This post is sponsored by Boise. All opinions are my own.
I’m self-employed and work from home online. I know how easy it is for a home office space to become cluttered. I have a bad habit of beginning to multi-task and then one of my tasks gets left unfinished. When I pause a project mid-way through, sometimes the results of the unfinished project add clutter to my work space. Once my work space is cluttered I stop working as efficiently because I get distracted easier. It seems to be a bad cycle to get into, so I try to keep focus on keeping my space organized so that my space is cleaner and less distracting and I can get more done.
Five ways to keep your office space de-cluttered so you can work more efficiently.
1. Keep your office separate from the rest of your home. If you allow some of the space in your home office to be used for storing other items like craft supplies or other items that aren’t related to your work it will be harder to separate work from play. Keeping your office space strictly just for work will help you get in the zone of being on-task while working.
2. Use organizers. Keep one cabinet in your desk for sorting papers. Have a pencil holder and paper clips to keep stacks as neatly as possible. Have a specific spot on your desk for your stapler. If you find yourself being unsure where to place something, that’s a good time to ask yourself if it really fits in your office space or not.
3. Do regular clean-ups. This is most important for paperwork. If you print a lot of sheets off, go through them every couple weeks or so to recycle or shred paperwork that you no longer need to keep.
4. Keep a trash and recycling bin in your office. You’ll be less inclined to delay tossing out clutter if you can get rid of it immediately. Keeping a bathroom-sized trash bin under your desk is super convenient because you won’t even have to stand up to access it.
5. Reduce as much as possible. Use a 3-in-1 printer, scanner and fax machine to reduce space. Use an all-purpose printer paper like so that you don’t have to buy multiple types of paper. I recommend Boise Polaris paper because it’s an all-in-one paper that is 99.99% jam-free so you can use it for all your printing purposes without dealing with paper jams. It’s also made in the USA so I feel great using it.
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Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
This post currently has 8 responses.
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Sarah L
I use all purpose printer paper in my 3-in-1 printer. Need to put a recycle bin in the room.
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Dandi D
These are some great tips for keeping things organized!
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Lauryn R
Great tips! ๐ I definitely have a hard time focusing when my work area isn’t clean and organized! I am the same way about my home, there is no way I can relax while it’s messy and completely disorganized!
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H T Boland
Great tips. I think having the office as a separate space is definitely the biggest help. A good file cabinet helps me.
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Katy
Unfortunately we don’t have another space for it, so my husband’s office is in our bedroom. Ugh! He works at home full time, too. Neither of us like where the office is, but it is even more important to keep it neat and organized when it’s in another room. The clutter only makes him think about work 24-7. A trash can is a great idea!
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Deb E
My large L shaped desk is in the corner of where the dining room table should be I guess. I have a one bedroom apt so you make do. I do need more organization but first need to let go of more stuff, probably a lot of books. I also need a new printer some day too.
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kathy downey
I just cant relax while itโs messy and completely disorganized,thanks for all the great tips.
Yes yes yes!! These are all great but I especially love an often clean out of waste and extra trash!! I have a bug habit of not throwing things away so that’s a huge one for me!