If you’re reading this, chances are that you’ve decided to declutter your home office. But, you can’t figure out where to start. Did you know that decluttering your home office enables you to focus better on your work and be more productive?
In this article, we’ll give you seven actionable tips on how you can organize your workspace and create a productive home office. Let’s get started!
So how do you declutter your Home Office?
1. Assess the Mess
So, you have decided to organize your workspace step by step. The first thing to do is to take an inventory of the situation. Take a few minutes, observe the entire office or space that you use. Be sure to identify key clutter areas, and look up and down to check all corners and shelves.
Next, visualize what a decluttered office looks like for you. This step will help you prioritize what problem areas hinder your productivity. Now that you have a mental picture of what needs to be done, you’re ready to start with your home office decluttering project.
2. Clear Your Desk to Declutter your Home Office
The first place to start is your desk. Start by removing every item and categorizing them. You can use three empty boxes to make this easier. Label these boxes “keep”, “throw” and “relocate”.
Wipe down your desk thoroughly and arrange your desk essentials. If you don’t use an item regularly, move it to a new place in your home where you need it and will use it or a storage box.
At the end of this exercise, what you’ll have is a workspace free of clutter. When you remove the excess and declutter your home office, you improve your focus.
Have a read of Ann’s way to keep her remote workspace clutter-free—see her guest post called ‘From my Desk’.
3. Sort and Purge
Remember how you sorted the items on your desk? One of the most important declutter tips to reduce office clutter is to sort the items into “keep”, “donate/sell” or “trash” piles.
You can also use boxes for this step. To easily identify the categories, you can label them with a marker.
If you feel overwhelmed trying to declutter your home office, take a break! Depending on the clutter, it might take some time. Remember, you don’t have to do it all in one day—sort and purge a little at a time.
4. Create Storage Solutions
If you’re wondering how to arrange the many items in your home office, and maximize space, then this next step is for you.
Let’s look at three of the best home office storage solutions tips:
- Invest in organizers: Office organizers are a great way to reduce mess, create floor space, and give your home office an appealing look. Have a look at our articles on desk organizers and filing cabinets, for more ideas on organizing your things.
- Label clearly: Proper labeling ensures that all your stuff is grouped into categories making it easy to find an item when the need arises. And it definitely helps you save time and allows you to focus on your tasks. We’ve highlighted some ways labelling can help with organizing your office.
- Utilize vertical spaces: Vertical storage solutions like shelves or wall-mounted organizers help to maximize space while providing storage for a large number of items. Plus, they also enhance the aesthetic of your office.
5. Tame the Paperwork
A large amount of clutter can be caused by paper documents. To solve this problem, create a filing system that works for you. For example, you can try color-coding your files and folders so you know where to find your documents. You can also file documents chronologically or alphabetically. So, try a couple of options and settle on what you’re most comfortable with and what works for you.
Alternatively, you can scan and store documents on your computer or in the cloud. A digital filing system will not just get rid of excess paper documents but will also free up some space in your home office.
6. Organize Cables and Tech
Working from home means having the right tech gadgets to make your work easier and more effective. One of the downsides of tech gadgets is that you have tangled cables on your floor and around your desk. Apart from adding to the clutter, these cables can cause tripping accidents.
To solve this issue, carefully untangle all your cables, and identify and sort them. Damaged cables go into the trash. If you find cables you haven’t used in a while, roll them neatly, label them and keep them in your storage cabinets.
Use cable ties or Velcro straps to keep your cables neat and tangle-free. Label cords to easily identify the tech they belong to.
Additionally, store away tech gadgets you don’t use regularly. A tech decluttering will elevate your home office tech setup and give you more control over your gadgets and cables.
7. Personalize and Maintain Your Space
Once you are done with the process to declutter your home office. It should look neater, more spacious, and clutter-free. To create a space that lifts your spirits and welcomes you in, try adding a personal touch. In other words, this is a chance to get your creative juices flowing. You can decorate with plants, framed pictures, or wall art to beautify the space. Add some color and texture to make it an inviting space you want to spend time in.
Also, to maintain a clutter-free space, spend a few minutes a day tidying up. Always put items in their right places to maintain order. You don’t want to have to declutter your home office again too soon!
Keep it simple
Maintaining a clutter-free space doesn’t have to be a headache. By assessing the mess, sorting and purging items in your office, taming paperwork, organizing cables and tech, and personalizing your home office, you’ll have a productive workspace free of stress.
Decide to declutter your home office today, and enjoy a stress-free work environment.
Looking for more help with decluttering and organizing? Head to our Pinterest page for more ideas and tips to keep your home office organized!
