Five ways to keep your office more organized

The first two steps to an organized home or work office include creating proper office zones and having a current box (or something like a current box). After these major steps, there are some other things you can do to reduce office clutter and stay organized. Following are five ideas…

1. Keep your desktop clear: I’m not a fan of a paper pile anywhere, but a paper pile on a nearby shelf beats a paper pile on your desktop. Most of us work better when our space at least appears tidy. What you might consider are two small garbage bins on the side of your desk. Fill one with absolute recycling, and the other with stuff you’re unsure of. You can sort later.

2. Use a small file box:  If you keep the bulk of your work, research, necessary papers, or what have you, in a large file cabinet, purchase a small file holder box (like the one I refer to above in the current box link) and keep it near your desk. All you need to do is reach down for a file, which means file clutter stay off your desk. Once you’re done with the file return it to the larger cabinet.

3. Make daily clean up a habit: Each day, or at the very least every other day, pick up loose papers, old files, pens, and other collected desk items and put them where they actually go. If you spend five minutes at the end of each day picking up, you won’t accumulate as much desk clutter in the long run.

4. Have the best office you can afford: This rule applies if you spend countless hours at your office. For a little bill paying home office set-up, it doesn’t really matter, but if you spend a lot of time in your office space; if it’s your means of income, then buy the best desk chair, desk, computer, and other office items that you can. Shoddy office furniture and a suck chair practically beg you to run away fast at the end of the day. Be comfortable and you’ll be willing to spend more time in your  office space (even if you’re organizing).

5. Decorate a little: Keep some pictures you adore on the walls, place incense or a candle nearby, buy a calender that’s actually nice to look at, own a nice green plant or two, and do whatever else you can to make your office your own. An office with a personal touch makes you feel invested in the space, which means you’ll be more likely to want to keep it organized and thus attractive. Never underestimate atmosphere.

For some very cool tips and lovely office photos read Designing a Dream Home Office.

[Home office image via Closet Tailors - which is, by the way, a super place to research if you're planning a home office. Closet Tailors offers many very functional and great looking home office designs.]