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9 Hacks for a Tidy Work Space to Get You in the Zone
If your desk is covered in cables and you find it hard to locate anything, these clever ideas for a clutter-free office are for you
The home office is often prone to clutter, as tidiness tends to be collateral damage when deadlines are looming and you have a million and one things to do. Let’s face it, though, you can’t be productive if your work space is a disaster.
Save your sanity and make your home office a more organised, pleasant and effective place to work by adopting these simple strategies. From how to conquer paper clutter to clever cable-taming tricks, these hacks will help you whip your work space into shape in no time.
Save your sanity and make your home office a more organised, pleasant and effective place to work by adopting these simple strategies. From how to conquer paper clutter to clever cable-taming tricks, these hacks will help you whip your work space into shape in no time.
Create order with drawer organisers
Are your desk drawers in total disarray? Divide and conquer the clutter by kitting them out with drawer organisers to keep small, loose stationery supplies tidy and contained. If you can’t find an insert that fits your drawer perfectly, create a customised one by lining the drawer base with a selection of small containers, trays and bowls that slot in next to each other like a jigsaw puzzle.
Browse Decluttering or Professional Organising experts in the Houzz Directory.
Are your desk drawers in total disarray? Divide and conquer the clutter by kitting them out with drawer organisers to keep small, loose stationery supplies tidy and contained. If you can’t find an insert that fits your drawer perfectly, create a customised one by lining the drawer base with a selection of small containers, trays and bowls that slot in next to each other like a jigsaw puzzle.
Browse Decluttering or Professional Organising experts in the Houzz Directory.
Contain chaotic cables
Unruly wires that snake across and down your desk not only get in the way, but also create visual clutter. Introducing a cable management system into your home office will allow you to regain control over your cords.
This picture-perfect work zone features an integrated cable management and power system, which is hidden inside the oak cabinets below the desk. The computer cords run along the base of the desk into the cabinets, which also house peripheral devices, keeping the desktop free of distracting wires.
Unruly wires that snake across and down your desk not only get in the way, but also create visual clutter. Introducing a cable management system into your home office will allow you to regain control over your cords.
This picture-perfect work zone features an integrated cable management and power system, which is hidden inside the oak cabinets below the desk. The computer cords run along the base of the desk into the cabinets, which also house peripheral devices, keeping the desktop free of distracting wires.
If you’re a renter and require a temporary tidy solution for cables that’s fuss free and won’t cause any damage, try a stick-on cord organiser like this one.
Alternatively, use Velcro strips to fix cords to the underside of your desk or use cable ties to hold lengths of wire together. Remember to label each plug so you know which cord belongs to which device.
Alternatively, use Velcro strips to fix cords to the underside of your desk or use cable ties to hold lengths of wire together. Remember to label each plug so you know which cord belongs to which device.
Go completely cord free
If you want to eliminate unsightly cables from your home office completely, invest in rechargeable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-networked gadgets. Working wirelessly will make your office look more streamlined and cleaning will be a breeze – you won’t have to fight pesky cables when wiping or vacuuming dust from your desktop or floor.
If you want to eliminate unsightly cables from your home office completely, invest in rechargeable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-networked gadgets. Working wirelessly will make your office look more streamlined and cleaning will be a breeze – you won’t have to fight pesky cables when wiping or vacuuming dust from your desktop or floor.
Get colour coding
Introducing a colour-coded organisation system is a smart (and visually punchy) way to bring a sense of harmony to your work space. Visual cues are easy to read, which makes it a quick and fuss-free task to locate and retrieve items and documents categorised by colour.
A colour-coded approach is especially effective for filing systems. Assign different hues to different categories – this will enable you to find specific documents with ease. For example, you might like to use green folders or labels for financial paperwork, red for medical documents, blue for household bills, and yellow for personal items.
Introducing a colour-coded organisation system is a smart (and visually punchy) way to bring a sense of harmony to your work space. Visual cues are easy to read, which makes it a quick and fuss-free task to locate and retrieve items and documents categorised by colour.
A colour-coded approach is especially effective for filing systems. Assign different hues to different categories – this will enable you to find specific documents with ease. For example, you might like to use green folders or labels for financial paperwork, red for medical documents, blue for household bills, and yellow for personal items.
Establish zones for maximum efficiency
Take cues from this immaculate space and divide your office into task-related work zones. This activity-driven approach maximises space and makes the area more efficient to use.
This study features three distinct sections: the work zone (with the desk and computer), the reference zone (home to manuals, reference books, binders and filing cabinets), and the supply zone (where the office supplies and paper are kept).
Take cues from this immaculate space and divide your office into task-related work zones. This activity-driven approach maximises space and makes the area more efficient to use.
This study features three distinct sections: the work zone (with the desk and computer), the reference zone (home to manuals, reference books, binders and filing cabinets), and the supply zone (where the office supplies and paper are kept).
This approach is just as effective in offices that are more modest in size. In this pocket-sized work zone, overhead cube shelving serves as the reference zone (with a display nook for bright, funky décor), while the space below comfortably accommodates the work and supply zones.
Set up a paper processing station
A stack of paper can quickly spiral out of control. The trick to combating clutter is to adopt a paperwork action plan and follow it diligently, to prevent post and other papers from piling up.
This simple yet effective set-up is easy to implement and will control paper clutter. It consists of three separate baskets: one for papers that can be archived, another for correspondence, bills and forms that require immediate action, and a third for documents that can be thrown out.
A stack of paper can quickly spiral out of control. The trick to combating clutter is to adopt a paperwork action plan and follow it diligently, to prevent post and other papers from piling up.
This simple yet effective set-up is easy to implement and will control paper clutter. It consists of three separate baskets: one for papers that can be archived, another for correspondence, bills and forms that require immediate action, and a third for documents that can be thrown out.
Another solution to solving your paper clutter woes is to go paperless. Signing up for online statements and bills will reduce paper wastage and because many companies now charge a fee for sending a hard copy of your bills, it may save you money too.
Think vertically
If your home office is on the small side, think beyond bulky filing cabinets, cupboards and bookcases and turn your wall space into a storage hub. Think floating shelves, hanging filing systems or a panel of wall-mounted caddies, like the modular system seen here. Besides being space savvy, wall organisers are also practical and convenient because all your files and supplies are visible and easily accessible.
If your home office is on the small side, think beyond bulky filing cabinets, cupboards and bookcases and turn your wall space into a storage hub. Think floating shelves, hanging filing systems or a panel of wall-mounted caddies, like the modular system seen here. Besides being space savvy, wall organisers are also practical and convenient because all your files and supplies are visible and easily accessible.
For a wall storage set-up that wows, choose an attention-grabbing organiser, shelving system or message board that’s as visually punchy as it is practical. This chic geometric pin-board arrangement gets two big thumbs up. It provides ample surface area to attach notes, bills and other important papers, but also transforms the wall into an arresting feature.
Tidy up regularly
So you’ve finally whipped your home office into shape – now it’s time to make sure it stays that way. The easiest way to ensure your study doesn’t slide back into chaos is to do a daily or weekly tidy-up. Allocate a few minutes at the end of each day (or a larger block of time once a week) to organise your things and purge any unwanted paper to keep clutter at bay for good.
So you’ve finally whipped your home office into shape – now it’s time to make sure it stays that way. The easiest way to ensure your study doesn’t slide back into chaos is to do a daily or weekly tidy-up. Allocate a few minutes at the end of each day (or a larger block of time once a week) to organise your things and purge any unwanted paper to keep clutter at bay for good.
Once your study is shipshape, dedicate some time to cleaning up the files on your computer, tablet and smart phone. Emptying your rubbish, removing unused add-ons and apps, deleting temporary files, installing updates, and running a full antivirus and system utilities scan will free up space on your devices. It will also improve their performance, allowing you to work faster and more efficiently.
Tell us…
What’s your top tip for organising your home office? Share your advice in the Comments.
What’s your top tip for organising your home office? Share your advice in the Comments.
A message board will ramp up the efficiency and appeal of a home office. Not only does it act as a quick reference guide for important appointments, to-do lists and must-revisit ideas, it also serves as a visual muse that can boost your creativity and productivity.
For added practicality, choose a message board on which you can both write and display papers, such as a whiteboard or magnetic chalkboard, like the one that lines the wall of this compact office nook.