How to Organize Your Desk for Projects

A simple guide to setting up your workspace so you can finish your homework and creative projects with ease. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Clear the deck. Take everything off your desk and put it on the floor or a nearby table. Wipe the desk surface clean with your damp cloth so you have a fresh, dust-free space to start with.
2. Sort your supplies. Look at everything you took off the desk. Group similar items together: pens and pencils in one pile, paper in another, and random items like broken crayons or old papers in a 'trash' or 'recycle' pile.
3. Create zones. Place your most-used items, like your pencil case or current project notebook, within easy reach of your dominant hand. Put items you use less often, like extra paper or reference books, toward the back or side of the desk.
4. Use containers. Put your grouped items into your small boxes or trays. Label them if you like so you know exactly where everything goes. This keeps loose items from rolling around or getting lost.