Are you looking to get your place organized on a budget? Try one of these 30+ ideas for DIY desk organizers! Personalize them any way you like; they’re great for beginners.
Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see a video of one of the projects in action.
One of the most popular projects on my blog is a DIY desk organizer! I made it out of recycled toilet paper rolls and paper towel tubes – along with a cereal box and a wood plaque (it’s #1 on the list below).
It was then that I realized two things: 1) you all really, really like desk organizers and 2) there’s no point in ever buying one because you can make exactly the one that you want!
If you want to make your own desk organizer, check out one of the 30+ tutorials below. There are a variety of choices – and not all of them use Mod Podge.
But I’m all about showing you organizers and letting you choose what you want to make and how you incorporate decoupage medium (if you do at all!). Take a peek at the list below and let me know your favorite in the comments!
1
Recycled Materials
Make a desk organizer using recycled materials, and customize it any way you like using this tutorial.
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2
lovelyindeed.com
DIY Back to School Desk Organizer
Can you believe this is made out of a foam core? I can't believe how inexpensive and easy it is to make, and you can use any paint colors you like.
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3
thecrazycraftlady.com
Upcycled Pen Organizer
Use wrapping paper to make a simple upcycled desktop pen organizer. Keep your desk clear, with office supplies organized and handy!
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4
Allison Murray
Make a Mountain
Don't be intimidated by projects using a jigsaw – they're actually quite easy! You're going to use a tool to build this unique DIY desk organizer inspired by the mountains.
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5
mountainmodernlife.com
Upcycled Tin Can Organizer
Who doesn't love a good recycled craft? This organizer made from tin cans shows you that just about anything can look good with a little bit of paint.
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6
akailochiclife.com
Colorful Rainbow
This rainbow desk organizer is perfect for those who love a colorful work area! A few wood rounds, paint, and a little chop saw action and this organizer comes together quickly.
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7
thehowtohome.com
DIY Homework Station
Mary Beth made this as a homework organization station! You can use it for school or office. I love the bright colors and the lazy susan to turn and grab what you need.
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8
www.kleinworthco.com
Recycled Bottles and Cartons
You can make organizers using recycled bottles and cartons! Use this tutorial along with a bit of Mod Podge. These organizers are perfect for a desk in a craft room.
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9
abutterflyhouse.com
$15 DIY Monitor Riser & Organizer
Build your own DIY monitor riser that doubles as a desk organizer! Only one board required – and very basic building skills.
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10
Chelsey Foy
DIY Clay Desk Organizer
Learn how to make a modern desk organizer with clay in this fun and easy tutorial! It’s a simple technique that you can use again and again to make all kinds of fun home decor pieces.
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11
Hazel + Gold
Concrete & Glass
Sheri made this DIY desk organizer out of necessity! Her items were too heavy to keep in standard holders, so she decided to encase glass in concrete. This works so well and goes perfectly with modern decor.
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12
www.southernrevivals.com
Back to School Pencil Desk Organizer
This adorable DIY pencil desk organizer is a perfect back to school project for the little people in your life or even a special teacher or two. Plus, it’s so easy and cheap to make you might as well make more than one!
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13
Kim Six
Organizer from a Single Board
If you're a beginning woodworker, you'll definitely be able to tackle this project! This organizer is easy to make, inexpensive, and looks pretty cute with some paint.
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14
akailochiclife.com
80’s Inspired
This particular desk organizer has serious Miami Vice vibes! Kara made it for her fun and colorful office, and I love how it turned out. Now I want an 80s themed office!
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15
www.pinkwhen.com
DIY Cardboard Roll Desk Caddy
This cardboard roll craft desk caddy is a cute and inexpensive way to dress up yours or your students’ desks. It's not only super simple, but also very cost-effective.
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16
www.iheartorganizing.com
Paper Sorting Organizer
This unique organizer is for the person who has more paper versus anything else. Keep it all together with this easy tutorial that features melamine board as your main "ingredient."
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17
www.anikasdiylife.com
Mason Jars
Mason jars always come to the rescue in any organizing dilemma. Anika made this DIY mason jar desk organizer to add storage and organization to her modern farmhouse office. But it can be used in so many ways!
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18
thelovelydrawer.com
Balsa Wood
I can't believe this started as a wire dish rack! You can get one from the thrift store, paint it, and then add the balsa wood. This is the perfect organizer for a corner.
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19
Linda Braden
Individual Mason Jars
In a post above you were shown how to make a mason jar holder for an organizer – this post shows you how to decorate individual mason jars to use as glass holders in a wire rack. So cute!
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20
Niki Meiners
Faux Cork
Combine old cans, clay, and paint for some awesome containers. Use them as decorations, vases, candles or as a desktop organizer like Niki did. The secret to creating this technique is an old toothbrush!
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21
justdestinymag.com
Acrylic Containers
Some people have acrylic trays and pencil cups on their desk, and those never have to be boring! Learn how to decorate them with pretty papers and vinyl (and Mod Podge!).
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22
monsterscircus.com
Eames Elephant
A modern leather elephant to hold all your desk goodies? Yes please! This pachyderm is easier to make than you think, and it's inspired by Eames.
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23
Brittany Jepsen
DIY Organizer with Kitchen Items
If you need to organize your desk, don't go buy something new. Just raid your kitchen! I love the pretty papers used for this DIY organizer.
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24
www.majhofftakesawife.com
DIY Desk Organizer For School Supplies
Looking for a way to keep all those school supplies organized? This easy project will keep the markers, pencils and crayons within reach! It doubles as a cute farmhouse decor piece as well as a caddy.
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25
www.burkatron.com
DIY Hanging Organizer
If you prefer an organizer that hangs, you're going to enjoy this idea! It's easy to make with a few pieces of wood and some glue.
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26
Amy Kim
Small Wood Containers
There are a variety of wood boxes you can get from the craft store, and Amy took some and turned them into desk organizers! You can use them with the lids on or off; either way they make for simple and modern office decor.
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27
Mark Montano
Constellation Organizers
These organizers were made from boxes! I love how Mark added compartments at the front to hold supplies in addition to the larger area to hold books and magazines.
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28
www.freutcake.com
Copper Spray Painted
Copper, rose gold, and other related metallics are so popular! This looks metal, but it's actually glass covered in spray paint. I love this pretty (simple) organizer.
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29
thelovelydrawer.com
Corkboard and Container Combo
Make this your pretty office things on display, a super easy and modern organizer with a cork board that requires no nails, hammers or drills to make.
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30
askannamoseley.com
Cardboard Box
Could you ever guess that this desk container was a tuna box? Me either! I love transforming recyclables into organizers, and this is perfect for a craft desk.
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31
thecraftedlife.com
Embroidered Desk Organizer
With a little bit of thread and some spray paint, you can turn a metal container into a tool for organizing your tape, scissors, and other supplies. Perfect if you need something small.
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Do you want to see the making of a desk organizer in action? Check out the video from Cathie and Steve below (just press “PLAY” in the center of the video in the post):
Janet
Friday 12th of August 2022
Your ideas are cute.
Amy
Friday 19th of August 2022
Thank you so much!
Janelle
Tuesday 14th of February 2017
Thanks so much for this compilation! I just started working from home full time, and this would really help me get my desk in some semblance of order and style :D
Katie
Friday 3rd of February 2017
Awesome roundup, I especially love the one from The Merry Thought! Thank you so much for including my tin can organizer!
Katie