Home Organization Tips and Tricks

March 13, 2021

One year after non-essential business worldwide suddenly shut down, the largest work-from-home experiment in history is still underway in many industries. A survey from the New York Times found that only 1 in 5 employees wants to return to a physical office full-time and that many workplaces will permanently adopt policies making it easier for employees to work remotely at least part-time. In light of these trends, many people are now assessing their work-from-home needs. Temporarily occupying half of the dining room table may have worked in the short-term, but a more permanent home office storage space could be needed. These tips will help you establish a home office and to keep it organized and functional.

-If you’re considering multiple spots in your home, spend at least one full day working in each space. Maybe you think your spare bedroom is the perfect spot, but you might not realize the street noise is distracting or the lighting washes out all of your video calls until working in the space.

-Of course it would be ideal to have a dedicated room but you may find you need to place a work station in a shared space, your bedroom, or even a repurposed closet. In this case, you may want to consider creating space by moving household items into climate-controlled storage. Some simple decoration choices can help to visually and mentally designate your space. Stick-on wallpaper, folding room dividers, or an area rug could do the trick.

-Living and working in the same spot can blur boundaries and disrupt your ideal work-life balance. Think about picking at least one space in your home to never work- even if it’s just your bed. Small rituals to end your work day are helpful as well. Perhaps you could close your laptop and then take a short walk, even if it’s just around the block, to simulate a commute.

-Don’t just follow decorating trends! Think about what kind of an environment inspires you to do your best work. Does a clutter-free minimalist desk free your mind or leave you uninspired? The answer to that question could determine if the best place for your office supplies is in neatly organized drawers or displayed vertically on a pegboard.

-Every piece of paper in your workspace should fall into three categories: to do, to file, or to shred/recycle. Try to keep your papers organized into those categories with a mail sorter or on separate trays of a rolling cart.

-There are lots of options for managing cords. Try placing binder clips on the side of your desk to keep charging cords from falling on the floor when unplugged. Or lean a piece of art against the wall at the back of your desk to hide power strips.

-Your workspace doesn’t need to be your supply closet, too. If your desktop and drawer space is limited, consider setting up a separate supply area. Items that aren’t needed often, such as printer ink or reference manuals, could be stored in clear plastic shoe boxes on the top shelf of a closet.

Need more organization tips? Check out our tips on making the most of small spaces. https://www.aa1selfstorage.com/organization-tips/how-to-make-the-most-of-your-small-space/