8 Clever Tips to Steal From These Organised Offices
Design ideas to get your home office primed, organised and ready for a new season of productive work
Sarah Reynolds
15 September 2016
As the summer comes to an end, it’s time to get back to work. Kick-start the new season’s routine by preparing a beautiful and organised home office that will inspire creativity and boost your efficiency. Check out these gorgeous spaces for inspiration.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Work the desk
Try to keep as little as possible on your desk, so you can work on it rather than use it as a surface to store office supplies!
Having a clear space allows you to spread out for any reading, writing or research you may be doing. It’s also important ergonomically, as your elbow should be able to rest on the desk with your arm out straight to the computer so as to reduce the chance of repetitive strain injury.
If you have to use the desktop as storage for stationery, box files or in and out trays, then keep everything to one side or in the corner.
Think of a semi-circle when you’re placing items on the desk: those closest to you are the ones you need most often. Keep the things you use less often further out. For these, think out and up: use the outer extremities of the desk, the shelves up above, and cabinets to the right and left, rather than the desk surface itself.
Try to keep as little as possible on your desk, so you can work on it rather than use it as a surface to store office supplies!
Having a clear space allows you to spread out for any reading, writing or research you may be doing. It’s also important ergonomically, as your elbow should be able to rest on the desk with your arm out straight to the computer so as to reduce the chance of repetitive strain injury.
If you have to use the desktop as storage for stationery, box files or in and out trays, then keep everything to one side or in the corner.
Think of a semi-circle when you’re placing items on the desk: those closest to you are the ones you need most often. Keep the things you use less often further out. For these, think out and up: use the outer extremities of the desk, the shelves up above, and cabinets to the right and left, rather than the desk surface itself.
Get the light right
This tip is one of the most important. Poor lighting causes eye strain and headaches and can have a hugely negative effect on productivity.
The best light is natural, so bear this in mind when you’re deciding where to position your desk. Also carefully consider your artificial lighting. A lamp directly above your work on your desk can be a huge help, but watch out for any glare on your computer screen.
The colour white can also help, as it will reflect any available brightness and give the impression of more space.
This office has ticked all three boxes – natural light, artificial light and white.
Find the right people to help with your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
This tip is one of the most important. Poor lighting causes eye strain and headaches and can have a hugely negative effect on productivity.
The best light is natural, so bear this in mind when you’re deciding where to position your desk. Also carefully consider your artificial lighting. A lamp directly above your work on your desk can be a huge help, but watch out for any glare on your computer screen.
The colour white can also help, as it will reflect any available brightness and give the impression of more space.
This office has ticked all three boxes – natural light, artificial light and white.
Find the right people to help with your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Experiment with storage
Once you’ve decluttered your office space, it’s time to think about storage. Prevent paper, files and small supplies from becoming untidy by storing them in easy-to-access boxes, folders and drawers. Use boxes for technology and cables, magazine files for thin items, such as folders, and drawer dividers for stationery.
Make open shelves or deep cabinet shelves work for you by putting storage containers on and in them. It’s easier to lift a box out and find what you need than have loose items scattered about.
Once you’ve decluttered your office space, it’s time to think about storage. Prevent paper, files and small supplies from becoming untidy by storing them in easy-to-access boxes, folders and drawers. Use boxes for technology and cables, magazine files for thin items, such as folders, and drawer dividers for stationery.
Make open shelves or deep cabinet shelves work for you by putting storage containers on and in them. It’s easier to lift a box out and find what you need than have loose items scattered about.
Create a tidy nook
If you’re struggling to find a spot for an office, look with fresh eyes at potential nooks around the home. Perhaps a smaller office than you originally thought might do the trick just as well as a normal-sized one?
Or if your current office set-up feels too small, have a re-think about what exactly you need to store and use to get the job done. Perhaps you have too much stuff in your office, or maybe you could swap your large desk for a slimline one?
If you’re struggling to find a spot for an office, look with fresh eyes at potential nooks around the home. Perhaps a smaller office than you originally thought might do the trick just as well as a normal-sized one?
Or if your current office set-up feels too small, have a re-think about what exactly you need to store and use to get the job done. Perhaps you have too much stuff in your office, or maybe you could swap your large desk for a slimline one?
Go for dual function
No space under the stairs? How about adding a work space to an existing room, such as the living room or kitchen.
Keep each space clearly zoned so there’s a definite divide between the work part of the room and the relaxation area. Generally, two functions at most work in any given room. If you start adding a third function – such as putting an office space in a living room that also acts as a play room – you’ll quickly lose control of the space and clutter will build up.
No space under the stairs? How about adding a work space to an existing room, such as the living room or kitchen.
Keep each space clearly zoned so there’s a definite divide between the work part of the room and the relaxation area. Generally, two functions at most work in any given room. If you start adding a third function – such as putting an office space in a living room that also acts as a play room – you’ll quickly lose control of the space and clutter will build up.
Keep clutter hidden
Printers, filing cabinets, cables and wires can take over the space. So conceal them with design tricks that will keep them out of your direct line of vision.
Try placing the printer at hip or knee height, and tuck your filing cabinet underneath the desk. Use the corners of the room, as these areas won’t be the first places either you or your visitors will see when entering.
Don’t forget to use the space behind the door. Hooks, or over-the-door units, can store a multitude of office paraphernalia and keep them out of direct sight.
Printers, filing cabinets, cables and wires can take over the space. So conceal them with design tricks that will keep them out of your direct line of vision.
Try placing the printer at hip or knee height, and tuck your filing cabinet underneath the desk. Use the corners of the room, as these areas won’t be the first places either you or your visitors will see when entering.
Don’t forget to use the space behind the door. Hooks, or over-the-door units, can store a multitude of office paraphernalia and keep them out of direct sight.
Share the space
If your home-based business is expanding, or you’re working with your partner, you might need to consider a shared space.
The first step is preparation. As you bring people into your space, they need to know where to file papers, find spare stationery, or put specific documents. Getting the office organised allows for an effective workflow and shows you mean business.
To organise a practical working space, remember the importance of zones. Keep files organised in one area, office supplies in another, and books, magazines and articles for research in a third. A colleague might also need a space for their personal items, such as their bag and coat.
If you’re stuck for desk space, again, keep it zoned to one area of the room and consider a worktop solution or a long floating shelf. These take up less space and give you room underneath for a greater variety of storage solutions than a traditional desk.
Finally, not everyone is going to be neat and tidy, and people work at different paces and on separate projects. Create a buffer on the desk surface so each individual has their own space. This buffer may be a few magazine files or a printer strategically placed in-between colleagues so as to subtly section off the desk.
If your home-based business is expanding, or you’re working with your partner, you might need to consider a shared space.
The first step is preparation. As you bring people into your space, they need to know where to file papers, find spare stationery, or put specific documents. Getting the office organised allows for an effective workflow and shows you mean business.
To organise a practical working space, remember the importance of zones. Keep files organised in one area, office supplies in another, and books, magazines and articles for research in a third. A colleague might also need a space for their personal items, such as their bag and coat.
If you’re stuck for desk space, again, keep it zoned to one area of the room and consider a worktop solution or a long floating shelf. These take up less space and give you room underneath for a greater variety of storage solutions than a traditional desk.
Finally, not everyone is going to be neat and tidy, and people work at different paces and on separate projects. Create a buffer on the desk surface so each individual has their own space. This buffer may be a few magazine files or a printer strategically placed in-between colleagues so as to subtly section off the desk.
Add some personality
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time working in your home office, it’s a good idea to make it inspiring and add some of your own personality to it. Incorporate photos, a decorative lamp or a fantastic rug to offer inspiration, motivation and something lovely to look at while you’re working.
However, remember not to overdo it, as too much clutter can create visual noise and too many distractions. Some clear, empty space can be helpful.
Tell us…
What do you think of these home office ideas? How do you organise your own workspace? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time working in your home office, it’s a good idea to make it inspiring and add some of your own personality to it. Incorporate photos, a decorative lamp or a fantastic rug to offer inspiration, motivation and something lovely to look at while you’re working.
However, remember not to overdo it, as too much clutter can create visual noise and too many distractions. Some clear, empty space can be helpful.
Tell us…
What do you think of these home office ideas? How do you organise your own workspace? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
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Some brilliant design solutions - shows what can be achieved in a small space. Nothing beats a clean, clutter free workspace but lighting is so important even in an example such as this, where natural light is limited.
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Sitting facing a window when using a computer or laptop also makes it difficult to see the screen... try adding a blind of some sort... you can get semi-transparent ones that help to filter the light without blocking it all.