​Home Office Organization Tips

Home offices are doing some heavy lifting this year compared to years past. With an increasing number of individuals working solely from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, home offices give people their own designated space to take calls, attend zoom meetings, and accomplish their responsibilities. It is ESSENTIAL to have your home office organized during a time like now so that you can be as (or more!) productive as you would be in your traditional office building. Not to mention, an organized home office may make you feel a little bit better about starting off the work day- BONUS!

If you know you're office could be more organized (and honestly, who's office couldn't be!?) but you're intimidated by the papers, sticky notes, and whatever else is stuffed in the back of your file cabinet, worry no longer- Your favorite professional organizer is here to help you get your home office organized for good!

Read on to find out 7 tricks to organize your home office!

1. Start with your filing cabinet
Most people automatically start with their desk when organizing their home office. However, I'm here to tell you WAIT! Start with your filing cabinet. If you have an orderly system for your paper filing, it will be much easier to sort your desk and file away loose papers left out. Go through your filing cabinet and declutter. Make sure to throw out papers you don't need anymore and LABEL, LABEL, LABEL those filing folders.

2. Scan documents into your computer
This trick goes along with the first home office organizing tip. Now, it may not be reasonable or functional for you to scan ALL documents into your computer, but commit to scanning at least a portion of documents from your filing cabinet. Most importantly, be sure to recycle the papers you do end up scanning! There is no point to keep the paper document once you have it scanned in your computer (remember, you can always print it out if need be!)

3. Utilize Wall Space
Use your wall space and use it well! I LOVE using bulletin boards and whiteboards in offices so that you can keep reminders and cheat sheets off of your desk and on a board. Be careful not to clutter up your bulletin board! My rule for organizing bulletin boards is NO STACKING notes and paper on top of each other. If there isn't room on the board, create a digital note or file the paper in an appropriate folder. 

4. Two words- Drawer Dividers
Folders and labels are perfect for filing cabinets, but make sure not to overlook your desk drawers! You can find inexpensive drawer organizers/inserts at Staples, Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Make sure to measure your drawer before you go shopping and make a list of categories you need enough compartments for (pens, push pins, staples, tape. . .etc.) If you really want to go the extra mile and be next-level organized, add labels to the compartments on your drawer divider. Labels help keep you accountable and encourage you to stick to your organization system.

5. Decide on Receipt Management
​Receipts, receipts everywhere! Receipts can truly be a pain to corral. A lot of people use shoe boxes or small bins to throw their receipts in, but this system often lends to receipts spilling out everywhere. Instead of open bins, grab a mason jar with a lid for receipts so you can be sure they stay in their designated spot. An even better way to organize receipts is to do so digitally! There are plenty of apps that make it easy to store your receipts. One I love is Wave Financial which lets you take a photo of a receipt and save it in the app for free. Be sure to trash the receipts after you save them digitally!

6. Use Transparent Bins
Transparent bins are perfect for storing printer paper, envelopes, and other office supplies. Make sure to add labels for the same reason mentioned in tip 4! Transparent bins are a great way to see if you are running low on any office supplies and prevent from getting caught in a bind. 

7. Sort through those wires
There's nothing in an office that can look quite as messy as a bunch of wires. Computer cables, laptop chargers, phone chargers, power cords- there are a ton of wires to organize in your home office. First, make sure to throw out any cords not in use. Next, zip tie cords together or use a neoprene sleeve to bundle the wires together so they don't get caught on anything. For cords you can't commit to bundling (like laptop chargers potentially,) designate a transparent bin or desk drawer to keep your chargers in when not in use. 

Whenever your office starts to feel a bit chaotic, come back to this list! You want to get ahead of the clutter and messiness before it gets too overwhelming. Follow these 7 home office organization tips and you'll look forward to sitting down at your desk in the morning!

What is your favorite home office organization trick? Comment below!

If you're looking for more organization ideas and tips, follow Sage Organizing Co. on Pinterest! ​
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Need more help with organizing your home or estate clearing? Contact us and book a consultation to start your organized life today!

Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.

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