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The Best Classroom Teacher Desk Ideas & Organization Tips

If you’re looking for some new classroom teacher desk ideas for the school year, then this post is for you. We’ll explore the best ideas for your desk organization, storage solutions, decoration, how to choose the best desk and even alternatives to the traditional teacher desk.

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Teacher Desk Organization Ideas

The key to good organization is to have a plan and create a space that you love. This way you’ll be motivated to keep everything organized and you’ll know where everything goes. Let’s check out some great ideas below to get your teacher desk organized this year.

Uncluttered Teacher’s Desk Ideas

Here’s a few teacher desk organization tips to make sure you don’t have a cluttered desk:

• Have a designated place for everything.
• Take advantage of extra storage under your desk and desk drawers for your personal items.
• Do a quick work area cleanup at the end of the day so that you start with a fresh clean space in the morning.

Organized Desk Drawer

If your desk has drawers this is the perfect space to store the supplies that are just for you. It’s easy for drawers to get messy and cluttered. A simple idea to avoid this is to invest in drawer organizers like these that you insert into the drawer to keep everything in its place.

Organized Teacher Workspace

Another good idea to keep your desk organized is to invest in desktop organizers like file holders, and supply caddies. If you create a space that looks pretty it will motivate you to keep it organized too. Read on to discover some desktop organizers that I recommend.

Desktop Organizers

Now let’s check out my top picks for desktop organizers. These not only get the job done but look great too!

Gold Desk Organizer with Sliding Drawer

This desk organizer, (found here) will help you to really maximize your desk top space. You can store your supplies in the sliding drawer and your papers or lesson plans on the paper tray. There are 5 upright file organizers for file folders, journals or notebooks.

Rotating Desk Pen Organizer

This rotating supply caddy packs a lot of storage and will help you save on desk space. The design is sleek and simple. You can find this pen holder here.

Gold File Organizer

Adding a vertical file organizer is a great way to save desktop space. I like this gold triangle shaped organizer because it has a pretty modern design.

Extra Storage Options

If you have a small desk you may want to add additional storage and organization to your teacher area. This could be in the form of a teacher cart, a bookshelf or filing cabinets. Check out below the best ideas to add some extra storage to your teacher area.

Additional Storage Solutions for Teacher Area

This teacher space has it all including extra storage and classroom organization around the desk for easy access to everything needed. The desk is located behind these filing cabinets. Here are all the ideas that you can copy from this teacher area:

• Add a rolling cart by your desk for important items that you want within arm’s reach and that you can wheel around the class.
• Place a horizontal filing cabinet in front of your desk to store and organize papers and to expand your desktop work area.
• Place a bookshelf behind your desk with drawers and caddies for school supplies.
• Add a small shelf on wheels.

Teacher Bookshelf

Add a bookshelf behind your desk to store papers, extra art supplies and binders so they do not clutter your desk space. You can copy this idea and add bulletin board paper to the back of the bookshelf to match your classroom decorations.

Organized Binders and Wall Storage Idea

Create a shelf with binders with matching spine labels near your desk so that you can easily grab what you need.

You can also steal this idea of adding pegboards to the wall for supply storage. I have some more wall space storage ideas for you below.

Maximize Wall Space

If you have a small classroom with limited desk space, you can utilize your wall for storage and organization. Check out some creative ideas to do that below.

Clipboards on the Wall

Here’s a creative way to get some of those extra papers off of your desk. Add clipboards to the wall and designate each one with a purpose. Here are some examples:

• Your To Do List
• Missing Work
• Your Daily Schedule
• Important Reminders
• Info for you subs

Hanging Mailbox

Don’t have space on your desk for your mailbox, no problem steal this idea and hang a basket on the wall for that purpose.

Framed To Do List

Here’s a great idea to elevate your to do list. Reserve a space on your wall near your desk for a framed to-do list. Steal this idea and create 4 sections, today, this week, tomorrow and sometime. You can change out sticky notes when needed for new tasks.

Teacher Desk Decor

If you want your teacher desk to look amazing check out this next section and get inspired by creative teacher desk decoration ideas.

Decorate the Front of Your Desk

Here’s a fun idea to make your desk as pretty as your bulletin boards. Here’s how you pull it off:

• Add bulletin board letters to spell out your name.
• Use bulletin board paper and even borders to make your desk match your classroom decor.
• Add tassels or even a paper banner to add a pop of color and texture.

On Theme Teacher’s Desk

Why not carry your class theme into your desk area with your lesson planner, supply holders, and your teacher toolbox?

Beautiful Teacher’s Desk Decor

Add beautiful décor and accessories like a pretty lamp, a vase with flowers and a cute picture frame with a family photo. You’ll spend a lot of time here so make it a special place with items you love to give yourself a little boost while you’re working.

Aesthetic Classroom Teacher Desk Ideas

Pick a color scheme for your desk accessories and even your teacher supplies to create a cohesive look and feel for your desk.

Teacher Desk Accessories

Now let’s check out some of my favorite desk accessories that will help you create a teacher desk area that you love.

Pretty Desk Supplies Set

Pretty desk supplies will help you elevate the look of your desk. This is a set on Amazon that you can find here. It includes:

• A ruler
• Scissors
• Gold paper clips, tacks and binder clips
• A golden stapler with staples and staple remover
• A clear and gold tape dispenser with tape
• A cute cell phone holder and
• A pencil cup

Cute Desk Mat

Add a desk mat to define your desk space and add a little style to your desktop too. I love that this one that doubles as a mouse pad and comes in several different patterns too.

Desktop Mini Fridge

Place an adorable mini fridge like this little retro Frigidaire one on your desktop for easy access to your drinks, snacks and your lunch.  This one comes in several different colors too.

Choosing the Right Desk

If you’re deciding what’s the best teacher desk for your class here are some things to consider:

• How much space do you have in your classroom?
• Do you need your desk to provide extra storage?
• Do you want to be sitting at your desk standing or both?
• Do you want to explore alternative options to a traditional desk that the school provided for you?

Let’s check out some different desk types and the pros and cons of each.

Sit and Stand Desk

A sit and stand option is perfect for you if you like to switch between sitting and standing at your desk. This one is electric and includes a monitor stand. The cons are that it does not have as much surface area and storage as a traditional desk.

L-Shaped Teacher Desk with Storage

A large corner desk is a good teacher desk option if you want extra storage. This one is reversible so you can arrange it whichever direction works best for your class space. The con is that L shaped desks take up a lot of space.

Teacher Desk Alternatives

If you‘re thinking of ditching the traditional teacher desk because you don’t want a large piece of furniture taking up a ton of class space, then check out some alternatives below.

Small Group Area as Teacher Desk

To maximize your space, you can create a two in one teacher desk and the area for your small groups. This works well if you’re already spending a lot of time in this space and don’t need an actual desk. You can add some extra storage behind the group table for your teacher supplies and other important items.

Mobile Standing Desk

If you want to be able to move throughout the class with your desk, consider a small standing rolling desk with wheels. This desk is adjustable and include a monitor stand and a keyboard tray. Some teachers use this as a computer cart in addition to their teacher desk.

Hope you found some new classroom teacher desk ideas in this post. Feel free to save your favorite ideas to your Pinterest boards. To do that just click on the picture and then the P and choose your board. If you love this post, please give it a share.

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