Ways to Organize Your Home Office

An organized home office makes for a more efficient work environment.

Your home office is a place to store important information including bills, insurance policies, safes and possibly home business paperwork. Because the information you store in your office is so important, you should consider ways to organize it. Whether you are a neat freak or not, organization decreases the time you spend hunting for things that you need on demand.

Keep the Office Clutter Free

Clutter is an obvious distraction as well as a time consumer. If you spend more time looking for a particular piece of paperwork than you do actually making use of the information on that paperwork, then you have too much clutter. The appearance of clutter also makes you feel overwhelmed and disorganized. Simply take five to 10 minutes every day and put away the bills, the filing and the additional clutter that collects in your office.

Make the Office User Friendly

Depending on the function of your office -- whether it is for business or personal use -- organize your office to fit those needs. If you use the computer and the printer the most, set those items closest to you on the desk. The items you utilize most often need to be at your fingertips. Set items you don't use as often up on shelves or in a closet.

Create a Cord-Free Office

Everyone knows that the jumble of cords behind the computer desk is extremely annoying. Technology today allows you to utilize computers, printers and routers that are wire and cord-free. If you have items that require a cord, set those items closer to the electrical outlets to minimize the obviousness of the cords. Also use zip ties to connect cords and to keep them from getting tangled.

Utilize All Available Space

Home offices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whether your office space is large or small, it is ideal to use all of the space you have available. Utilize bins, shelving and closets to fit your needs. If your office space is small, stack items and use filing cabinets if space allows. For larger home offices, make sure you don't buy extra items just to fill the room; you may need the extra space later.

References

• "House Beautiful": Organizing Your Home Office; Jenn Andrlik