Welcome to the home office. A black hole collapsing inward on itself. A landing place for everything that doesn’t seem to have a real home. Odds and ends, useless charging cords, old coffee cups awash in a sea of paperwork. Does this sound familiar? If so, the task of organizing such a space might feel overwhelming, however, by following a few simple tips you can tame the desk monster lurking down the hall.
Let’s get started!
Simple Tips to Organize your Home Office
Say adios to clutter
The first step to organizing your home office is decluttering. Start by removing everything that doesn’t belong there. Stacks of books and magazines, decorative items that are taking up too much space, dead batteries and electronics that are no longer working. Essentially, anything that doesn’t contribute to your work productivity, can take a hike.
A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used something in a year, it has officially become a dust-collector, toss it.
Tame the cord monsters
It’s time to say goodbye to that pile of mystery cords in your top desk drawer. If you don’t know what it plugs into, it’s time to let it go. Yes, even that USB cable you are convinced might one day be useful.
And don’t forget that snake pit of tangled cords lurking under the desk. It’s time to get serious and invest in some cable organizers, labels, or, at the very least, use some good old-fashioned zip ties. Label everything. Otherwise, you’ll be playing “Which Charger Belongs to What?” every time your laptop is about to die.
Clear some space
When you walk into your office, you want to feel refreshed and ready to work in a space that is neat and orderly. If your first thought is to grab lighter fluid and a match, it’s time to make some changes.
Your desk should be a place of productivity. Keep only essential items on your desk: your computer, a notepad, a lamp, and possibly a plant that you will probably forget to water. Everything else should be stored in drawers or on shelves.
Purge the paper
It’s time to sort and consolidate the piles of paperwork that are causing you stress. Begin by creating a filing system that will keep you organized. Sort through the papers and group similar documents together into categories such as; "important," "semi-important" and "not important but afraid to throw away."
Consider scanning documents and filing them electronically if you are able. This eliminates clutter on your desk and allows for easier retrieval. If you simply must keep the paper, consider purchasing color-coded folders that can be labeled and stored in a filing cabinet.
Last but not least, it’s time to tackle the sticky note nightmare plaquing your desk. Sure, sticky notes can be helpful at times. But most times, they create a visual mess that is more overwhelming than helpful – potentially hindering your ability to find important details quickly.
Consider moving your sticky note information to a digital note-taking app like Evernote or Apple Notes where you can organize and find information quickly. If you are a "paper person" who prefers handwritten notes to screen time, use a dedicated notepad to organize everything that needs to be accomplished.
Be shelf-ish
Adding shelves to your office is a great way to maximize your space and add a decorative element as well. Shelves are a great way to store books, office supplies, and even your nifty collection of Star Wars mugs. Use storage bins or baskets to keep small items in check. Create descriptive labels for each one. Avoid using "miscellaneous" as a category unless you enjoy rummaging for hours to find those extra USB drives.
Sit on it
It’s time to stop using your wooden dining room chair as an office chair. Let’s face it, we spend a lot of time on our derriere. The national average suggests that office workers spend approximately 17,000 hours a year in office chairs.
All that sitting can be a real pain in the butt… and back and our joints as well. Consider investing in a decent office chair, preferably something ergonomic that minimizes the strain on your body.
Lastly, resist the urge to use your chair as extra storage for balancing a week’s worth of laundry. Regularly placing extra items on your chair can lead to mechanical issues which might affect the ability to adjust it properly.
See the light
Proper lighting is essential in your workspace. If your home office feels more like entering a haunted house, it’s time to add a good desk lamp. Be sure to be thoughtful when positioning lighting. Avoid the "creepy factor" on conference calls by evenly illuminating your face without harsh shadows.
Keep it up
Finally, set a reminder to clean your office weekly. Dust your keyboard, wipe down your desk, and deal with those stray items that mysteriously keep finding their way into your space. There will always be rogue papers, a pen that disappears the moment you need it, and a cable that refuses to stay untangled. The goal is progress, not perfection.
At the end of the day, remember that no office is ever perfectly organized. So, take a deep breath, clear some space, and try your best to keep it that way. Your future self will thank you for it.
Happy organizing!
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Photo courtesy Pixabay/ClickerHappy
Barbara Bauer is a Georgia-based blogger obsessed with inspiring others in the pursuit of self-development. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, drinking way too much coffee, and speaking with a British accent whenever possible.
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