Anyone that works from home knows the potential chaos that is the home office. The home office is the place where one spends most of the day – so if this space is a complete mess with all sorts of things piled up on the desk and shelves, how could any work possibly get done? A hectic home office definitely harms productivity.
No one enjoys hunting for things under piles of papers – this shouldn’t be an everyday routine. Many people don’t organize their home office due to laziness, fear, and even procrastination. But, apply some of these clever, space-saving ideas to help de-clutter that home office and get back to work!
Where to start
Creating an efficient, organized workspace can be a daunting task – so daunting that it can be difficult to figure out where to start. The best way to get started is to empty the room. Once the room is empty, it’s easier to picture the placement of different objects, furniture and shelves. If the home office isn’t a dedicated room, but a portion of another room, clear out that corner and start from scratch. The goal is to make a space where you can get the done without mixing it up with everything else in the house.
Smart storage
In order to make sense of the chaos, one needs to be smart about storage and clear out all that clutter! This means using multifunctional pieces such as a desk with built-in storage and even a storage ottoman as a chair. It’s the small details that make the most difference – like matching storage boxes in neutral or calming tones – to bring a sense of calm order to the workspace. Using a pegboard to make frequently used supplies easy to grab is also a fun and organized way to save space.
Use the walls
Yes, the walls are a great place for a clock, corkboard, and calendar – perhaps a few paintings or photos. But, walls are also excellent organizational tools for the home office, especially one that is short on space. Make smart use of vertical wall space by installing functional yet fashionable shelves. Opt for sleek modern shelves that aren’t overly ornate. These will be excellent for files, office supplies, docking stations, and even computer peripherals. It might even be a good idea to install some shelves over doorways, for those less used items and files.
Improve the lighting
One might ponder how lighting fits into tips on saving space in the home office? It doesn’t unless it means installing a wall lamp to clear out floor space. But, improving the lighting will energize the space and make it more productive. So, get a better desk lamp, throw out those dusty curtains, and install some shutters. Shutters come in plenty of unique colors and finishes and will not only brighten up the room but also add to the organized and put-together look of the room.
Creating an organized home office space is possible with minimal fuss – one just might need that extra push to get started. But, once the job is done, it can make working from home even more beneficial than before!