Organize Your Desktop -- No, Not That One!

Who hasn't looked up at their computer screen only to realize that it's as cluttered as their shoe closet? Luckily, I've found a few great ideas on how to create a clean, user-friendly (and virtually maintenance-free!) desktop. Now I've just got to follow these rules myself. Hmm...

Here are a few rules of thumb to consider when organizing your computer files:

1. Before you shut down your computer for the day, file any downloaded documents where they belong. Sometimes that's in the trash, but hey -- better to be in the trash then have you wondering what it is three months from now.

2. Snap your icons to the grid. OK, if you have no idea what that means, right-click on your desktop and you will be prompted to note how you'd like to arrange your desktop icons (If you have a Mac, click on your desktop and click on "View," which will allow you to make the same choice). You can arrange them by name, date saved, etc., depending on your computer operating system. Also, there may be an arrow for "Additional Options." If you hover and select "Snap icons to grid," your icons will line up nice and neat so your desktop don't look like shrapnel.

3. Create desktop folders called "Yes" and "Maybe" and file documents in them to review later. "Maybe" means you might not need them, but you'd like to keep them for future reference. "Yes" is for those important docs you need and aren't ready to file away.

4. Want to step it up a notch? ExitCreative shows us how to use a desktop image as a filing system for ongoing projects. I use a similar system for myself, creating copious amounts of folders and subfolders to keep my work organized. This look is simple, minimal and bright -- a hypothetical clean slate to finally sift through your desktop junk and organize your work! Use the larger version for your own desktop and enjoy a clean filing system.
Note: If you're not sure how to change your desktop image, simply right-click on your desktop and choose "Change desktop background." Easy as pie!

5. Not a fan of stark minimalism? Download this floral (and more literal) image to organize documents, simply by file type. Designer Katie Janes has a variety of free desktop images on her site, but this one is the ultimate organizer for keeping those Word docs from mixing with your Excel budgets. In fact, they'll be further apart from each other than boys and girls at a 7th grade dance. Perfect!

6. If you'd like to use your desktop as more of a to-do list, I'd borrow this lovely image to categorize my days of the week. Simply sort your files into Mon, Tues, Wed, etc. folder and store them in the calendar space provided. Adorable, clean and fun.


In fact, I've just inspired myself to create my own desktop image above. Get creative and let your image work for you. With a basic design software (I used Pages), you can organize your desktop in no time! And if you don't have design software, don't worry. There are plenty of ways to organize your files without the use of an image-based design. Lifeclever has a wonderful article on this to get you started!

Now -- get to work!

Want to tackle organization in the rest of your home? Read more:
-Chores Made Easy: Declutter 10 Items in 10 Minutes
-Chores Made Easy: Organize Your Photos
-I Need a Place to Put My Pots