What really makes a desk stand out to me is the collection of stationery items placed on top of it (and also the manner in which they are placed). The true value and efficiency of your desk lie in the smart assortment of designs you adorn it with – these are after all the objects that are gonna help you get through your workday, and directly or indirectly affect your productivity. It’s imperative to have a collection that really lets you work easily, efficiently, and effectively. But what’s even more integral than that is to have them organized and tidy, so they don’t clutter up your desk, and in turn hamper your productivity. This is where smart holders and containers come into the equation, as they ensure your stationery is stored efficiently but is also easily accessible!
1. Grovemade’s Hardwood Cups and Planters
Made the hard old school way in Grovemade’s Portland OR factory, the cups, planters, and dishes are carved from solid maple or walnut. These containers are functional and utilitarian but also quite good-looking.
Why is it noteworthy?
The detailed pieces are hand-sanded and finished with a clear vegetable-based oil which highlights the natural warmth, elegance, and sheer beauty of the wood. The collection basically consists of cups, dishes, and planters in a variety of different woods. The cups are tall containers that are ideal for holding your pens, pencils, scissors, markers, etc.
What we like
- Come in various metal and material options, so you can pick and choose
What we dislike
- Aesthetics are a bit unassuming and boring
2. The KNOB.
The KNOB. is a minimal and sleek pen tray with soft rounded edges, that adds an iota of personality and character to your desk. It is designed by Changho Lee and gives a refreshing yet simple twist to the regular pen tray.
Why is it noteworthy?
Despite its simple good looks, the KNOB. pen tray has quite a unique functionality. The pen tray was inspired by the knobs you find on a gas burner. Lee borrowed the design language of gas burner knobs, and replicated it in his tray creating a piece of stationery with intriguing-looking ‘control buttons’ or ‘knobs’.
What we like
- The knobs or multiport radar allow you to adjust the internal space of the pen tray
What we dislike
- Does not have a chance to accommodate unusually shaped objects
3. Scissors w/ Base
Why is it noteworthy?
In a world where tech tidies our desks, who knew scissors would steal the limelight? The Scissors w/Base aren’t just cutting-edge (pun intended); they’re reshaping workspace organization. That magnetic base? It’s the game-changer, giving these shears a permanent VIP spot on your desk—no more lost-in-the-abyss moments. Crafted with lustrous Japanese steel, they’re not just tools but desk decor that screams ‘next-gen chic’. And that bonus boxcutter feature? Consider it a nifty Easter egg in this age of multifunctional design.
What we like
- That magnetic base is genius—ensuring your scissors have a dedicated spot
- In the world of multifunctional gadgets, having a built-in box cutter is the kind of forward-thinking detail we appreciate
What we dislike
- As much as they’re aesthetically pleasing, they will not replace the heavy-duty scissors you need for tougher tasks
4. UFO Desk Pen Holder
The UFO Desk Pen Holder is an innovative pen holder that is completely out of this world. It holds your pen, while suspending it in mid-air, giving the impression that aliens are going to kidnap your pen. The pen stands straight and upright in the holder.
Why is it noteworthy?
The top of the pen holder is your stereotypical alien spaceship in the shape of a flying saucer. You could put the USS Enterprise or a Star Destroyer, too, but its irregular shape would break the illusion and remove a bit of the eerie atmosphere surrounding this design.
What we like
- Adds an element of fun to your workdesk
- The saucer provides illumination
What we dislike
- As a single pen holder, it takes up a lot of space on the desk
5. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter
Why is it noteworthy?
In the realm of desk organization, where every inch counts, this letter cutter reimagines a standard office tool. Beyond its efficient slicing, its ability to serve as a chic paperweight means less clutter and more style for your workspace. It’s not just about opening mail—it’s about elevating and decluttering your entire desk aesthetic.
What we like
- The precision cut ensures there are no messy scraps left behind, making post-mail cleanup a breeze
- By doubling as a paperweight, it ensures fewer items are scattered across your workspace, helping maintain a clean, organized desk
What we dislike
- While fantastic for standard envelopes, it is not versatile enough for those bulkier packages or intricate mail
6. Grovemade Note-Taking Kit
The Grovemade Note-Taking Kit is the perfect product to effortlessly, efficiently capture, process, and store your notes.
Why is it noteworthy?
Grovemade’s Note-Taking Kit is essentially a refillable notepad with dot grid paper and a solid metal base, accompanied by a display rail to hold and accommodate your notes and devices, as well as a vertical organizer that will store your notes until you’re ready to use them – this keeps your workspace neat and tidy in the meantime.
What we like
- Ensures that your workdesk is neat and tidy, helping you complete your important tasks first
What we dislike
- Will consume a substantial amount of precious real estate on your desk
7. Quick-Access Organizer
Why is it noteworthy?
In a world buzzing with smart gadgets and digital reminders, something as fundamental as losing keys can feel archaic. This organizer isn’t just a storage solution; it’s a desk revolution. By using magnetic wizardry, it guarantees that your essentials have a designated, easily accessible home, marrying form and function in a way that shouts 21st-century design philosophy.
What we like
- The rotating mechanism takes the guesswork out of storage. Drop your items, and they’re securely in place, ready for their next use
- Not just a lid, but a tray? It’s this kind of dual functionality that truly maximizes space, and we’re all about efficient design
- Even your Everyday Carry tools find a home, ensuring everything you need is in one spot
What we dislike
- While spacious, those with a larger array of items will find it limiting
- There’s always a concern about magnets around certain electronic devices or cards. You would need to be selective about what you store
8. Forest Tidy
This seat of minimal and solid containers is called the Forest Tidy and it is carved from rosewood. The set aims to bring a whole new level of organization to your desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
By splitting your workspace belongings into different categories, the Forest Tidy organizational kit gives you space for stationery, tech, EDC, cables, and even a dedicated stand for your monitor along with a stowaway space for your keyboard and mouse.
What we like
- Available variety of shapes and sizes, tailor-made to your tabletop belongings
- Features a dedicated phone stand that lets you dock your phone either in portrait or landscape
What we dislike
- Unfortunately, the phone stand doesn’t come with a channel for a cable pass-through, which means it won’t function as a charging stand
9. Cyl
Cyl is an innovative desk organizer concept that utilizes the age-old stacking trick to free up horizontal space on your deck by using the unused vertical space that is often forgotten.
Why is it noteworthy?
This desk organizer concept doesn’t discriminate or put limits on what you can put inside. More importantly, you can easily see what’s inside and quickly get them without having to unstack the ones above. In theory, you can stack the containers as high as you can, presuming gravity doesn’t cause them to topple over.
What we like
- You can easily see what’s inside and quickly get them without having to unstack the ones above
- Organizers come in different sizes
What we dislike
- No option to close the organizer when not in use
10. Hanging Desk Organizer
Why is it noteworthy?
In today’s ever-evolving workspaces, redefining how we utilize space is essential. This edge-hanging organizer doesn’t just challenge the norms; it entirely disrupts them. Leveraging often overlooked spaces, it offers a solution that’s as innovative as it is effective, allowing users to reclaim their desktop real estate for productivity while ensuring essentials are always within arm’s reach.
What we like
- Hanging off the edge, it taps into a frequently wasted space, maximizing the utility of every square inch of your desk
- The modular magnetic system puts the control in your hands, enabling bespoke organizational setups tailored to individual needs
- With nano suction tape, not only is placement a breeze, but relocating becomes hassle-free, catering to ever-evolving workspace dynamics
What we dislike
- While sturdy, there is a cap to how much weight it can handle before becoming unstable
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