Help! How do I avoid living with a messy, crammed desk?

[HowLongToXmas]

Moving forward I will be working from home. I use a small-ish laptop. My desk isn't huge (about 60 by 25 inches) and I'm happy with that because the bigger the desk, the more stuff I will pile on it.

How do you ensure you have a clear, tidy desk? Do you invest in filing bits? If so, what type? I have some drawers under the desk but I also have current paperwork that needs my attention and if I put it in a drawer I'll forget about it.

Usually I like to have my phone, a box of tissues, some pens, pencils, scissors, hair clips, and other bits on my desk, beside my laptop. As well as a cup of coffee and some water.

Any ideas re how to have a nice, 'serene' home office environment, will be very gratefully received. Thank you!

How about a shelf or two above with a mix of essentials (paperwork) and attractive things (plant, paperweight, inspirational picture kind of things) on it. Pencils / pens / scissors / phone in the top drawer or get an attractive pen holder. Although the DDs have cleaned jamjars stuffed with colour coordinated pens and pencils on their art table and they look nice so doesn't need to be fancy.