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 January 20, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
Whether you are running your own start up business out of your home or if you manage a local company from your house, keeping your home office organized at all times is essential to stay productive and efficient with each workday. There are a few tips you can implement into your routine to help with keeping your home office organized, ridding clutter and reducing the amount of overall stress you may experience while working each day.
Create a Plan
Before you begin organizing your home office, determine the storage space you may need as well as the most important items you need to keep nearby while working. Writing down a plan is a way to save time when you begin rearranging furniture or putting excess belongings and decor away in storage. You’ll want to write down things that you need to remove or storage compartments you need to buy.
Determine the Space You Have Available
It is also important to consider the storage space you have available in your home office and the square footage you can put to use with shelves and other storage bins. If you have important documents and paperwork you need store in a safe area, considering external safe storage units rather than using your own home office. Using a safe storage unit is highly recommended for paperwork and other documents that are related to the business, finances or that includes personal and sensitive information regarding you, your employees, investors and even your family. If you have room, you can keep these in locked drawers in your office, but if you don’t a separate unit is essential especially if you often have visitors coming and going.
Invest in Storage Containers and Filing Cabinets
Invest in office storage containers and filing cabinets. This is a great place for paperwork about clients and other companies you work with regularly. You’ll want to start a good system for organizing the paperwork by dates or names so that you can easily find what you need.
Store Information Using “The Cloud”
Consider storing additional information and documents on “The Cloud”, or using a virtual hosting service for businesses and entrepreneurs alike. It’s a good idea to keep digital copies of your paperwork in case you were to lose them. Using virtual documents can also help you be more green and save money on paper.
Have an “Incoming” and “Outgoing” Organizer
Place an “incoming” and “outgoing” organizer on your desk within your home office. Keeping your incoming and outgoing mail in order is a way to stay efficient with working while ensuring all bills and invoices are taken care of properly. This is also a good way to organize contracts if you need to get things signed at returned or any paperwork that changes hands.
Keep it in the Office
Keep all work related materials in your office. Don’t take your paperwork to the kitchen to have lunch or to the family room to watch television. Keep your work at work. Putting everything away in the evening and not worrying about it again till you “go to work” the next day is a good way to keep a schedule and to keep your personal life separate from your work life.
Whether you are launching a new business or trying to get more organized with your current job, implementing a few organization tips helps to reduce steps while keeping you more focused on moving forward with your business and its future plans.
