Home Office Help
When my husband first started working from home back in 2020 we kept putting off creating a proper office space for him, we just kept thinking that he’d be back to his in-person office in no time. Fast forward to March 2021 he was still working from home, in our laundry room of all places. So I wouldn't be surprised if many of you are still trying to figure out home office solutions at the end of 2021. Here are some ideas for your home office.
Maximize space.
There are so many spaces to be maximized in our homes. This last year both my husband and I needed places to work in our home. We did some rearranging and now we both have our own office spaces and not in the laundry room thankfully. in our home. I turned our entryway into a faux built in office space for myself. It gave me a place to work & added in additional storage that we were needing. For him, we decided he needed an office space of his own more than our kids needed their own rooms. Having our own spaces has made such a difference, we both have a place to be productive without getting in each other's way. Think about places in your home that could be maximized, an entry way, a closet, a nook of a guest room or living room. Get creative!
Use a tray.
Don’t have a set office space in your house and find yourself floating throughout the day? Find a large tray to contain your work items. Keep it stocked with items you reach for while working, notepad, pencils & pens, sticky notes, phone charger, ect. When you're done with work, pack the tray up with all your office items and you’re on to the next.
Add shelving.
Oftentimes you just need a few organized shelves to make your home office complete. If you have a good system for where things go it will be a whole lot easier to keep it ordered. You’d be surprised the amount of storage.a few shelves can give you. My go to shelves are white laminated shelf boards installed with twin tracks and brackets. They are easy to install and most hardware stores will carry something similar.
Recycle your office supplies.
Almost everyone I organize for has a pile of pens, pencils, and other office supplies that are never being used. I have two options for you, either throw them all out and start fresh with only the ones you will really use, we all have our favorites right? Or, for a greener method, test them all, keep the ones that work & recycle the ones that don’t. BIC & TerraCycle have collaborated and you can now recycle empty writing utensils, glue sticks, paint sets, and flexible packaging all for free. Staples will recycle electronics, batteries, and ink.
Contain your cords.
Invest in a label maker & velcro tape to avoid tangles of cords around your house. Keep them in a specific drawer organizer or in a zipper pouch when on the go.
Keep it neat & tidy.
Just like a clean kitchen in the morning can start your day off right, so can a clean workspace. Make a habit of cleaning your office space at the end of each work day. Collect all the dishes, recycle scrap paper, put things back in their place, dust, wipe down surfaces. Tidy your office as a gift to your future self & for a more productive start to your next work day.