Week 6: Organizing the Office: Function & Files

Before you even get to organizing your office space, it's important to evaluate...

What will your office space function as?   

*Is it a strictly working from home environment?  

*Is it a family command center?  

*Is it a space to keep arts and crafts organized?

*Are you a student?  Is it only for studying?  

{Fill in the blank with what your space will be used for}

{photograph from Martha Stewart Living May 2010}

Once you've figured that out, then it's best to organize the space to maximize it's use.  Place the items that you need most at arms reach for your day to move smoothly.  If you need to reference files frequently, then it would be ideal to have a filing cabinet near your desk.  For me, I realized that my space would help me function {as a student} more efficiently if I had a calendar in clear view of my desk. {Below, you can see that the arrow is pointing at my calendar}.

It now functions as a space where I can always see what assignments/exams I have coming up.  Having it in a planner just isn't enough, nor online.  In addition, it's used as a household calendar.  I also wanted a board that would fit on this tiny wall for a bit of inspiration, so I recycled an old bamboo mirror that didn't have a place in our home.  Painted it a light grey, added cork, and started by placing photographs from this Spring as a back drop.  {I also filled the blue jewelry box with office supplies}.

Now that you know your office's function and where your items need to be placed, you may realize that you need extra storage or ways to make your space more efficient.  It's best to make a list before you head out for supplies because you may get a little overzealous once you get to the store {also, to stay green, check around your house for items that can be recycled to help organize your space}.  Right now I'm going to cover filing supplies...

Filing Supplies

Before you purchase storage containers for your papers, think about what can actually fit in them, and is it actually going to help your space function more efficiently? Although it may be pretty, if your papers {or fill in the blank} don't fit in the box, it's not going to help you.  

I personally have a ton of paperwork and opted to purchase a filing cabinet.  I have hanging file folders in alpha order and file mail regularly in them.  But before I had a filing cabinet, I used a desktop file.  It works wonders and keeps your papers organized in folders without taking up a ton of space.  Plus, you can hide it under a desk or in a closet.

a desktop file option:

If you have even less paperwork, this is always an option too:

There are several other ways to store paperwork, files, etc.  You can use trays, vertical file folders, letter sorters and hanging file folders on the wall. Also, I saw this article in this months Traditional Home that led me to a video with more ideas:

I think there are some great tips if you have a minute to watch it...

After you have your filing supplies and create your labels for your folders, the most important thing is to keep up with the filing. I have to admit that my piles to file can stack up quickly...so I find immediately filing is my best bet on staying organized!  


A few more tips coming this week...hoping there was something small here that helped inspire!