It’s March 11, which is “organize your home office day”. It is estimated that 1 in 4 homes have home offices. It is no surprise that a space for a home office is on the wish list of many of our clients as a home office has become more desired with many people having the opportunity to work from home or are self employment. A work space for the home is also handy for those who want to have one spot in their home to pay bills, work on projects, complete computer work or do homework.
The office can quickly become a place where things just pile up overtime. As I write this, there are 4 piles in my plain site that need filing, organizing or shredding. Home offices can easily get cluttered and messy especially if their are several family members using the same space. Spending a few hours in a home office can help you feel organized and will save you time in the long run when you can find things easily. Once the piles of papers are filed, you can clean and dust your surfaces and have a gleaming new work space. Feng Shui experts suggest that “clutter drains your energy and dampens your best intentions”. Even if you don’t get your entire office organized in one day… just start by tackling one pile or one area at a time. Once you start seeing a bare corner of your desk, you will be motivated to keep organizing your home office.
Having a system in your home office will go a long way in helping you keep organized. When you have a place for bills that need to be paid, will ensure they don’t get misplaced and that they get paid on time. Take a trip to your local office supply store or even the dollar store to find some home office organization solutions.
Every home office could you a filing system. If you don’t already have a filing cabinet, purchase cardboard banker boxes or a portable plastic file bin. Alphabetically organize your files to make your life easier when trying to locate your hydro bill from last August. We use a metallic filing cabinet and use the exposed magnetic side to keep a monthly calendar, motivational thoughts and to do lists. I have seen a metal filing cabinet painted with chalkboard paint allowing the home owner to use the exposed side as a place to write and then erase their weekly to-do list.
I have purchased a jar like the one below as a place to put receipts when I come home at the end of the day. That way I will never misplace an important reciept and can go through the jar to sort and log receipts when I have the time.
We use large dry erase boards in our home offices to keep track of our business but they can come in very hand for other uses as well. Cork boards can also be used a place to keep save the date cards, business cards, wedding or shower invitations and other important upcoming events.
If you don’t already have a pen holder, one like this in the photo below can be made easily by using a shoe box, some wrapping paper and empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls
Finally, no home office is complete without an inspiring piece of art or motivating word art. Your home office should be a place of organization and motivation. You should feel energized when you are in this room and not overwelmed by being surrounded by papers and clutter. Start organizing your home office today and you will well on your way!
