I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not an organized person. In fact, I’m a certified mess! I can’t even begin to tell you how many times a day I lose my keys or phone in my own home.
When it comes to organizing my office space, I’ve struggled with the same issue: how do you stay on top of clutter and still be able to work productively?
Well, after years of trial and error (and plenty of wasted money), here are 11 simple ways that will help declutter your office so you can get back some valuable working time.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – A well-organized office can improve productivity and reduce stress. |
| – Storing papers effectively can keep them within reach and prevent clutter. |
| – Ergonomic furniture is essential for a comfortable and supportive workspace. |
| – Tips and tricks for decluttering can help optimize office space. |
| – Maximizing storage in small spaces can help make the most of an apartment or office. |
| – Regularly decluttering and organizing your workspace can help increase efficiency and maintain mental clarity. |
1. Keep Only the Essentials
Ultimately, you have to decide what is essential. Essential items are the ones you need to do your job.
If you work from home or run a business from your home office, then these will be different from someone who works in an office space with other people.
The first step is deciding what essential items are for your own needs. There may be some crossover between what’s essential for you and what’s essential for running a business in fact, there often is but it’s important that you take care of yourself first and foremost before taking care of others (unless they’re paying!).
Good organization is key when it comes to an efficient office space. Our guide on how to effectively store papers in the office can help you keep your important documents in order and always within reach.
2. Designate a Place for Each Item
Designating a place for each item will help you remember where to put them when it’s time to clean up. For example, if you have an office at home and an office at work, designate which items belong in each space and keep them there.
This way, when you’re cleaning or organizing your desk or kitchen table (more on these below), all of the items go back into their designated storage place as soon as they’re done being used.
The same principle can be applied to other areas of your life too: Designate one specific drawer in the car for tools; assign one closet shelf for books; create a designated spot in the living room for remote controls; etc.
| Brand/Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Trello | A popular project management platform for teams or individuals. Trello uses a series of cards and boards to help users organize tasks, files, and ideas into a visual workflow. Trello is accessible via desktop or mobile. |
| Microsoft OneNote | A cloud-based notebook platform that allows you to create, organize, and share notes, lists, and information across devices. OneNote has a powerful search function and lets you store and organize handwritten notes, scanned documents, and audio recordings. |
| Google Drive | A cloud-based storage and collaboration platform that includes Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Google Drive allows for easy file sharing and syncing across devices and integrates with a variety of third-party productivity tools. |
| Evernote | A note-taking app that allows you to organize your notes, ideas, and tasks across devices and platforms. Evernote includes features like tags, web clipper, and a powerful search function. |
| Neat | A cloud-based document management system that lets you organize your documents, receipts, and business cards with ease. Neat includes OCR (optical character recognition) technology that enables you to scan or photograph documents and receipts, extract relevant information, and store it in a searchable database. |
The table includes a variety of organizational systems to help you designate a place for each item. These tools allow you to store information, notes, files, and ideas in a structured and accessible manner, across devices and platforms. By using these systems to organize your office, you can avoid clutter and maintain a productive and stress-free workspace.
3. Put Everything Away Before Leaving the Office
If you’re having a hard time keeping your office tidy and organized, it might be because you’re leaving too many things out. When you leave things lying around or on your desk, it’s just asking for them to be knocked over and spilled everywhere.
Don’t leave papers on the floor, put them away in their proper place (whether that’s a file cabinet or somewhere else).
Don’t forget about any files that need to be filed away or shredded, either! You should also make sure all of your pens are capped and put away properly before leaving for the day.
And don’t forget about those sticky notes there are plenty of spots in your office where they can find homes!
When leaving the office at night, take the time to clean up after yourself so that when you come back tomorrow morning, everything is neat and orderly once more.
It might seem like an inconvenience at first, but once this habit becomes second nature, it will become easier than ever before to keep everything looking good!
4. Switch From Paper to Digital Documents
We love paper, but it’s not the most efficient way to store and access information. If you have loads of paperwork that needs to be filed, consider scanning it into a digital format so you can easily find what you’re looking for.
Or if you don’t want to keep everything on your computer, use cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive instead. This will make accessing and sharing data easier than ever before!
For those who hate filing cabinets as much as we do (we’ve met plenty), there are some great digital alternatives out there that can help declutter your office space:
Comfortable and supportive chairs and desks are essential for any office. Learn more about the importance of ergonomic furniture in the office and how it can make a difference in your work productivity and overall health.
5. Use Labeling Systems
This is the most basic advice, but it’s also the most important. Labels can be used to identify files and folders; cabinets, drawers and shelves; boxes, bins and other containers (including those in your car); equipment such as computers and printers; tools like hammers or screwdrivers; supplies such as paper clips or staples even things that need returning!
| Brand/Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Brother P-Touch Label Maker | A variety of labeling machines and accessories designed for home, office, and industrial use. The Brother P-Touch label maker lets you create custom labels for files, folders, equipment, and supplies. It supports a range of fonts, symbols, and colors. |
| DYMO LabelWriter 4XL | A thermal label printer, ideal for creating shipping labels and barcodes. The DYMO LabelWriter 4XL can print labels up to 4 inches wide, and integrates with popular shipping platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy, as well as USPS, FedEx, and UPS. |
| Avery Labels | Sheet labels, address labels, and other printable label products ideal for use in the home or office. Avery labels let you customize labels for mailings, file folders, folders and tabs, and specialty applications such as barcodes and file indexes. |
| Brother QL-820NWB | A versatile label printer featuring Bluetooth, Ethernet and wireless connectivity, NFC smart technology, and built-in label designer software, the Brother QL-820NWB can create custom labels of various sizes and types, including banners and signs. Easy to set up and use. |
| BarTender Label Design Software | A comprehensive labeling software for use in businesses of all sizes. BarTender allows you to design, print, and automate the production of high-quality labels, barcodes, RFID tags and more. It integrates with a wide range of printers and data sources, and is capable of advanced database connectivity and automation tasks. |
The table includes a few different labeling solutions that can help you keep your office organized, including label makers, printable labels, label printers, and label design software. These tools help you create customized labels for files, folders, containers, equipment, and even shipments.
6. Eliminate Clutter Hot Spots
Now that you know what to declutter, let’s talk about how to do it. The first step is identifying the areas of your office space where clutter tends to accumulate. Once you’ve identified these hot spots, it’s time to take action!
To eliminate clutter hot spots:
Don’t let papers pile up around the printer or fax machine. If you have a lot of paper coming in and out of your office on a daily basis (and who doesn’t?), use this space as wisely as possible by keeping things tidy and accessible.
Keep items in their assigned places whenever possible so that people can easily find what they need when they need it.
If something doesn’t have an obvious home such as pens, notepads, or staplers put them in an easy-to-reach basket on top of your desk so coworkers don’t have to dig through drawers looking for these common items every single day!
A cluttered workspace can be a major barrier to productivity. Follow the tips in our guide on maximizing productivity: organizing your office for success and discover how a well-organized office can help you stay focused and motivated.
7. Remove Items You Don’t Need
Once you’ve gone through everything, take a moment to look around your office space. Are there things that belong somewhere else? Do you have drawers full of old tax receipts or outdated business cards? Is it time for an upgrade on your inkjet printer? If so, remove those items and get rid of them.
Don’t keep broken things just because they’re functional enough to use some day—if something is broken and isn’t worth fixing, don’t save it!
The same goes for anything else that’s not necessary: if you never use an item (or only use it once every few years), then consider donating or selling it instead of letting it sit on the shelf collecting dust while taking up valuable real estate in your office space.
8. Make Sure You Have Enough Storage Space
Storage space is one of the most important things to consider when decluttering an office. It’s not enough to just get rid of all your clutter and papers, you need a place to put them.
If you don’t have enough storage space, it will be easy for items to slip back into their old places without anyone noticing—and before long, you’ll end up with more clutter than ever before!
One way to maximize the use of your office space is by using shelves and cabinets in different parts of the room.
Shelves are great for storing books and other items in boxes or baskets on top. Cabinets can store larger items such as file folders or even small appliances like printers and fax machines if needed (though these should probably be moved out during times when they’re not being used).
Another option would be getting some kind of shelving unit that has drawers built within it so that everything stays organized and accessible at once – this will save time since there won’t be any searching involved when trying find something specific amongst dozens upon dozens pieces scattered randomly throughout different spots throughout this room!
An organized and clutter-free office can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Take a look at our 10 simple steps to a more organized office to get started on improving your workspace today.
9. Don’t Allow Junk Mail Into the Office
The last thing you want is to have a pile of junk mail sitting on your desk or in your inbox, cluttering up your workspace. Junk mail is not only a waste of time and money, but can often be harmful to the environment as well.
Don’t fall victim to this trap by signing up for automatic subscriptions for club memberships that you don’t need or never asked for (and don’t forget about all those subscription services!).
Luckily there are plenty of apps available that can automate this process so that you can save yourself from additional stress and clutter in the future.
| Brand/Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| PaperKarma | Stops unwanted junk mail, catalogs, and phone books from cluttering your office by removing you from the mailing list. |
| CatalogChoice | A free service that allows you to opt-out of receiving unwanted catalogs, coupons, and other mailings. |
| DMAchoice | Provides a similar service to CatalogChoice, but is operated by the Data & Marketing Association, a nonprofit trade association. |
| OptOutPrescreen.com | A website managed by the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies, allows you to opt-out of pre-approved credit offers. |
| USPS Informed Delivery | A free service from the United States Postal Service that provides a digital preview of your incoming mail and email notifications for packages. |
The table includes a few different products and services that can help reduce the amount of junk mail that enters your office. These tools help remove you from mailing lists, allow you to opt-out of receiving specific types of mail, and provide digital previews or notifications for incoming mail and packages.
10. Get Rid of Things that Don’t Work or are Broken
If the item is broken, get rid of it. If you don’t know how to fix it, get rid of it. If the item is broken, you will never use it (or at least not as much as if it were in working order). And if something hasn’t been used in a year…why do you even have it?
11. Recycle What You Don’t Need and Cannot Sell or Give Away
If you have items that can be recycled, such as old electronics and appliances, cardboard boxes and paper products like magazines, newspapers and mailings, there are many places to take them.
Some of these places include local recycling centers and your city’s waste management department. You may even be able to donate some items if they’re still usable (such as clothing or small furniture pieces).
Limited storage space can be a challenge, especially in small apartments. Check out our guide on maximizing storage in small spaces: creative solutions for organizing your apartment for practical tips and solutions to make the most of your living space.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you identify some of the clutter in your office and get more organized.
Decluttering your space can be a big task, but it isn’t as hard as you might think! Start with small changes like getting rid of old newspapers or organizing all those pens into one container.
Then move onto bigger things like clearing out old files from your desk drawers so that everything feels fresh again when you come back from vacation—and remember to keep an eye out for new ways to declutter throughout each day.
Further Reading
7 Simple Tips to Declutter Your Office: This article provides practical advice on decluttering your office to improve productivity and reduce stress.
How to Declutter Your Office and Create the Ultimate Creativity Space: Check out this guide for tips on decluttering your office and creating an inspiring space that enables creativity and innovation.
Office Declutter: Learn how to declutter and organize your office efficiently with this comprehensive guide.
FAQs
How can I declutter my desk effectively?
To declutter your desk effectively, start by removing everything from your desk and sorting items into piles. Throw away anything you no longer need, organize necessary items into drawers or storage containers, and create a designated workspace free of unnecessary clutter.
How can decluttering my office improve my productivity?
Decluttering your office can reduce stress, promote mental clarity, and save time by making it easier to locate necessary items quickly. It can also help you stay organized and focused, enabling you to be more productive and efficient in your work.
What are some common office clutter items that I should get rid of?
Some common office clutter items include outdated papers or documents, broken equipment or furniture, unnecessary office supplies, and personal items that don’t belong in the workspace. Be selective about what you keep in your workspace, and regularly discard or donate items you no longer need.
How often should I declutter my office space?
The frequency of decluttering your office space will depend on your work style and the volume of paperwork and materials you produce. A good rule of thumb is to declutter your workspace once a week or at least once a month, to ensure that you maintain an organized and productive environment.
How can I prevent office clutter from accumulating in the future?
To prevent office clutter from accumulating in the future, make a habit of regularly purging items you no longer use, adopting efficient storage solutions, and keeping your workspace clean and organized. Minimize incoming paper and other materials by digitizing documents and only keeping physical copies or items that are necessary.
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.