Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on June 23, 2022 by Work In My Pajamas
The number of people working at home is increasing exponentially. What was once a great way to be able to take care of children while simultaneously earning money has become an opportunity for stress as home and work become intertwined. Families discover work papers in the bedroom while finding toys on the work desk. Here are four brilliant ways to create and keep a professional-looking home office that is organized and clean.
In This Post:
Have a Designated Work Area
It can be easy to mix home and work life when they are all done in the same building. However, it is both physically and mentally beneficial to keep these separate by creating a designated work area. Whether this is a separate room or a built-in counter space in the kitchen, this area should be sacred for work and should never pick up home clutter.
Keep It Clean and Germ-Free
Other than a bit of dust, it can be hard to determine when a home office is dirty. However, these spaces pick up plenty of dirt and germs. Some companies, like Comclean Australia Pty Ltd, know that workers should dust surfaces and wipe desks, phones, and keyboards with microfiber cloths weekly. Every month or every other month, the desk chair should be vacuumed, the windows should be wiped clean and the blinds or curtains should be wiped, washed or vacuumed.
Create a Filing System
While a well-organized home office often has most information stored electronically, it is virtually impossible to eliminate paperwork. By creating a workable yet simple filing system, individuals will be able to locate information quickly. A color-coded filing system can be used on a desk to separate subsets of information while hanging files within a cabinet can be easily lifted and moved.
Invest in Storage Containers
Although the initial expense of heading to the home and office store may be higher than one would like, the overall time savings of having a well-organized desk and shelves will be great. Use small containers to separate paperclips, staples, post-it notes, pens and other miscellaneous items in desk drawers. Offices that lack filing cabinets can use file boxes on shelves.
Without any impetus for keeping a home office organized and clean, individuals may put off filing away paperwork or cleaning off the desk. However, messy work spaces can lead to lost work time and frustration when workers cannot find necessary paperwork or the tools that they need to do their jobs properly. Plus, an organized office will boost productivity and overall morale.
