Let’s face it: Office supplies are a necessary evil. If we didn’t have to use them, they wouldn’t be in our lives at all. And yet, they can make us feel like this every time we need to find a pair of scissors or an eraser:
Luckily there are a lot of ways to reduce the clutter and keep your office supplies organized! Read on for 15 easy ways to organize your office supplies and make sure you always have what you need when you need it:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Use drawer organizers to keep office supplies neat and accessible. |
| – Consider using a label maker to make it easy to find what you need. |
| – Use a bulletin board to keep important information visible and organized. |
| – Stash office supplies in unexpected places, like a hanging shoe organizer. |
| – Keep your desk clean and clutter-free by tackling papers and documents regularly. |
| – Use binder clips to corral cords and cables. |
| – Store frequently used supplies in a mobile cart for easy access. |
| – Use a small tray or dish to keep frequently used office supplies within reach. |
| – Designate a specific spot for incoming and outgoing mail. |
| – Use color coding to organize files and documents. |
| – Set up a recycling station near your workspace to keep paper clutter at bay. |
| – Consider using digital tools and storage solutions to reduce physical clutter. |
| – Make a habit of regularly decluttering and reorganizing your workspace. |
| – Maximize vertical space by using shelves and wall-mounted organizers. |
| – Invest in high-quality, ergonomic office furniture to promote comfort and productivity. |
Label Scissors, Tape Dispensers, and Other Supplies
Buy a label maker. Label makers are a great way to organize your office supplies, and they’re relatively cheap. You can go with a basic model that costs under $20 or splurge on one of the fancier ones (they’ll run you somewhere around $100). It’s up to you!
Use your label maker wisely. If you have more than one label maker available in your office, then I highly recommend using different colors for different types of supplies (the color green might be reserved for scissors and tape dispensers while pink is used exclusively for sticky notes).
This will make it much easier when searching through your supply closet later on down the line because you know exactly where everything is located without having to read through every single name tag attached onto each individual item.
It also helps keep track of what kind of materials are being used around the workplace so employees aren’t wasting money buying something unnecessarily when there’s already another one sitting right next door!
The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering Your Office Space: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your office, our ultimate guide to decluttering your office space can help. From organizing your desk to purging old documents, our step-by-step guide will help you create a space that promotes productivity and reduces stress.
Customize Your Supplies Tray
If you have a lot of supplies, it’s helpful to use a tray to organize them. A simple plastic dishpan will do the trick.
The best trays are those that fit in your desk drawer, so they don’t take up too much space or get in the way when you drawers are open.
You should also choose containers that can be easily wiped clean and contain labels for identifying each item.
Make a Sticky Note Pad Holder
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to organize your sticky notes, try making an actual holder.
Use a small clear plastic container or pencil box and cut a piece of cardboard to fit the inside.
Label the top with your name, initials or any other label that will help you identify what is inside the box. Make sure it’s easy enough to read from above when it’s sitting on your desk! For example: “Sticky Note Holder” would work well if all other office supplies are organized alphabetically in containers by type (pens, markers etc.).
Then put them in alphabetical order under “Pens” so they’re easily accessible when needed during work time without having them cluttering up your desk space too much; this way all pens are together but still easy for others who might need one nearby as well (or even just coworkers passing through).
If done correctly then no one else needs touch anything else than theirs own personal items because everything else has been sorted out beforehand – allowing everyone some privacy while still being able-minded enough not forget where they placed their own belongings.”
Maximizing Productivity: Organizing Your Office For Success: Are you having trouble staying focused and productive in the office? Check out our guide on organizing your office for tips on creating a workspace that promotes efficiency and reduces distractions. From minimizing clutter to optimizing your layout, we cover everything you need to know to up your productivity game.
Make a DIY Mail Center
To keep your office supplies organized, build a DIY mail center. Using a file box or basket, label it with the name of the room it’s going in (such as “Kitchen” or “Home Office”).
Attach a magnetic strip to the back of the box and hang it on your wall so that when you get mail and catalogs, you can slap them on there for easy access later. If you have extra room in your home office, consider using a pencil holder to hold pens and pencils as well!
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| File Box | A file box is a great option for building a DIY mail center. Look for a sturdy, durable box with built-in handles for easy transport. Popular brands include Bankers Box and Sterilite. |
| Basket | A basket is a more decorative option for a DIY mail center. Look for a sturdy basket with ample storage space, and choose a style that complements your decor. Popular brands include Threshold and Made By Design. |
| Label Maker | A label maker is essential for creating clear, easy-to-read labels for your mail center. Look for a model with a variety of fonts and label tape options for maximum versatility. Popular brands include Dymo and Brother. |
| Hanging File Folders | If you opt for a file box, hanging file folders are a must-have accessory. Look for folders that are sturdy enough to support the weight of papers and documents, and choose colors that match your personal style. Popular brands include Smead and Pendaflex. |
| Adhesive Labels | If you’re using a basket for your DIY mail center, adhesive labels are a great way to add clear, easy-to-read labels without investing in a label maker. Look for labels that are durable and easy to remove. Popular brands include Avery and Mr-Label. |
Note: Additional materials that may be useful for building a DIY mail center include decorative washi tape, file dividers, and a hole puncher.
Use Dollar Store Bins to Organize Your Closet
Dollar Store Bins are amazing for organizing your closet, but they can also be used to organize your office supplies. You can use them to keep office supplies in one place, as well as kitchen and craft supplies.
If you enjoy reading, Dollar Store Bins are a great way to store books. The best part about using Dollar Store Bins is that they come in so many different sizes! They’re perfect for anything from shoes to home décor items like candles or vases.
10 Simple Steps to a More Organized Office: If you’re short on time but still want to create a more organized and streamlined workspace, our guide on 10 simple steps to a more organized office is for you. With easy-to-follow tips on decluttering, storage, and more, you can quickly turn your chaotic workspace into a productive haven.
Don’t Forget the Magnetic Strip
You can use a magnetic strip to store small items. It’s like the back of your refrigerator, but it doesn’t look as ugly.
Here’s how:
Cut a piece of cardboard or wood into the desired length of your magnetic strip.
Use a hammer and nails to attach it on the inside or outside of whatever you want to stick stuff on (a file cabinet, bulletin board, etc). Make sure that there is enough room between items so they don’t get stuck together when you try taking them off!
Use Drawer Organizers to Keep Everything in Its Place
Drawers are not just for clothes! They’re also a great place to store your office supplies. If you have a few extra drawers in your home office, use them as storage for things like paper clips, binder clips and rubber bands.
For added organization benefits, consider using drawer organizers for smaller items (like pens, pencils and highlighters) or larger ones (like scissors).
This will help keep everything from getting lost amongst all of the other stuff you put in there at some point in life.
The Importance of Ergonomic Furniture in the Office: Did you know that the right furniture can have a major impact on your physical health, comfort, and productivity in the office? Learn more about the importance of ergonomic furniture and how to choose the best options for your needs in our guide on the importance of ergonomic furniture in the office.
Use an Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer to Store Office Essentials
First, you can use it to keep your pens and pencils organized. This will help you find them when you need them, and protect them from getting lost or knocked over.
Second, you can keep small items like paper clips and rubber bands in the pockets of the shoe organizer as well. This way they won’t be rolling around on your desk taking up space.
This would also be great for storing your desk phone! If you have an old one laying around (or even a new one), this is a great way to make sure everyone knows where the phones are at all times!
| Office Essential | Description |
|---|---|
| Pens and Pencils | Keep your writing tools at your fingertips by storing them in the pockets of an over-the-door shoe organizer. |
| Sticky Notes | With their sticky backs, sticky notes can easily get lost or cluttered on a desk. Keep them organized and easy to access by storing them in a shoe organizer pocket. |
| Paper Clips | Keep paper clips from getting scattered all over your workspace by storing them in a designated pocket. |
| Highlighters | Highlighters can be a bulky item to store on a desk, so storing them in a pocket is a great way to keep them easily accessible without taking up valuable desk space. |
| Notepads | Storing small notepads in a pocket of an over-the-door shoe organizer gives you a designated spot to keep them and makes it easier to grab one when you need it. |
Note: Popular brands that produce over-the-door shoe organizers include SimpleHouseware and MISSLO.
Organize Your Desk Drawer with a Hot Glue Gun
Large office supplies like scissors and staplers can be a real pain to store in your desk drawer. If you’ve got a lot of stuff, it’s hard to find what you need because everything is so packed together.
Instead of buying expensive organizers for all your small items, try using hot glue!
Hot glue is super cheap and easy to use. It’s also durable this method will keep things from falling out while still keeping them accessible when needed.
All you have to do is get some plastic containers (like the ones that come inside lunch bags), line them up in your drawer however you want them, then lay down some hot glue semi-roughly between each section so that it sticks on both sides of the container walls but not too much anywhere else. The result will look like this:
Make an Accordion File Folder Holder
You can use a file folder and a hot glue gun to make an accordion file holder for your office supplies.
Just glue the edges of the folder (or two) together, then fold over the top portion of your newly created accordion folder and secure with tape.
This will allow you to store multiple items in one place without having them jumble around or get lost inside each other when you open them up again later on!
How to Effectively Store Papers in the Office: Frustrated by stacks of disorganized papers cluttering your workspace? Our guide on how to effectively store papers in the office has got you covered. From creating a filing system to digitizing your documents, we offer practical tips on how to get your paperwork under control and keep it that way.
Make a Sturdy Pencil Holder
Don’t you want to make sure that your desk always looks neat and tidy? Want to know how? The answer is simple: use a pencil holder.
A pencil holder will help you keep all of your office supplies organized and neat, so they won’t be in the way. You can even get creative if you want by using a holders made out of recycled materials.
It’s important that people around the office see that you’re professional, so having an organized and well-kept desk is one way of showing them this!
| Pencil Holder Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Mesh Metal Pencil Holder | Made from durable, rust-resistant metal, this pencil holder features a modern mesh design that adds a sophisticated touch to your desk. |
| Ceramic Pencil Cup | This sturdy pencil cup is made from high-quality ceramic and features a sleek, minimal design that complements any workspace. |
| clear acrylic desk accessories | Crystal-clear acrylic construction allows you to easily see what’s inside, while a durable, shatter-resistant design keeps your pencils and pens safe from harm. |
| Wood Desk Organizer | A wooden pencil holder is not only sturdy but also adds a touch of natural warmth to your workspace. Featuring multiple compartments and drawers, it offers plenty of storage and organization options. |
| Rotating Desk Organizer | A rotating pencil holder is both practical and fun. With multiple compartments and a 360-degree rotating base, it makes it easy to access your pencils, pens, and other office supplies. |
Note: Some brands like Officemate and Spacrea are popular for producing mesh metal pencil holders and clear acrylic desk accessories respectively.
Conclusion
A fantastic way to showcase your office supplies is by using a shelf or desk organizer and arranging them in an orderly fashion.
If you want to present a professional appearance, you can use the tattered, wrinkled look for your office but remember that it will be harder for people to identify your brand if you give them the impression that the products are used.
You can add some touch of personality in your organizing efforts by utilizing color schemes and patterns instead of just plain white.
Further Reading
For more information on office organization, check out these resources:
Office Organization Ideas: Get inspired with these creative and practical office organization ideas that can work for any space.
15 Home Office Storage Ideas to Make Your Life Easier: Discover 15 clever storage solutions for your home office that will help you maximize space and keep your desk clutter-free.
Desk Organization: Tips, Tools, and Techniques: From setting up the perfect workspace to mastering digital organization, this guide covers everything you need to know to keep your desk tidy and efficient.
FAQs
What are some effective office organization tips for beginners?
Some effective office organization tips for beginners include decluttering, creating a filing system, and maximizing storage space.
Why is desk organization important?
Desk organization is important because it can improve productivity, reduce stress, and enhance focus and concentration.
How can I create an organized home office on a budget?
You can create an organized home office on a budget by repurposing items, shopping secondhand, or DIYing storage solutions.
How often should I declutter my office space?
It’s a good idea to declutter your office space at least twice a year, but depending on your workload and incoming documents, you may want to do it more often.
What are some ways to optimize storage space in a small office?
Some ways to optimize storage space in a small office include using vertical space, consolidating items, and utilizing multifunctional furniture.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.