Five Things to Do First to Organize Your Home Office:
As working from home becomes more common, it’s essential to organize your home office to make it functional, productive and efficient. Nevertheless, getting started can feel overwhelming. To help you kickstart the process, here are five practical and easy steps to follow to organize your home office.
If you are reading this, then you are ready to do the physical work to get your home office ship-shape and working well for you. If you still feel overwhelmed by the scale of the task – that’s okay – we’ve got you… So, here are the five SIMPLE steps to help get you started on the path to getting an organized home office.
Let’s get it sorted!
Step 1: Assess Your Workspace
Before you start to organize your home office, spend some time assessing your workspace. First, check the layout, lighting, and possible distractions. Then, take stock of your existing furniture and equipment, and think about what you might need to create the ideal work environment. For instance, are you aiming for space-saving furniture to maximize a corner of your living area, or are you transforming a spare room into a work-from-home haven? Are you happy with the office desk and chair you have or are they not ergonomic and cause aches and pains? Additionally, make a list of items you already have and another list of what you still need.
For more basic steps check out our article called “How to create your ideal home office“.
To help you think through the essentials, click the link below to download our FREE Home Office Furniture Essentials Checklist!
Step 2: Declutter and Organize your Home Office
Next, clear out the clutter before you start rearranging furniture or adding new items. Above all, don’t skip this crucial early step to organize your home office. There are many great resources and methods for decluttering. The key is to just dive in. Pick up an item—any item—and decide its fate: file it, move it to another room, donate it, or throw it away. Moreover, if you need a boost to get started, try our approach to organize your home office 2 minutes at a time.
Start by removing unnecessary items and clutter from your workspace. For example, go through paperwork, office supplies, and other objects, keeping only what you use. Ask yourself, do you need three staplers or that unused planner from 2014? Give them to your kids for scrap paper or recycle them. Clear them out of your space to free up your physical and mental environment. Grab large cardboard boxes, and transfer everything off your desk into the boxes. Keep the piles intact since we understand you might have a system
within the chaos. Label the boxes with their origin, contents, and date. This way, you create space to start organizing while working through the piles at your own pace.
Step 3: Establish an Organization System
After that, establish an organization system that works for you. Whether it’s a filing system for paperwork or digital folders for digital documents, choose a system that suits your workflow. In addition, invest in storage solutions like shelves, filing cabinets, or desk organizers to keep your workspace tidy and functional. A key part of an organization system is a Planner. A daily planner, a weekly planner in paper form, or even an online planner will help with time management and keep your productivity high. Read more about how a Planner can organize your day and improve your time management. Click here to find out how to best store small office supplies, and here if you want ideas for the best desk organizers.
Step 4: Optimize Your Workstation
Functionality is most important, and this can happen just as well with reused and repurposed folders and files. Not only is this great for the environment but good for your pocket. Just make sure to label everything clearly. We’ve found a great FREE resource for Lever Arch Spine labels.
Create designated zones for different categories of items to streamline your workflow. It’s so important that we’re going to say it again; be sure to label everything clearly to make it easy to find what you need!
A comfortable and ergonomic workstation is crucial for maintaining your health and productivity. Set up your chair and desk to support good posture and reduce strain. Adjust your chair and desk height to find the most comfortable typing and viewing positions. Arrange your computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse to minimize strain on your neck, shoulders, and wrists.
We have so many more ideas on this, so do check out our Desk Organization section for lots more suggestions. Additionally, try a standing desk! Check out our reviews of our Five Favorite Standing Desks.
Step 5: Personalize and Inspire
Finally, add personal touches to your home office to make it feel more inviting and inspiring. Decorate with plants, artwork, or motivational quotes to enhance the ambiance of your workspace. If you work best in a minimalist, neutral space, then embrace that. If you prefer to be surrounded by your children’s artwork and bright colors, then make it happen. This is your space where you will be spending lots of time. You want to look up from your keyboard and see something that puts a smile on your face. Whether that’s a beautifully blank wall to calm your mind, or a splash of color to energize you, make the choices that work for you.
In conclusion, whatever you choose, make a commitment to keep your workspace organized and clutter-free to maintain a functional and focused environment conducive to productivity.
You can do this!
Follow these five steps to create a well-organized and efficient home office that supports your work-from-home needs. Remember, staying organized is an ongoing process, so regularly maintain your workspace to keep it functioning at its best. With a little effort and attention to detail, you can turn your home office into a space that brings your work-from-home dreams to life. Looking for more inspiration – check out our latest articles. Did you know we are on Pinterest – have a look!
