How to Eliminate Clutter in Your Home Office

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Most people who work outside the home strive to maintain some resemblance of order in their offices. But in our home offices, it’s all too easy to accumulate clutter. We may be more lax about filing things where they go, and things that do not belong in our offices at all often make their way in there. Getting rid of clutter in a home office provides a more professional and more appealing environment. It can also increase productivity.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Take inventory of what’s in your office. Are there boxes of stuff in there that should go into storage? Do you have furniture that has no business being in an office? If so, find somewhere else to put them or get rid of them.

Step2

Put files and other items in the place that is designated for them. If they don’t have a home, leave them on your desk for now. Don’t throw them in a drawer just because they’re out in the open.

Step3

Look at the items you’ve left out. Do they have anything in common? If so, find somewhere to put them all together. If not, you might need to rethink your system of organization, or get rid of them.

Step4

Put pictures on the wall instead of on your desk. There’s no harm in having pictures in your home office, but hanging them on the wall will free up lots of space as opposed to having them all over your desk.

Step5

Go through drawers and shelves and make sure that everything is organized in a way that makes sense and is easy to find. Also, remove anything that is out of place or that you don’t use. Dispense with these things accordingly.

Step6

Invest in some shelving or cabinets to store any items that are overflowing or don’t belong in a specific place. Keep it small enough not to overcrowd your office but large enough to hold what it needs to hold, with some extra space for future needs.

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Comments

Susanh said

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on 5/28/2008 We just re-did our home office and these tips are very helpful. A few other things we did that really helped: we purchased a new desk that is a bit larger and is L-shaped which fits very well into one corner. We also installed a shelving system, allowing me to have favorite pictures, etc. on display without taking up valuable workspace. Thank you for sharing such wonderful tips with us!

Susanh said

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vikki9 said

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on 5/25/2008 Sound advice - thank you! Clearing clutter frees up space for what is more appropriate to flow in filling the voids. This isn't magic. It's Energy!

wildcat65 said

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on 12/30/2007 Thanks! I have a home office and it is very out of control-and you are right productivity goes down because I find it hard to concentrate and stay organized. Your suggestions help me get on track. It is going to take several weeks, but I see it benefiting tremendously!

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