Whether you work entirely from home, or whether you only use your home office part-time, home office organization is essential to creating a productive work environment. An organized home office is like a breath of fresh air, so if you are looking to de-clutter and organize your home office, try these 5 home office organization tips:
1. Define Your Space
It is essential to clearly define your workspace, whether you have an entire room or a kitchen corner dedicated to your home office. For many work-at-home moms, it is necessary to have their children with them in their home offices during the day. However, it is essential to keep your children's toys in designated zones and not on your desk. On the flip side, you should keep your work items and home office supplies out of common living areas. Defining a separate workspace, apart from your personal living space, not only will keep you organized, but also will make you more productive.
2. Write to Remember
Whether you prefer to use a planner, make a to-do list, or jot your thoughts down on a napkin, do whatever it takes to transfer your thoughts to paper. This is one of the easiest tricks for home office organization. Writing down your thoughts will keep moments like "wait, what was I supposed to do?" and "where did I put that?" from happening. You can also schedule time to clean your home office to ensure that it stays neat and organized.
3. Keep Your Desk Clean
Your office computer desk is where you spend the most time in your home office, so it is essential to keep it clean. Once a week throw away old sticky notes and unnecessary documents. Organize your desk by finding a place for everything, and put items in their proper place once you have finished with them. Keeping your office computer desk clean also means organizing and hiding away cables and wires from office equipment. It is also helpful to make a cleaning check list to remind yourself of your weekly home office cleaning. Use envelopes, dividers or letter holders to organize small paper items or mail you'll need quick access to.
4. Make the Best Use of Your Desk
Large desks can be a luxury, but they can also be great places for clutter to thrive. Utilize your large desk space by keeping it free of clutter. You should also have proper home office supplies like a pen holder, mail organizer, and filing station. If you have a small desk, keep bulkier items like computer towers and printers on the floor or on a small side table. You should also prioritize your desk accessories by keeping regularly used items like pens and memo pads at close range, and keep items used less frequently in a drawer.
5. Designate Work Stations
Divide your home office into zones for maximum home office organization. Keep printing supplies separate from filed documents, and keep current to-do's on your desk. You should also create a mini library for reference materials and professional books, so that you can access them easily. Place bills and mail in plain view, and leave a clean work space for your keyboard, mouse, pen, and paper.
Maintaining an organized home office will make you feel productive and accomplished. If you define your space, write to remember, keep your desk clean, make the best use of your desk, and designate work stations, you will be well on your way to an organized home office.
