Having a home office allows you to work from home and feel as though you're in a professional space. Many people have a problem organizing their offices, which makes it feel like just another room in your home.
However, no matter how many hours you spend in that office or the type of work that you do, you can always learn how to organize it properly. Look at the seven steps you need to follow to create an organized and functional space!
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." – Kobe Bryant
Use Colors
A simple home office organization tip that you can try is the use of colored folders. The chances are good that your office is home to hundreds of files that all relate to different things, including your taxes from previous years and client records.
Using colored tabs is a good way to differentiate between those files. You know what color to reach for when you need something specific. In addition to colored tabs, you can use folders of different colors.
Choose the Right Furniture
Before searching the web for home office setup and decoration ideas, you should focus on the furniture. You need at least a desk that is large enough for your work and an ergonomic chair.
While you might feel tempted to go with a cheap chair, an ergonomic model will let you work for hours with little to no discomfort. Once you have the basic layout complete, you can think about filing cabinets and other furniture.
Add Cabinetry
Office cabinetry is a great addition to a home office, especially if you have limited space. You might set up an office in a corner of your kitchen or in a room that also serves as a place for guests to spend the night. The right cabinetry gives you space for all of the supplies and equipment that you need.
You might use cabinets with built-in holders for your files and larger cabinets that keep your printer tucked out of the way. Choose designs that work with the room but don't forget to consider different colors as well. Doesn’t matter how limited the space may be, there should always be room for storage!
Hang a Calendar
As most of what you do at work is online, you might think that you don't need a calendar. Sure, you can set up appointments and meetings on your phone and transfer the data to your computer, but an actual calendar will be a visual reminder of everything you can’t forget. It is a great way to keep track of your daily activities and upcoming appointments.
Tip: You can use markers in different colors to show the things that you want to do with your family and friends and distinguish between your clients and work tasks. This home office organization idea can help you keep track of your free time and vacation time, too.
Start Weeding
Weeding is the key to designing a minimalist home office. Experts weed through their collections every year to get rid of old books that no one reads or checks out to make room for new titles. Think of your home office as your personal library. Now is the time to start weeding and get rid of the things you don't need.
You might find that you still have tons of materials relating to a project from years ago or a client who stopped working with you last year. Make sure that you clear off your desk and get rid of anything you haven't used in the last few months. Keep only the absolutely necessary!
Limit Personal Effects
The chances are good that your home office features quite a few things relating to your family and home life. This might include family photos, drawings that your kids made and even clothing or toys that they dropped.
Many professional offices limit the number of personal effects that employees can display on their desks or in their cubicles, and you should adopt the same rule for your home office. Keep things simple with just a few things that remind you of your loved ones. You can keep the rest tucked away in cabinets or in other parts of the house.
Install Shelving
Make your space functional with the addition of home office shelving. You have thousands of options that range from modern metal shelves to traditional wood shelves. Floating shelves are easy to install and don't take up as much space, which can make your office feel larger.
Think about baskets and other organizers that you can display on those shelves to keep clutter tucked away. Store printer supplies and anything else that you need daily in those organizers.
A local carpenter can help design a great desk and install useful shelves to improve your home office!
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