People often see the home office as somewhere to work when you can’t get to the actual office. But it’s not just that — it’s a place you organize your professional life so you can get more done at home.
However, spaces like home offices can be a little tricky: They need to strike the right balance between being a space that feels professional and organized without feeling too much like the basement or attic. After all, you probably wouldn’t bring your clients there for a meeting.
If your home office is more of a hot eyesore than a valuable workspace, read on for some insider tips on how to reorganize your home office and make it work harder for you.
1. Declutter and Organize Your Desk
A clean working area boosts productivity and productivity by 84%. A messy desk can be a distraction and make it difficult to find what you need.
Take time to clear off your desk and discard any unnecessary items. Then, organize the remaining items into groups so you know where everything is. It’ll make you more efficient and effective when working at your desk.
A decluttered and organized desk can make a world of difference in your productivity and focus. Plus, it’ll make it easier to clean and keep your desk free of clutter. So take the time to tidy up your workspace and enjoy the benefits of a clean desk!
2. Incorporate Storage and Organization Pieces
For many people, home offices are just extra rooms where they can put their stuff. But if you truly want your home office to be where you can get work done, you must make it comfortable and inviting. That means you need to invest in storage and organization pieces that will make your home office feel more like a cozy oasis and less like a place where you put your junk.
For instance, build a place where you can easily tuck away your papers and other work items when you’re done.
3. Add in Some Greenery
Having greenery in your home office can help you feel more relaxed and focused. It’s a great way to add color, too — which can be helpful if you’re trying to create a more professional and organized look with motivational frames.
You can put it in a plant pot and place it on your desk, bookshelf, (or elsewhere in your home office). If you have a window, you can put it outside on your windowsill. Go to your local dollar store and pick up a few small plants for less money.
4. Add a Pop Color
You can choose any color you want (as long as it fits with your overall home decor). Just choose a bold paint color for your walls, or you can bring in accent pieces like throw pillows or rugs.
You can also add color to your office supplies or a wall painting or poster. You don’t need to spend much money to add color to your home office. You can find inexpensive items like throw pillows or rugs at your local dollar store or resale shop.
5. Install Blackout Curtains
Blocking out light is essential when trying to make your home office your own little space. Many people have home offices in rooms that get a lot of light — which can be great during the day but terrible at night.
If you have a lot of light coming into your home office, you’ll find it hard to focus and get productive. Blackout curtains are great if you’re trying to keep your children’s bedroom silent. They’re often very affordable and can turn your home office into a place where you get things done.
6. Invest in Ergonomic Helpers
Investing in ergonomic accessories and furniture items can help prevent pain and injuries. If you have an old desk or chair, you may want to consider replacing it. You can also look into ergonomic accessories that can help you with the way you work.
For example, you may want wrist support if you type a lot at your desk. Or maybe get a headset if you spend a lot of time on the phone. These tools aren’t cheap, but they’re definitely worth the cost.
7. Out With the Bad, In With the Good
Now that we’ve talked about ways to make your home office more productive and organized, it’s time to tackle the most significant problem people have in their home offices: Stuff. Bringing in new and improved home office organization and productivity tools isn’t enough if you don’t also do something about all the stuff you already have in your home office.
You may have many old paper files or boxes you need to organize or digitize. Maybe you have boxes and stuff you don’t need. You may also have old furniture that isn’t ergonomic or even unsafe. The answer is simple: Get rid of the unhelpful stuff and bring in the needed ones.
Wrapping Up
When organizing your home office, you have two options: Either start fresh and throw everything away and start with new, more efficient systems, or you can try to incorporate your existing systems into your new home office layout.
If you start fresh, you’ll throw away many things — which can be challenging. If you have sentimentally valuable items you don’t want to get rid of, you’ll have to find ways to incorporate them into your new organization system.
It can be pretty overwhelming to try to organize your home office. That’s why many people like to hire professional organizers. They can help you figure out what you need and identify the best ways to organize your home office and keep it that way.
BIO: My name is Olivia Parks, and I am the owner of Professional Organizers Baton Rouge. We help families and individuals organize and declutter the different spaces in their homes for a more peaceful and stress-free life!
