Today is our FINAL installment of the Clear the Clutter Challenge! This week, we are focusing on home office/basement/garage. I am talking about How to Organize a Home Office. My husband has worked out of a home office for the last 12 years. Since starting this blog, I have also been working from home. We have both learned a thing or two about what works in a home office and what does not work! It is not always easy to work at home especially with a house full of kids and family. However, I sure to appreciate all of the benefits, like being able to refill my coffee and also work in my pajamas!
Designate a Specific Work Space
Ideally, if you are working from home, it is nice to have your own room that has a door! However, this is not always feasible. True story, when my husband first starting working from home, we lived in a two bedroom condo in Chicago. And we had a new baby. So, his work day consisted of moving around the house to find a quiet space! This was not ideal. We moved within two years so, fortunately, this was temporary.
If you do not have the ability to have your own room, it is still ideal to carve out a spot in the home that is specifically your work space. Then you can store your computer, paperwork, writing utensils, etc. in one spot. Otherwise, you might find yourself always searching for your stuff you need every day you get to work.
Don’t skimp on a nice office chair too! My pretty ghost chair is nice to look at but it is not comfortable!
Make the Space Yours
Bring comfort and homeyness to your office with a some elements of “life”. Either add in a plant or two or consider a pretty fish! You want to treat your home work space just as you would an office cubicle!
Don’t forget about display some of your favorite photos! This is a space that you spend the majority of your day, so make it cozy and personal!
Utilize Organization Tools
Clutter can build up really fast in a home office. When you know other people don’t have to see your space, it is easy to let things go! Corral papers and files into baskets and bins. This three basket wall hanger has been great at keeping my papers organized. I have a basket for each of the main categories of paperwork that I deal with including HOME, WORK and KIDS.
Keep things organized on your desk with a mail organizer or even a tiered tray!
OFFICE ACCESSORIES TO STAY ORGANIZED
Stay on Top of the Clutter
Just as you would keep your desk clean and organized, if you worked outside of the home, you want to give your home office the same care and attention. While no one else sees your space but you and your family, it is still necessary to have a clean desk and office if you want to maximize productivity and concentration.
Make it a weekly practice to review all the papers on your desk and clean off your desk at the end of the week. Better yet, tackle incoming paperwork by taking action on the paper immediately. The action might be to sign something, file the paper, make a copy, etc. This prevents paperwork piles all over your desk!
Create Visuals
Make your office a place that you feel motivated and inspired to work in. Consider creating a vision board with all of your dreams and goals. Or at the very least, a large wall calendar or white board to schedule out your plans!
Many years ago, I created a vision board which I keep in my master room closet. However, my home office might be even more appropriate of a place to keep it.
Have you created a vision board? If you want more info on how to create a vision board and why they actually work, check out this article HERE!
Make your space a place you want to work
It seems like our offices are the last priority on our home project list, yet we spend so much time in them!Whether you use your home office 20 hours or 40 hours a week, it is important to make it a place that you want to work! This year, I am hoping to finish a few decor projects in my home office including purchasing a new chair and a new light fixture.
I’ll be working on my office this week as part of the Clear the Clutter Challenge too. You can follow along on my progress this week over on Instagram!
If you missed the other Clear the Clutter Challenges, you can read the posts here:
You can read about how we organized our garage last year HERE!
Are you ready to get started on Week 4?
1.Join our challenge so you can have instant access to our Day by Day Clear the Clutter Challenge Calendar! When you sign up, you will also receive a weekly e-mail with extra tips and ideas!
2. Connect with our Clear the Clutter Facebook Group for daily motivation and inspiration!
3. Follow the hosts on Instagram (Jaclyn, Keri, Brittany B. and Brittany W.)and use #cleartheclutterchallenge2019 with your new and improved spaces for a chance to win COFFEE FOR A WEEKEND!
Make sure to check out my co-hosts’ tips as well!
Brittany Dreams + Coffee
Brittany W. Our Homemade Easy
Keri Keri Lynn Snyder
Jaclyn Coffee, Pancakes and Dreams
I LOVE my office so this post made me smile- making it your own and adding those personal touches are key! Thanks for sharing Jaclyn 🙂
My office gets so messy because I tend to leave everything in it!