The Desk Report: A Study of Desk Habits
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Three in four desk workers fidget while they think, and most of them say it helps.
We asked 93 US adults with desk jobs what their hands usually do while they think or listen on a call. 77% named at least one fidgeting habit. They click or spin a pen (37%), doodle (26%), touch their hair, face, or nails (26%), play with whatever is near (22%), or tap their fingers (19%). About one in four (26%) reaches for a fidget toy, a stress ball, or something like it.
Most of them think it works. 76% of the people we surveyed agree that having something to do with their hands helps them concentrate. Among the people who fidget, 86% agree. Two in three (65%) say that playing with something in their hands helps them think of new ideas.
The same people want time away from the screen. 85% want breaks during the work day that do not involve a screen. When they get stuck, though, most stay where they are: 65% keep working on the problem, 55% ask an AI tool, and 51% search online. Asked which single move helps most, their top answer is to get up and walk.
Most desk workers keep their hands busy while they think
Three numbers from 93 US adults with desk jobs.
For writers and editors: open the text under a card and click it once to select the whole thing, source line included.
77%
fidget while they think
77% of US desk workers surveyed fidget while they think or listen on a call. They click a pen, doodle, tap, or play with whatever is near.
Text to copy
77% of US desk workers surveyed fidget while they think or listen on a call. They click a pen, doodle, tap, or play with whatever is near. (72 of 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
76%
say busy hands help them concentrate
76% of US desk workers surveyed agree that having something to do with their hands helps them concentrate. Among the people who fidget, 86% agree.
Text to copy
76% of US desk workers surveyed agree that having something to do with their hands helps them concentrate. Among the people who fidget, 86% agree. (71 of 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
85%
want breaks without a screen
85% of US desk workers surveyed agree: "During the work day, I want breaks that do not involve a screen."
Text to copy
85% of US desk workers surveyed agree: "During the work day, I want breaks that do not involve a screen." (79 of 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026.
Who Ran This Study, and Who Responded
Olander Earthworks surveyed 100 US adults through Prolific, an online research panel in September 2026. All respondents work full-time or part-time and use a computer or mobile device for 75% or more of their work. This report counts the 93 who work for an employer and work at a desk or table. We set aside 6 people who are self-employed or not working for pay, and 1 person who does not work at a desk.
Of the 93, 36 work fully on site, 30 are hybrid, and 27 are fully remote. Of their desks, 48 are at an employer’s workplace and 45 are at home. The group includes 51 women and 42 men. Ages run from 21 to 67, with a median of 40. Nearly a third (30 of 93) told us they consider themselves neurodivergent, for example ADHD, autism, or dyslexia. That is a large share of the sample, so we show results for that group where it may apply.
Key findings
Seven findings from 93 US adults with desk jobs.
For writers and editors: open the text under a card and click it once to select the whole thing, source line included.
77%
fidget while they think or listen on a call
77% of US desk workers surveyed fidget while they think or listen on a call. One in three of them (24 of 72) uses something made for it, such as a fidget toy or stress ball. The rest use a pen, their own hair, or whatever is near.
Text to copy
77% of US desk workers surveyed fidget while they think or listen on a call. One in three of them (24 of 72) uses something made for it, such as a fidget toy or stress ball. The rest use a pen, their own hair, or whatever is near. (72 of 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
76%
say having something to do with their hands helps them concentrate
76% of US desk workers surveyed say having something to do with their hands helps them concentrate, and 65% say playing with something in their hands helps them think of new ideas.
Text to copy
76% of US desk workers surveyed say having something to do with their hands helps them concentrate, and 65% say playing with something in their hands helps them think of new ideas. (All 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
85%
want breaks during the work day that do not involve a screen
85% of US desk workers surveyed want breaks during the work day that do not involve a screen.
Text to copy
85% of US desk workers surveyed want breaks during the work day that do not involve a screen. (79 of 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
2 of 29
people who look at their phone when stuck say it helps most
When they are stuck at work, 65% of US desk workers surveyed keep working on the problem. The moves most often named as the one that helps most are getting up to walk (23%) and asking an AI tool (22%). 29 people look at their phone when stuck, and 2 say it is what helps most.
Text to copy
When they are stuck at work, 65% of US desk workers surveyed keep working on the problem. The moves most often named as the one that helps most are getting up to walk (23%) and asking an AI tool (22%). 29 people look at their phone when stuck, and 2 say it is what helps most. (93 respondents; 92 named the move that helps most.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
73%
would not feel self-conscious keeping something playful at their desk
44% of US desk workers surveyed keep something playful at their desk and 40% keep something for their hands. 73% would not feel self-conscious about it, and 65% disagree that play should wait until after work.
Text to copy
44% of US desk workers surveyed keep something playful at their desk and 40% keep something for their hands. 73% would not feel self-conscious about it, and 65% disagree that play should wait until after work. (All 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
80%
say their personal desk items help them handle stress
Among US desk workers surveyed who keep personal items at their desk, 80% say those items help them handle stress, 70% say they help their creativity, and 69% say they help their productivity.
Text to copy
Among US desk workers surveyed who keep personal items at their desk, 80% say those items help them handle stress, 70% say they help their creativity, and 69% say they help their productivity. (The 90 who keep personal items at their desk.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
20% to 49%
keep a plant now, and want one on their dream desk
The dream desk holds more living, scented, and handmade things than the real one. Among US desk workers surveyed, 20% keep a plant and 49% want one; 22% keep something scented and 46% want it; 18% keep something handmade and 32% want it. 4 people keep a small sand tray or sand garden, and 20 would put one on their dream desk.
Text to copy
The dream desk holds more living, scented, and handmade things than the real one. Among US desk workers surveyed, 20% keep a plant and 49% want one; 22% keep something scented and 46% want it; 18% keep something handmade and 32% want it. 4 people keep a small sand tray or sand garden, and 20 would put one on their dream desk. (All 93 respondents.) Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
Thinking and Fidgeting at Work
We gave people a list of ten things hands do during a work day and asked them to select each one that describes how they think at work. Several actions can be categorized as fidgeting: clicking, spinning, or tapping a pen; doodling; using a fidget toy, a stress ball, or something like it; playing with whatever is near; tapping fingers; and touching hair, face, or nails. Typing, taking notes, holding a mug, and looking at a phone do not count.
By that rule, 72 of 93 people fidget (77%). The people who fidget named two habits each, on average. Only 5% said their hands mostly stay still. The habit shows up in every kind of workplace: 81% of people who work fully on site, 80% of hybrid workers, and 70% of fully remote workers.
The pen is the most common tool, at 37%. Doodling, a fidget toy or stress ball, and hair, face, or nails follow at 26% each. One in three people who fidget (24 of 72) uses something made for the purpose. The other 48 make do with what is already there, and 25 of the 72 keep nothing playful and nothing made for busy hands at their desk.
What desk workers' hands do while they think
Share who say their hands usually do each of these while they think or listen on a call. People could pick more than one.
Data to copy
Habit,"Percent","Counts as fidgeting" "Type or click on my computer",38,"no" "Take notes by hand",38,"no" "Click, spin, or tap a pen",37,"yes" "Look at my phone",28,"no" "Doodle",26,"yes" "Use a fidget toy, stress ball, or something like it",26,"yes" "Touch my hair, face, or nails",26,"yes" "Hold a mug or cup",23,"no" "Play with whatever is near, such as a paper clip or jewelry",22,"yes" "Tap my fingers",19,"yes" "My hands mostly stay still",5,"no" Base: all 93 respondents Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
77% do at least one of the green habits. One in three of them (24 of 72) uses something made for it.
See the numbers
| Habit | Percent | Counts as fidgeting |
|---|---|---|
| Type or click on my computer | 38% | No |
| Take notes by hand | 38% | No |
| Click, spin, or tap a pen | 37% | Yes |
| Look at my phone | 28% | No |
| Doodle | 26% | Yes |
| Use a fidget toy, stress ball, or something like it | 26% | Yes |
| Touch my hair, face, or nails | 26% | Yes |
| Hold a mug or cup | 23% | No |
| Play with whatever is near, such as a paper clip or jewelry | 22% | Yes |
| Tap my fingers | 19% | Yes |
| My hands mostly stay still | 5% | No |
Most People Say Busy Hands Help Them Concentrate
We asked how much people agree with the statement: “Having something to do with my hands helps me concentrate.” 76% agree, including 20% who agree strongly. 10% disagree.
The people who fidget are the ones who say it helps. Among the 72 people who fidget, 86% agree. Among the 21 who do not, 9 agree. A second statement went further: “Playing with something in my hands helps me think of new ideas.” 65% agree, and among people who fidget the share is 76%.
The pattern is strongest among people who consider themselves neurodivergent. Of those 30 people, 27 say busy hands help them concentrate. They are also more likely to keep something for their hands at their desk (19 of 30, next to 13 of 47 people who say they are not neurodivergent) and to use a fidget toy or stress ball (12 of 30, next to 8 of 47). The belief reaches well past that group, though. Two in three people who do not describe themselves as neurodivergent (31 of 47) agree that busy hands help them concentrate.
Busy hands help most people concentrate
Share who agree: "Having something to do with my hands helps me concentrate."
Data to copy
Group,"Agree (count)","Group size","Percent" "All desk workers",71,93,76 "People who fidget while they think",62,72,86 "People who do not fidget",9,21,43 "Say they are neurodivergent",27,30,90 "Say they are not neurodivergent",31,47,66 Base: all 93 respondents. 15 said they are not sure if they are neurodivergent and 1 preferred not to say; they are not shown in the last two rows Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
Two in three people who do not describe themselves as neurodivergent agree too.
See the numbers
| Group | Agree | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| All desk workers | 71 of 93 | 76% |
| People who fidget while they think | 62 of 72 | 86% |
| People who do not fidget | 9 of 21 | 43% |
| Say they are neurodivergent | 27 of 30 | 90% |
| Say they are not neurodivergent | 31 of 47 | 66% |
What Is on the Desk Now, and What People Would Add
We asked desk workers what type of things they keep at their desk, on it or within reach. A mug or water bottle they chose leads the list (74%), followed by a photo or keepsake (55%) and a lamp they chose (47%). Next, they described playful things. 44% keep something playful, like a desk toy, a puzzle, or an action figure, and 40% keep something to keep their hands busy.
Home desks and office desks look different. Photos and keepsakes sit on 67% of desks at an employer’s workplace and 42% of desks at home. A personal lamp is more common at home (64%) than at work (31%). Playful things are as common at work as at home: 48% of office desks hold something playful, next to 40% of home desks.
Next, we asked people to think about their dream desk and pick from the same list. In the dream desk question, people chose a plant more often (from 20% to 49%), something scented (22% to 46%), a small sand tray or sand garden (4% to 22%), a lamp (47% to 62%), something handmade (18% to 32%), art (28% to 41%), and natural objects like a shell (24% to 37%).
The small sand tray shows the biggest jump from the real desk to the dream desk. Four people keep one now, and twenty would put one on their dream desk. That is five times as many. It is the rarest thing on the list, and 18 of the 20 people who want one do not have one yet.
What is on the desk now, and what people would add
Share who keep each kind of thing at their desk now, and share who would put it on a dream desk. Sorted by the size of the gain. People could pick more than one.
Data to copy
Kind of thing, as worded in the survey,"Keep one now","On the dream desk","Gap in points" "A plant, real or artificial",20,49,29 "A candle, diffuser, or something scented",22,46,24 "A small sand tray, sand garden, or zen garden",4,22,18 "A lamp or lighting I chose myself",47,62,15 "Something handmade, by me or by someone else",18,32,14 "Art, such as a print, drawing, or small sculpture",28,41,13 "Natural objects, such as a stone, crystal, shell, or piece of wood",24,37,13 "Something to keep my hands busy, such as a fidget toy, stress ball, or putty",40,48,8 "Something playful, such as a desk toy, puzzle, or action figure",44,51,7 "A sketchpad, colored pens, or other art supplies",35,35,0 "A mug, cup, or water bottle I chose myself",74,74,0 "A photo or keepsake of people, pets, or places I care about",55,54,-1 "Other (not work equipment)",6,8,2 "None of these",4,1,-3 Base: all 93 respondents Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
The small sand tray shows the biggest jump. 4 people keep one now, and 20 would put one on their dream desk: five times as many.
See the numbers
| Kind of thing, as worded in the survey | Keep one now | On the dream desk | Gap, in points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A mug, cup, or water bottle I chose myself | 74% | 74% | 0 |
| A photo or keepsake of people, pets, or places I care about | 55% | 54% | -1 |
| A lamp or lighting I chose myself | 47% | 62% | +15 |
| Something playful, such as a desk toy, puzzle, or action figure | 44% | 51% | +7 |
| Something to keep my hands busy, such as a fidget toy, stress ball, or putty | 40% | 48% | +8 |
| A sketchpad, colored pens, or other art supplies | 35% | 35% | 0 |
| Art, such as a print, drawing, or small sculpture | 28% | 41% | +13 |
| Natural objects, such as a stone, crystal, shell, or piece of wood | 24% | 37% | +13 |
| A candle, diffuser, or something scented | 22% | 46% | +24 |
| A plant, real or artificial | 20% | 49% | +29 |
| Something handmade, by me or by someone else | 18% | 32% | +14 |
| Other (not work equipment) | 6% | 8% | +2 |
| A small sand tray, sand garden, or zen garden | 4% | 22% | +18 |
| None of these | 4% | 1% | -3 |
What Personal Items Do for People
We asked people to think about the personal items at their desk, such as photos, plants, art, or things to play with, and to leave out work equipment, cups, and mugs. Of the 93 people, 90 keep items like these. We asked how those items affect three things.
80% say their personal items help them handle stress better, including 44% who say much better. 70% say the items help their creativity. 69% say they help their productivity.
People say the personal things at their desk help them
Among the 90 people who keep personal items at their desk. How those items affect each of these.
Data to copy
Area,"Much better","A little better","No difference","Worse" "How well I handle stress",44,36,20,0 "My creativity",28,42,30,0 "My productivity",31,38,29,2 Base: the 90 respondents who keep personal items at their desk Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
No one said their personal items make their creativity or their handling of stress worse. Two people said so for productivity.
See the numbers
| Area | Much better | A little better | No difference | Worse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How well I handle stress | 44% | 36% | 20% | 0% |
| My creativity | 28% | 42% | 30% | 0% |
| My productivity | 31% | 38% | 29% | 2% |
When Desk Workers Get Stuck
We asked what people usually do when they are stuck on a problem or out of ideas at work. The most common approach is to keep working on it (65%). Getting up to walk or step outside comes next (61%), then talking it over with someone (57%), asking an AI tool such as ChatGPT (55%), and searching online (51%).
Next, we asked for the one thing that helps most. Getting up to walk leads (23%), with asking an AI tool one person behind (22%). Talking it over is third (16%).
Most people reach for a screen at some point. 78% turn to at least one screen move when stuck: a search, an AI tool, or their phone. Of the 79 people who want screen-free breaks, 62 reach for a screen when they are stuck. When people name what helps most, moves away from the screen come out ahead: 47% name walking, talking, a drink or snack, writing by hand, or fidgeting.
Fewer than half (46%) agree that they get their best work ideas at their desk.
Asking an AI tool is already a habit across ages. 59% of people under 35 do it when stuck, 48% of people 35 to 49, and 64% of people 50 and over.
Fidgeting sits low on both lists. 22% fidget or play with something when they are stuck, and almost no one names it as the move that helps most. This suggests that people use their hands to stay with a problem, and use their feet, another person, or a new tool to get past one.
Stuck at work: what people do, and what helps most
People could tick every move they use (left) and then pick the one that helps most (right). Read the two lists by their order.
Data to copy
Move, as worded in the survey,"Do this when stuck (%)","Say it helps most (%)","Of those who do it, how many say it helps most" "Keep working on it",65,13,"12 of 60" "Get up and walk, or step outside",61,23,"20 of 57" "Talk it over with someone",57,16,"15 of 53" "Ask an AI tool, such as ChatGPT",55,22,"18 of 51" "Search online, such as Google or YouTube",51,8,"5 of 47" "Get a drink or a snack",46,4,"4 of 43" "Switch to a different task",40,9,"8 of 37" "Look at my phone, such as social media, news, or games",31,2,"2 of 29" "Fidget or play with something at my desk",22,2,"0 of 20" "Write or sketch it out by hand",12,1,"0 of 11" Base: 93 respondents for what people do; 92 named the move that helps most. 8 people named a move they had not ticked in the first question Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
What they do when stuck
The one move that helps most
A walk (21 people) and an AI tool (20) share the top of the list on the right. 29 people look at their phone when stuck, and 2 say it helps most.
See the numbers
| Move, as worded in the survey | Do this when stuck | Say it helps most | Of those who do it, how many say it helps most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep working on it | 65% | 13% | 12 of 60 |
| Get up and walk, or step outside | 61% | 23% | 20 of 57 |
| Talk it over with someone | 57% | 16% | 15 of 53 |
| Ask an AI tool, such as ChatGPT | 55% | 22% | 18 of 51 |
| Search online, such as Google or YouTube | 51% | 8% | 5 of 47 |
| Get a drink or a snack | 46% | 4% | 4 of 43 |
| Switch to a different task | 40% | 9% | 8 of 37 |
| Look at my phone, such as social media, news, or games | 31% | 2% | 2 of 29 |
| Fidget or play with something at my desk | 22% | 2% | 0 of 20 |
| Write or sketch it out by hand | 12% | 1% | 0 of 11 |
For a separate view of screen-free breaks, read The Micro Reset Report, a survey of therapists and allied practitioners. Like this report, it describes reported experiences rather than testing an Olander product.
The Dream Desk, in Their Own Words
The second question in the survey, before any list appeared, asked people to describe their dream desk and what is on it to help them be their best at work through the day. 90 of the 93 described a desk. We sorted answers into themes.
63% want more screens or better tech. 50% want room: a big surface and space to spread out. 37% want order and storage, and 31% want a desk that moves between sitting and standing. A good chair (29%) and good light or a window (20%) follow.
About one in four (24%) named a personal touch, such as photos, plants, a candle, or decorations, and 9% named something playful or something for their hands. The open question shows what comes to mind first. The list that followed shows what people welcome once they see it. Half of the people surveyed then put a plant on the dream desk, and nearly half added something scented or something for their hands.
The dream desk, in their own words
Themes in people's written descriptions of a dream desk, asked before any list appeared. A person counts once per theme.
Data to copy
Theme,"Percent" "More screens or better tech",63 "Room to spread out",50 "Order and storage",37 "A desk that moves between sitting and standing",31 "A good chair and comfort",29 "Paper and pens",27 "A personal touch, such as photos, plants, or a candle",24 "Drinks and snacks",21 "Good light or a window",20 "How it looks and feels",18 "Something playful or something for the hands",9 "Music",8 "Privacy",6 "Movement built in",3 Base: the 90 respondents who described a desk Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
People describe the desk before they describe what sits on it.
See the numbers
| Theme | Percent |
|---|---|
| More screens or better tech | 63% |
| Room to spread out | 50% |
| Order and storage | 37% |
| A desk that moves between sitting and standing | 31% |
| A good chair and comfort | 29% |
| Paper and pens | 27% |
| A personal touch, such as photos, plants, or a candle | 24% |
| Drinks and snacks | 21% |
| Good light or a window | 20% |
| How it looks and feels | 18% |
| Something playful or something for the hands | 9% |
| Music | 8% |
| Privacy | 6% |
| Movement built in | 3% |
The dream desk, in their words
Open the text under a quote and click it once to select it, source line included.
"Would like a comfy chair and set up with multiple monitors. Lofi music playing and fidget toys to keep busy during meetings."
Quote to copy
"Would like a comfy chair and set up with multiple monitors. Lofi music playing and fidget toys to keep busy during meetings." (A hybrid worker in their thirties. Respondent, Olander Earthworks Desk Report survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. Lightly edited for spelling.)
"Standing desk with a treadmill underneath and Legos representing what I love."
Quote to copy
"Standing desk with a treadmill underneath and Legos representing what I love." (An on-site worker in their forties. Respondent, Olander Earthworks Desk Report survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. Lightly edited for spelling.)
"Right now the lighting is very harsh and the mood feels very sterile and cold. I would like for it to be much more cozy and incorporate some plants in the space too."
Quote to copy
"Right now the lighting is very harsh and the mood feels very sterile and cold. I would like for it to be much more cozy and incorporate some plants in the space too." (A remote worker in their forties. Respondent, Olander Earthworks Desk Report survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. Lightly edited for spelling.)
"My ideal desk has room for two monitors and sits in front of a window that overlooks a meadow. My chair is plush and comfortable."
Quote to copy
"My ideal desk has room for two monitors and sits in front of a window that overlooks a meadow. My chair is plush and comfortable." (A hybrid worker in their thirties. Respondent, Olander Earthworks Desk Report survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. Lightly edited for spelling.)
"My desk would be pink, clean and organized. I would have a mini fridge for a crisp Diet Coke, lotion, cute figurines to decorate and a little to-do list."
Quote to copy
"My desk would be pink, clean and organized. I would have a mini fridge for a crisp Diet Coke, lotion, cute figurines to decorate and a little to-do list." (An on-site worker in their thirties. Respondent, Olander Earthworks Desk Report survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. Lightly edited for spelling.)
"My dream desk sits on my lap as I work from my bed. It is large, stable, grippy and lightweight."
Quote to copy
"My dream desk sits on my lap as I work from my bed. It is large, stable, grippy and lightweight." (A hybrid worker in their fifties. Respondent, Olander Earthworks Desk Report survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. Lightly edited for spelling.)
Answers to an open question, lightly edited for spelling. Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, September 2026.
Who Can Keep Personal Items at Work
Of the 93 people, 76 have a desk at an employer’s workplace. Most of them (52) can keep what they like there, and 18 can keep a few things within limits. Three have their own desk but must clear it at the end of each day, a rule many workplaces call a clean desk policy. Three have no desk of their own and use a shared desk or hot desk. 6 people are too few to compare with the rest, so we report them as a count. One hybrid worker described what a shared desk takes away.
Who can keep personal things at a workplace desk
Among the 76 people with a desk at an employer's workplace. Shown as counts of people.
Data to copy
Desk rule,"People" "Can keep what they like",52 "Can keep a few things, within limits",18 "Own desk, cleared each day (clean desk policy)",3 "No desk of their own (shared or hot desk)",3 Base: the 76 respondents with a desk at an employer's workplace. 6 people are too few to compare with the rest, so they are reported as counts Source: Olander Earthworks, The Desk Report, survey of 93 US desk workers, September 2026. A de-identified copy of the data and a codebook are available with this report.
70 of 76 (92%) can keep at least some personal things at their desk.
See the numbers
| Desk rule | People |
|---|---|
| Can keep what they like | 52 of 76 |
| Can keep a few things, within limits | 18 of 76 |
| Own desk, cleared each day (clean desk policy) | 3 of 76 |
| No desk of their own (shared or hot desk) | 3 of 76 |
“I dream of having privacy again in the office. These days, no one has permanent space and everyone comes and goes. Don’t have a place to put personal things and have to drag items back and forth to the office.”
A hybrid worker in their thirties
Setting Up a Desk That Helps You Think: A Quick Reference
- Keep an item for your hands. 77% of desk workers fidget while they think, and most use a pen or whatever is near. If busy hands help you concentrate, as 76% say they do, it makes sense to keep something within reach that your hands can work with.
- Playful items are normal. 44% already keep one, and 73% would not feel self-conscious about it. If a toy feels out of place where you work, a carved object, a stone, or a small sculpture can do the same job quietly.
- Living, scented, and handmade things are what people miss. Those are the largest gaps between the desks people have and the desks they want. A plant is the most wanted thing people do not yet have.
- When you are stuck, try leaving the screen first. People name walking and talking it over as most helpful more often than searching or scrolling. Only 2 of the 29 people who look at their phone when stuck say it helps most.
- If you set the rules for a workplace, let people keep their own things. 92% of people with a desk at work already can, and people who keep personal items credit them with easier stress (80%) and better creativity (70%).
How This Survey Was Conducted
We built the survey in Qualtrics and recruited through Prolific in September 2026. Prolific filters limited the study to adults in the United States who work full-time or part-time, who use a computer or mobile device for 75% or more of their work, and who work on site, hybrid, or remotely.
The de-identified Desk Report dataset and codebook are publicly available through Harvard Dataverse. The dataset contains all 100 responses; this report uses the 93 eligible desk workers described above.
This was an online-panel survey, not a nationally representative sample. The findings describe what respondents reported, not measured changes in concentration, stress, or creativity. They do not establish cause and effect and are not a test of Olander products.
Suggested Citation
Olander Earthworks. (2026). The Desk Report: A Study of Desk Habits. Published September 2026. https://www.olanderearthworks.com/blogs/research-studies-surveys/the-desk-report-a-study-of-desk-habits.
Cite the report
Olander Earthworks. (2026). The Desk Report: A Study of Desk Habits. Published September 2026. https://www.olanderearthworks.com/blogs/research-studies-surveys/the-desk-report-a-study-of-desk-habits
Citation to copy
Olander Earthworks. (2026). The Desk Report: A Study of Desk Habits. Published September 2026. https://www.olanderearthworks.com/blogs/research-studies-surveys/the-desk-report-a-study-of-desk-habits
About Olander Earthworks
Olander Earthworks is a Portland, Oregon studio that has been making handcrafted tactile objects since 2008. Our Wonderscape sets, concrete Sand Spheres, and textured sand wonks are designed to engage the hands and quiet the mind.