How to Make the Most Out of Your Home Office in 2019
Working from home can be great, as long you
keep your office a clutter-free zone. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Purge Paper.
Get a handle on clutter and clear your space
to let the productivity flow. Go through all that paper and separate it into
three piles: toss, file, or to-do. Review the papers in your file pile to see
if you can scan and store any digitally, making sure to back them up regularly.
Be sure to shred any papers with sensitive information in your toss pile.
Create a Color-Coded Filing System
We recognize colors faster than words, so adopt a color-coded filing system
for all the papers you can’t digitize. Some useful categories are financial,
medical, personal, insurance, pet, auto, home, and manuals. On your computer,
sort your files using the same categories and colors to keep things simple.
Organize Your Bookshelf
Take inventory of every book you have, returning any stray library books or
ones you borrowed from friends. Decide which ones you want to keep, which you
can donate, and which belong at home but not in your office. If you store your
books in your home office in an open bookshelf or bookcase, sort them by color
to add an attractive design element to the space.
Use Space Creatively
Limited space requires making sure every inch serves a purpose. Look above
and behind items and go vertical. Use wall space to hang a calendar, whiteboard
or shelf. Hang a magazine rack behind a door for extra filing.
Go Wireless
Cables are messy and hard to tame, so opt for
wireless electronics whenever possible, including your printer, mouse, and
keyboard. They’ll also give you more freedom — you’ll be able to type from
whatever position is most comfortable for you, and you can place your printer
anywhere in the room instead of taking up valuable desk space.
Choose Functional Furniture.
Tables, chairs and filing cabinets with wheels
provide loads of flexibility, allowing you to rearrange your space as needed
for different tasks and projects. Avoid desks with large, deep drawers or
office armoires as they hide things and can encourage disorganization. Think
open concept with great accessories to keep you organized every day.
Avoid Overloading
A crowded work area fosters mental clutter and
hurts creativity. Once your space reaches the limit of what it can be
comfortably and neatly stored, adopt the “one in – one out” rule. This means
for everything you bring in, one similar item must go out and applies to books,
office supplies, and furniture.
Set Aside 10 Minutes
The best thing you can do to keep your office in tip-top shape is to set aside
10 minutes at the end of each day to straighten things out. Recycle scrap
papers, jot down to-do items in your agenda, and tidy your desk. Keeping this
small commitment to yourself is an easy way to maintain an organized home
office and set yourself up for success tomorrow.