Clear the Decks: 11 Ideas for Controlling Desktop Paper (Shredder Included)

Even in these paperless times, the empty desk is unrealistic–and, let’s face it, too soulless. Fortunately, we’ve entered a new Golden Age (literally and figuratively) of desk accessories. “Where do I put the odd piece of mail that requires attention, such as those annoying $11 medical copay bills?” Michelle asked in an editorial meeting the other day. Here are 11 answers, shredder included.

Above: Danish design company Ferm Living recently unveiled a new collection of desk accessories that includes, from left: a house-shaped Magazine Holder veneered in smoked oak, $59 from Clever Spaces; a Brass Hexagon Pot, $54 for small (other shapes and sizes available), from Clever Spaces; and nesting cardboard Boxes with leather tabs, set of four €144 ($182.82 USD) from Ferm Living.

Above: The Another Country Paper Tray, made of oak and brass by one of our favorite UK furniture companies, is now available in the US from Nannie Inez, $117. Go to Another Country in Marylebone, London to see more.

Above: Ikea’s Kvissle desk storage collection in steel and cork includes a Desk Organizer, $5.99; Letter Tray, $19.99; Set of Four Boxes with Lids, $14.99; Wall Magazine Rack, $14.99; and more.

Above: A new take on the tiered paper tray, Archive Hill by Danish design company Hay is made of oak; 799 DKK ($137.79 USD).

Above: The Mail Organizer Desk Tray, shown above, second from left, from Shinola has shaped metal dividers and is designed for propping up letters, business cards, iPhones, and iPads; $80 (not currently in stock but arriving soon). It’s designed by Seattle’s Ladies and Gentleman Studio in collaboration with Pat Kim of Brooklyn, who together offer a similar set of desk accessories (see below).

Above: The .Org Deskscape System by Ladies and Gentlemen Studio and Pat Kim consists of a series of wood, cork, and metal modules, all made in the US and designed to be “tiled together to create a tidy desk landscape.” The group–a zigzag tray, double-bowl container, mail organizer, and cork block–is $250 from L&G Studio.

Above: The wood and ceramic W&W Stationery and Tech Organizer, $50 at A&R, consists of a grooved tray–which serves as a memo pad holder and smartphone stand (with a place for a charger)–and a container for pens, paper clips, and other small items.

Above: The Alessi Fierzo Desk Organizer has a beechwood base for holding desk supplies and a mirror-polished, stainless-steel frame that holds sheets of paper–to keep important material on view or create a changeable screen; $59 for the small (shown here) and $135 for the large, from Alessi.

Above: The Handy Paper Shredder is 7.2 inches wide and operates manually; $11.95 from Muji.

Above: The Teak Trash Basket by Saito Wood of Japan is $75 for the 12-inch-tall small size, shown here, and $130 for the large from Tortoise General Store in Los Angeles. It’s also available from OK.