If you work from home, you already know that the home office is a place where disorganization can build up quickly. Since maintaining a well-organized home office is important if you want to stay productive, it makes sense to spend some time taking control of this area of the home. L & B Closets can help by creating the home office storage system of your dreams. In the meantime, or if you already have your custom office and need tips on keeping it organized, try some of these strategies.
Find the Right Space for Your Home Office
If you have a room that you are already using as a home office , then your job on this step might be done... or it might not be. You’re going to want to be sure that you are comfortable in your space, particularly if you are working from home full-time. If you are in a room that is cramped, too warm, too cold, windowless, or otherwise not ideal, then you might want to look around your home to see if another area would make a better office. When you are comfortable, you are more likely to care enough about the area to get it (and keep it) organized.
If you do not have a dedicated home office, then you have the task of finding an area where you can work. This will, of course, depend on how your home is currently set up, what rooms you have, whether you have young children or pets who might be in the area while you are working, whether you have clients come to visit you, and so on. If you have teleconference meetings with clients or coworkers, consider what is behind you. Think about the noise levels and the lighting levels. Any area of the home can be modified into a home office, but before you begin doing that, you’ll want to see if you can find a space that doesn’t have a lot of work to be done in terms of the basics: lighting, sound, background visuals, temperature, and so on.
Be Sure the Office is Ergonomically Designed
Over the last several decades, it has become apparent that designing office furniture and the office itself to complement the human range of motion will make you much more comfortable and productive in the office. Not adhering to these ergonomic details can have negative health effects: You might develop carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain, back injuries, and other issues. It’s also come to light in recent years that sitting too long can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other various health problems.
Make sure that you can easily reach the items that you will need most frequently. Place the office supplies you use in drawers that are close by to where you will be sitting (or standing). Consider a standing desk if you find that you are working for long stretches of time. While you shouldn’t remain in one position all day, switching between sitting and standing can improve your health. A desk that is adjustable will allow you to use the same home office organization system while you are sitting or standing at any given time.
Use Your Space Creatively
Think about the items that you use during the course of your workday as well as the items that you keep in the office but don’t need to access on a daily basis. In most situations, the items you use most should be kept closest to you, if possible. Office cabinets can keep some of these items overhead, while shelving and drawers are easy to reach while you are sitting at your desk. You might also want a wall of shelves, drawers, or cabinets (or a combination of all three) on the opposite side of the room. This can help motivate you to get up and down periodically.
Remember to try to make things easier on yourself. Ask your home office designer about pull-out shelves, which can make it simpler to reach items without getting up when you are in the midst of an important project. Think about your organizing style: Do you prefer to have items in sight rather than behind a door or in a drawer? In that case, you might do better with a larger workspace that can accommodate your frequently used supplies right on top. Bulletin boards and other wall-based storage right near your desk are other great options.
Make Your Office Appealing to the Senses
Put simply, if you aren’t comfortable and happy in your office, you aren’t going to want to spend time there. This can lead to disorganization, poor morale, and a lack of productivity, all of which will make you want to spend even less time in the room. Don’t let this happen. Think about your senses and what appeals to you.
- Choose finishes that you find attractive. Your L & B home office designer will have lots of options for you to choose from. You can also add pops of color in the artwork or accessories in the room.
- Make sure your office smells good. Candles (the flameless type are best), potpourri, plug-in air fresheners, and fresh flowers are nice additions.
- Choose a chair that you find comfortable. You might want to sometimes work in a recliner or from a couch if you have those available in the office and you have work that can be done in a lounging position.
- Add soothing or invigorating sounds. Whether you work best with classical music, hard rock, or a white noise machine in the background, add whatever sounds you need to be more productive.
Spend Time Each Day Tidying Your Home Office
The most important tip for how to keep your home office organized is to work on tidying it for a few minutes each day. Once it’s in good order, you will only need to spend five or ten minutes putting away stray items at the end of your workday. The clean surfaces will greet you the next day so you can get right to work without dealing with a mess.
If you are looking for more ideas on how to organize your home office , you might be a great candidate for a custom home office from L & B Closets . We work with homeowners in the areas of Scottsdale, Chandler, and Phoenix, Arizona. Contact us for more information and to schedule your free in-home consultation appointment.