials organized. I've mixed in budget-friendly Black Friday finds with a few pricier options that will make a big impact in your space.
1. Velcro cable ties: $14 (save $3)
I love my Velcro cable ties and have used them throughout my house to keep cable clutter down, attach power strips to a bar on my desk and more. This pack offers you 150 so you can use them to organize your whole home.
2. Joyroom magnetic cord holder clips: $8 (save $3)
Keep charging cables out of the way but at the ready for whenever you need them with these nifty magnetic clips. For less than $10, you'll get six of these magnetic cord holders -- just be sure you use the on-page coupon for the lowest price.
3. Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station: $80 (save $10)
A wireless charger, particularly a model like this that can boost the batteries on several of your tech gadgets simultaneously, is a great way to cut down on cord clutter at your workstation.
4. Vivo no-drill magnetic cord organizer: $15 (save $10)
This 13.8-inch steel cable channel attaches magnetically to compatible desk legs, routing your cords to the same place and reducing wire clutter.
5. Anker Laptop docking station: $200
Upgrading to a USB-C docking station can significantly reduce the cable clutter on your desk. This 13-in-1 model can help you add external monitors, a keyboard, speakers and more.
6. Twelve South Backpack Shelf for Apple Studio Display: $20
This hidden storage shelf provides extra storage space for your essentials, keeping your desk clean. At just $20, it's a great bargain.
7. Elevation Lab The Anchor headphone mount: $15
Don't overlook underused spaces for storage solutions. This under-desk headphone holder adheres to the underside of your desk, allowing you to stash your headphones out of sight until you need them. Plus, it can hold two pairs of headphones at once.
8. Mifaso desk clamp power strip: $23 (save $5)
Add extra outlets to your workstation with this desk clamp power strip. It has four AC outlets, two USB-A ports and a USB-C port -- the latter of which supports up to 30 watts of power delivery, allowing you to charge your MacBook, smartphone or tablet with ease. This version has a 5-foot cord, but a 10-foot option is also available if your workstation isn't near an outlet.
9. Ikea Skadis pegboard: $55
Do you need extra supplies close by but don't have desk drawers? Consider a pegboard. This customizable space is easy to install and keeps your essentials organized and out of the way.
10. Phomemo portable thermal printer: $90 (save $39)
While I don't have this specific model, I did trade my old, bulky printer for a slim portable printer and I appreciate the extra space it frees up. This slim thermal printer comes with a travel case and can easily be stashed in a desk drawer when you're not using it. It doesn't print in color but it should be suitable for those occasional tax or legal documents, as well as tickets that you need to print without an extra trip to your local library or UPS Store.
11. Velcro heavy duty tape: $16 (save $2)
This heavy-duty tape holds up to 10 pounds, helping you hang routers, displays and other items out of the way so your workstation can function and stay less cluttered.
12. Twelve South HiRise Pro monitor stand: $50 (save $30)
Not only does this adjustable monitor stand help reduce neck and back strain by raising the display up to 3.75 inches, but it also has built-in storage so that you can put away storage drives, AirPods, your mouse at the end of the day or anything else that doesn't need to be out all of the time. The internal shelf also adjusts to four screen height options. Just note that this stand is made for iMac and similar displays, with a maximum base depth and width of 235mm (9.25 inches).
13. Lonian under-shelf hanging storage baskets (2-pack): $23
Depending on your setup, you can use these baskets as under-desk storage or under-shelf storage if you have an overhead shelf like I do. It's a helpful way to keep things close at hand but away from your immediate workspace. I have a couple of these hanging and have a couple of others stacked on a side shelf to store some of my peripherals, like my microphone and my plug-in disk drive. Be sure your desk or shelf does not exceed 1 inch in order for this basket to slip on.
14. D-Line cable management box: $23
If you have a lot of pesky wires sticking out of a power strip, you can hide it with this nifty box. Grab one in either black or white, whichever matches your setup best, so it can blend in seamlessly.
15. Viozon monitor and laptop mount: $88
If you still haven't switched to a monitor mount, now's the time. It can free up space at your workstation and lift the screens to a more ergonomic height. This nifty 2-in-1 model has a place for your laptop and a place for your monitor -- just double-check the measurements first to ensure it will work with your current gear.
16. Keomaisyto 6-tier standing file organizer: $46
While ideally you won't have a lot of files, papers and other odds and ends at your desk, that's not always possible. If you want something simple you can roll under your desk while still keeping your essentials close at hand, look no further than this standing file organizer with slide-out trays, lockable wheels. The top section has a sturdy shelf, too, but there's also one with a drawer at the top if it better suits your needs.
Be sure to check out all of our Black Friday 2025 coverage for Black Friday deals on laptops, headphones, TVs, Apple gear and everything in between.
