TIPS FOR CLEANING YOUR DESK

When people think of spring cleaning, they often think of refreshing all of the bed linens, cleaning rugs and giving the kitchen a good clean out. What tends to get neglected is cleaning the desk. But as we’re likely to spend a good deal of time sitting at our desks, it’s one of the most important spots to make sure is clean and organized so we can most enjoy getting our work done.

HOW TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR DESK
1. Clear off the clutter: First thing is first, and that’s clearing your desk of all of that stuff. Don’t get bogged down in organizing it yet. That’s probably what has kept you from cleaning out your desk sooner, the thought of organizing all those piles. For right now, just make a tidy pile and then move on to the next step.

2. Clean off the surfaces: A dusty workspace does not encourage you to spend time there. So get out the rags or paper towels and clean all of the surfaces. Don’t forget about your electronics. A microfiber cloth is great for cleaning off screens, and compressed air is great for keyboards. And go deep. Get the drawers neat. If there’s a bunch of stuff in there, take it out, and put it in the pile of disorganized stuff. If you’re already happily organized with your drawers, then remove the things, clean it, and replace them as they were.

3. Make the space you want: Before you start organizing, consider your space and how you’ve been using it. Often, things just kind of fall into a pattern, and it’s often not the pattern that you want or that’s most beneficial to getting work done. Think about what projects you most want to get done, and how your workspace can contribute to you being more effective. Some tips on how to organize your workspace:

Good lighting: Make sure that you have adequate lighting that is comfortable for your eyes.
Labeling: Any folders, boxes and drawers should have labels to keep you well organized.
Shelving: Often times vertical space is underutilized. Think of installing shelves above your desk to keep papers or resources that you use regularly, keeping them in sight and easy to grab.
Plants: You want to keep knickknacks to a minimum but a plant can literally breathe new life into your workspace, filling the air with oxygen. If there’s a quote or image that you find inspiring, clip it, frame it and put it on or above your desk.
4. Get organized: Now that you’ve set up your workspace exactly as you’d like it, it’s time to organize all that stuff. In choosing how you’d like your space to be, it will be much easier to decide where things go, and also what you really need. Now is the time to get rid of whatever you don’t need. Be brutal. Do you really need paper copies of everything or can you digitize some of your records?

You know what they say about all work and no play. Our Dallas apartments are the best place to get the job done and enjoy the good life. Our architecturally significant, modern homes are in the artsy, culturally diverse, historic Cedars neighborhood. When you need a change of scenery for doing work, take advantage of our Apple powered business center. And after work’s done, relax on the sun deck by the swimming pool, enjoy our many events for residents or sit by the fireplace in our Skyline Lounge and catch up on your favorite TV shows. To learn more about our many amenities, schedule a tour.