Here are 10 quick tips to creae a comfortable and organized home office space to improve productivity and lower stress.
1. Remove Excess Items
Removing excess items from the home office will allow you to utilize the office for its intended tasks. Often items such as toys, electronics, tools, and clothing take up valuable space in a home office; move those things to other rooms.
2. Add Some Light
The desk area should have plenty of lighting, in addition to natural and/or overhead light, also add a task light to reduce eyestrain, glare and mental fatigue.
3. Think Vertically
Make use of vertical wall space surrounding the desk with wall shelving, peg boards, bulletin boards or dry erase boards.
4. Purge File Cabinets
Set up a file cabinet within reach of the desk chair to make it easier to file and retrieve papers. Schedule an annual file clean-out day so the drawers are not stuffed.
5. Corral Electronics
Create a designated area for the printer, scanner, shredder and other items.
The desk should have adequate space for computer hardware and also allow for a clear space for writing.
7. Adjust Your Desk Height
Be sure the desk is correct height for the person using it.
8. Sit Comfortably
The chair should also be the proper height, comfortable, and ergonomically supportive.
9. Add More Storage
Be sure you have enough storage for your reference materials and office supplies. Carts, bookcases, or cabinets work well for these items. Shelving inside a closet can also hold these supplies.
10. Eliminate Paper Piles
Process mail near a recycling bin and shredder. Immediately discard papers you do not need. The papers that remain can be placed in a desktop file box in labeled folders based on that paper’s next action such as “to pay,” “to file,” or “to read”. Schedule a time to address these action folders on a regular basis.
By removing excess clutter, reducing paper piles, and adjusting the layout of a home office space, you will reduce stress, save time, and be more productive.
I used to recommend having the filing cabinet within reach of the desk as well, until it was pointed out to me that we do so much sitting that having to get up to retrieve or put away a file is probably a good thing!
That’s a very good point, Janet.
I think the size of the desk is very important. If the desk is too small and gets filled up with the computer and printer and pencil cup, there may be no room to spread out. I see clients all the time who are carrying their computer to the kitchen island or conference room because they have more space.
Seana, I agree the desk size if extremely important. I also see many clients working from the kitchen or dining room table surface because there’s not enough space on their desk.
Hi Nancy! #10 is my favorite office organizing tip! I use a file basket for all of my remaining papers after tossing envelopes and junk mail and go through it every Sunday… inspired by Lisa Woodruff’s Sunday Basket. It is the only system that has ever worked for me! I was so happy to ditch those standard black file trays!!
Nicole, I agree, a file basket like Lisa Woodruff’s Sunday Basket is a wonderful system. I recently moved a client to a basket system like that, and she said it is like a weight has been lifted!