Desk accessories

• Set up by reach
• Materials and style
• Measure first
• Featured types

Set up by reach

Keep the space right in front of you clear for writing or your keyboard. Within arm's reach, park the everyday stuff: a pen cup, sticky notes, stapler and phone stand. Anything you use weekly, like paper trays and file boxes, can live at the back of the desk or on a shelf.

Materials and style

Metal mesh organizers are tough and budget-friendly. Bamboo and wood feel warm in a home office. Clear acrylic keeps things visible and looks tidy in small spaces. A desk pad (or desk mat) protects the surface and gives your pen a smoother, slightly cushioned surface to write on.

Measure first

Dorm desks and apartment workspaces are often smaller than you'd guess. Measure depth and width before ordering, and check that paper trays fit 8.5 × 11 inch Letter paper (or 8.5 × 14 Legal, if you deal with contracts).