Those of you that have an office or workstation in your home know how hard it is to keep this space tidy and organized. With all the projects you’re working on in this space, it’s very easy to let things pile up on your desk or even the floor around it. Instead of being a place to get work done, this space can quickly turn into an untidy, stressful environment where work is hard to concentrate on. With a little planning and organization, however, you can easily make your home office or workstation into a productive place and keep it that way.
Identify What You Need for Work
Naturally, your desk at home may tend to accrue non-work related items. One of the top tips for organizing your desk and maintaining a clean desk space is to identify items that aren’t used to complete work tasks and find a new home for them. Gathering and moving them from your work desk provides the foundation to move forward with a clutter-free home office. Place the non-work related items in either an area that they belong or, if you’re short on storage space, try renting a self-storage unit. An extra storage space might be just what you need to keep your home office organized and your belongings in a safe place for when you need them.
Home Office Organization Ideas
Once all non-work related items are cleared from your desk, you can now begin to organize office items to keep your space clutter-free.
Here are some ideas to help get started:
1. Only keep the essentials on top of your desk. Whenever possible, stick to the basics like a computer monitor and phone on your desktop. This will help you to keep your desk tidy.
2. Keep important items at hand. Make sure to store important items within easy reach so that you don’t have to go too far from your desk to get them.
3. Consider which office supplies you will use the most. Keep those supplies within reach as you organize your office supplies. Opt for a printer table that can fit a filing cabinet underneath, offering storage for printer paper, envelopes, and more.
4. Use a filing system to store important papers. This works much better than making piles. Make sure to label files and drawers for easy access later on.
5. Try a corner desk. When space is tight, a corner desk or two tables pushed together in a corner can make some extra room to work in.
6. Go vertical. Another way to maximize a small space is to make the most of vertical space by installing shelving.
7. Manage cables. Wires can be a pain in a small office space. Use a cable management solution such as a mountable wire tray or cable sleeve to condense and pull cables out of sight, and don’t be afraid to use zip ties in order to keep things tidy. Using wireless printers and other equipment in the office can also make a big difference.
8. Use a board. Use a corkboard or a whiteboard to organize loose papers and make notes for yourself. A wall calendar is also a good idea for keeping you organized.
9. Get a good office chair. If you’re going to be sitting in your office for more than a couple minutes at a time, make sure that you have a quality chair to sit in. A good office chair should provide adequate back support.
10. Organize your CDs, DVDs, and computer software. A CD binder allows easy access that doesn’t take up much room.
11. Use a shredder. A good shredder solves two problems at once, it helps you to get rid of excess papers and it helps protect you from identity theft by destroying documents with personal information.
12. Invest in a label maker. If you have a storage solution for your desk, such as a filing cabinet, create defined boundaries for what items belong where. One way to ensure that this stays consistent over time is to buy a label maker and label each drawer or storage area. Clear labeling of your office supplies will ensure you have quick, easy access to whatever you need, while also discouraging messiness down the road.
13. Leverage a storage system that hooks onto the back of the door. Shoe organizers can double as storage systems for everything from arts and crafts to scissors, tape measures, and other tools.
14. Add more storage with baskets, decorative hampers, or storage ottomans. All of these storage systems allow you to keep important office items close at hand but mostly out of sight. Store your business receipts, “to-do” pile, and other things right nearby without overloading your desk.
15. Create an office supply organizer in your closet. If your small office has a closet, take advantage of the space to the fullest capacity. Consider all kinds of closet organizers to find the one that best fits the supplies you’ve kept on hand.
16. End the day/work session with a clean desk. If you make an effort to tidy up when you are done working, it will make it easier to come back and work next time.
Storage Is the Solution
For all of the items you removed from your home office, incorporate them into existing storage around your home containing similar items, or create new storage that is clearly labeled. If you find you need a bit more space to store those items, consider a storage unit at your local Price Self Storage facility.
Our Free Concierge Service will connect you with a storage professional who can help you assess your storage needs and provide you with clear storage options. With just a few easy questions, your storage unit will be reserved and waiting for you. For more organization ideas and storage tips, check out our blog!
