How to Organize Your Home Office So You Can Get More Done
A home office can be designed for the work-at-home employee and also for the person who pays bills, keeps records, answers mail and e-mail. Home offices can also be used by and designed for students. Let’s learn how to organize your home office so you can get more done!
The first step when learning how to organize your home office is to figure out what your needs are. Think about what type of furniture, equipment, and privacy you’ll need and whether visitors will come into the office.
Organize Your Office with an Armoire and a Message Board
If you are creating an office in the corner of another room, try to blend the workspace with the rest of the room and keep it clutter-free. You can disguise your office by using an armoire. The doors open and it has shelves to store your equipment and supplies.
You can also put an office in a closet. The closet should be at least 24 inches deep, and you may have to add an electrical outlet. Use a stock desktop and install shelves to hold your supplies. Be sure to add a file cabinet, paper trays, and a message board to customize the office space. For a file cabinet, you could use a storage ottoman, side table, or wooden box instead of an unattractive file cabinet.
Incorporate File Cabinets and Drawer Organizers
If you have a room that is used only as a home office, you have more flexibility in organizing and decorating it. Invest in furniture that maximizes storage (you’ll always need more room than you think!) and keeps everything you need within reach of your chair-no farther than 2 feet away. Keep books on your desktop or shelf and files in a file cabinet or box near your chair.
A drawer can be used to store pens, pencils, stamps, and paper clips. A drawer organizer will help keep things in order inside the drawer. You could also use a desk organizer to store these items on the desktop.
Organize Your Home Office with Wire Organizers and a Paper Tray
Tame the wires of electrical equipment by running them up the leg and holding them in place with velcro strips. There are also wire organizers that can be purchased to help keep them out of the way.
Place a tray on the desktop to keep papers organized.
Use a Shredder and Magazine Holders
If you add a trash can and a shredder to the office, it will help keep the desktop from getting cluttered. Be sure to trash or shred any papers you don’t need.
Cardboard containers work well for hidden storage, and magazine holders are great for holding magazines upright. Once the magazine holders are full, begin purging old issues to reduce clutter.
You will find out that once you learn how to organize your home office, you will be able to spend your time working instead of searching for items or papers. When your home office feels good to be in, you’ll become more productive.
Which is your favorite organizing tip for the home office? Are there any tips you would like to include in your home office? Let me know in the comments below! 🙂
*Disclosure: SimpLeigh Organized uses affiliate links at no extra cost to you. If you’d like to read more about our disclosure policy, click here.
Related Articles:
love these ideas! have been thinking of turning a closet into an office, makes my wheels turn for my next project. 🙂
I’m glad the post inspired you! Thanks for commenting 🙂
OMG! I love the credenza behind the desk in this picture! 🙂 Cabinets with drawers and doors are GREAT in an office setting. They keep the necessary clutter hidden.
I know! I love that credenza as well…I am on the hunt to find one just like it! Thanks for stopping by!
I have see such cute closets converted into offices!! My guest bedroom doubles as the office since I rarely have guests.
Hi Heather! I really like converting closets into offices. It really helps when space is tight. Turning a guest bedroom into an office is a great use of space if you don’t have a dedicated study/office in your home. The bedroom can also perform double duty as an office and guest bedroom (like yours!) Thanks for your comment. 🙂