Keeping your workspace tidy is a great way to improve your productivity and mood.
A cluttered office doesn’t just make you feel distracted, but you often can’t even find the things you need. Unfortunately, your workspace may have gotten messy and cluttered with papers, reports, or mail over time.
But don’t worry. There is an easy way to fix this problem. The following steps will help you declutter and organize your workspace with ease:
1. Keep the essentials
Begin with taking out everything that doesn’t belong to your workspace. Take some time to scan your surfaces, drawers, and cabinets for things that aren’t supposed to be there.
While some of the clutter in your desk and office might be from things you don’t even use, there can be regular items. This includes pens, staplers, writing pads, or highlighters.
Put these items aside in a safe place, so you don’t get rid of them accidentally. Moreso when you’re decluttering.
2. Buy a cardboard file box
Investing in a cardboard drop-in file box allows you to be more organized. It lets you store essential papers, projects, old documents, and more.
You can also use a cardboard box and turn it into an efficient filing system. All you need are drop-in sliding folders. That’s because these will give you easy access to your essential files.
3. Sweep your desk
The purpose of organizing your workspace is to boost your productivity. And the best place to start is with your desk. That’s because this is where you spend most of your time.
Go through every item that is on your desk. Put aside things you do not use at least once a week. Once you’re done organizing and decluttering, you can find new homes for all the supplies and items you’ve relocated.
4. Buy desk accessories
If you’re one of the many work-from-home employees, you might be looking for ways to clear your workspace. That way, it feels more like an office cubicle.
Sure, stocking up on desk accessories doesn’t rank high on the priority list. But functional accents like a desk organizer, lampshade, or a pen holder can still help you recreate an office vibe.
At the same time, these functional accessories will make you more organized. That is if you know where to place each item.
5. Separate household items
When scanning the room for decluttering, it is best to look for items that don’t belong in that space.
Some of them can be household items that you use for some reason and forget to put back. Nonetheless, these items don’t belong in your workspace. Thus, it is best to put them back.
Make it a habit to put back an item that does not belong in your workspace.
6. Clean and dust everything
Dust and dirt have probably built up around your workspace, especially if you haven’t cleaned it for a while.
Take the opportunity to dust everything off while your desk is clear. Wipe your desk and drawers with a damp rag or moist wipes before putting everything back.
Cleaning Exec House Cleaning NYC also recommends that you leave the window open while you clean. That way, you can filter out any dust you kick up.
7. Use project management tools
Many personal project management tools can help you to stay organized and prepared in all instances. It can help you keep track of your project, especially when the pressure’s on.
It can be very stressful at times, but this is where your organizational skills will come to play.
8. Wipe off your bulletin board
A bulletin or message board is a versatile tool. It provides you with a fresh slate whenever you need to write down some ideas. You can also use it to post reminders.
But what happens when your message board is no longer white?
Always remember that a message board wears when not cleaned. The best solution to putting its gloss back is to use a solution.
A mix of Isopropyl alcohol and water will get the job done. Warm soapy water, window cleaner, and peroxide work well too.
9. Go paperless
Print only what’s necessary to reduce clutter, or as much as possible, go paperless. Paper is one of the reasons for office clutter.
If you work from home, it’s possible that you use digital files. This makes it easier for you to go paperless. As a bonus, you’ll save money on paper and printer ink, and it’s also better for the environment.
Nonetheless, you should think twice before printing. Ask yourself if you really need a physical copy of the file.
It’s straightforward to let papers pile up in your home office. Because it is often a considerable multitasking room in our house, they can become cluttered and disorganized quickly. The tips listed above will let you control the clutter before it takes over your space.
The post 9 Uncomplicated Ways to Organize and Declutter Your Home Office was first published on Coworkaholic.