Make a DIY Desk Organizer

This modern, geometric DIY desk organizer is a perfect handmade project for back to school! Make one for your own office to add some cool organization to your day.

I haven’t gone “back to school” in years, but that doesn’t stop me from loving the whole back-to-school thing!

Why is it so exciting and satisfying to get all of your pencils and paperclips and binders neat and organized and ready to rock for the year ahead? I just don’t know.

But every year around the time that we spot the end of summer on the horizon, I get totally pumped to reorganize my desk and all of my junk.

So in the spirit of getting the twelve thousand pens and pencils that float around my life all organized, I made this simple DIY back to school desk organizer to inspire us all!

Psst — before you dive in, be sure to join my VIP list below so that I can send more of my very best office and home DIYs straight to ya!

Why Make a DIY Desk ORganizer When you Could Just Buy One?

Ah, the eternal question. Why DIY when you could just buy one?

In this case, the reasons for creating a DIY desk organizer are pretty compelling. If you believe in heartfelt, healthy, and whole productivity like me, I bet you’ll agree that when your workspace feels harmonious and supportive, you do your best work.

I really can’t get enough of talking about it.

But the point is, creating a desk organizer that is suited to your exact needs will support your work and make your desk feel like it’s made for just you.

You could definitely go out and buy one, but if you create one you’ll have a customized organizer made to your exact specifications and preferences. I love that.

Ways to Customize Your Desk Organizer

There are so many ways that you could make this project your own.

When I created it, I was into geometric angles and bright colors. But you could adjust any or all of that!

Instead of an angular profile for the face of the desk organizer, try creating curved lines or one solid arch. You could also opt for a solid color on the front, rather than a mix of colors.

And speaking of a color palette, rather than bold colors you could try something in a palette of complementary neutrals.

I also love the idea of covering the front with a patterned vinyl and avoiding paint entirely.

The possibilities are endless!

Supplies You’ll Need

Materials

• white foam core board
• craft knife
• ruler
• pencil
• E6000
• clamps (optional)
• craft paint
• paintbrushes
• washi tape

Make Time: 1 Hour (Plus Drying Time)

How to Make a DIY Desk Organizer

1. Measure and cut out all of your pieces of foam core. See the image for measurements. For cutting, we recommend making a light pencil line, then lining up your ruler on the line, and cutting with your craft knife. Make a first pass with the knife that is pretty shallow; this creates a perforation for the knife to follow. Press more firmly on subsequent cuts. It should take you 4 or 5 passes to cut through the foam core.
2. Once the piece are all cut, assemble the desk organizer. Use the image as a guide. Spread glue only on the edges of the pieces that will be inside the organizer and unexposed. Once the pieces are assembled, hold them together while they are drying with clamps. If you don’t have clamps, you can arrange heavy books on either side of the organizer to keep the glued pieces from sliding or falling open.
3. Choose a front side for your organizer. On the front side, paint a solid layer of craft paint. Allow to dry.
4. Once dry, mask off a diagonal angle on the front of the organizer with wash tape. Paint a complementary color above the tape; remove the tape while the paint is still drying.
5. If you’d like a third color, repeat Step 4 once all paint is dry. Remove the tape and allow the paint to dry and cure overnight.

More Pretty Office DIY Projects

Put all your pencils, pens, scissors, and goodies in that bad boy and gear up for the school year!

And by the way, if you need more back to school or home office DIY inspiration, I combed through our library to find the best of the best!

Check out these posts and be sure to pin your favorites so you can find them easily again. Have fun! xoxo

• DIY Plexiglass Brainstorm Board for Back to School
• WFH Essentials for Your Home Office Setup
• DIY Paint Pen Patterned Office Containers
• DIY Pencil Sneakers for Back to School
• Custom Notebooks for Back-to-School

DIY Desk Organizer

Yield: DIY Desk Organizer

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Intermediate

This modern, geometric DIY desk organizer is a perfect handmade project for back to school! Make one for your own office to add some cool organization to your day.

Print

Materials

• Foam core
• Craft Paint
• Glue
• Pencil
• Washi tape

Tools

• Craft knife
• Ruler
• Paintbrushes
• Clamps (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure and cut out all of your pieces of foam core. See the image for measurements. For cutting, we recommend making a light pencil line, then lining up your ruler on the line, and cutting with your craft knife. Make a first pass with the knife that is pretty shallow; this creates a perforation for the knife to follow. Press more firmly on subsequent cuts. It should take you 4 or 5 passes to cut through the foam core.
2. Once the piece are all cut, assemble the desk organizer. Use the image as a guide. Spread glue only on the edges of the pieces that will be inside the organizer and unexposed. Once the pieces are assembled, hold them together while they are drying with clamps. If you don't have clamps, you can arrange heavy books on either side of the organizer to keep the glued pieces from sliding or falling open.
3. Choose a front side for your organizer. On the front side, paint a solid layer of craft paint. Allow to dry.
4. Once dry, mask off a diagonal angle on the front of the organizer with wash tape. Paint a complementary color above the tape; remove the tape while the paint is still drying.
5. If you'd like a third color, repeat Step 4 once all paint is dry. Remove the tape and allow the paint to dry and cure overnight.

Notes

There are so many ways that you could make this project your own.

When I created it, I was into geometric angles and bright colors. But you could adjust any or all of that!

Instead of an angular profile for the face of the desk organizer, try creating curved lines or one solid arch. You could also opt for a solid color on the front, rather than a mix of colors.

And speaking of a color palette, rather than bold colors you could try something in a palette of complementary neutrals.

I also love the idea of covering the front with a patterned vinyl and avoiding paint entirely.

The possibilities are endless!

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