How to Fix a Cluttered Home Office
Is your home office starting to feel more like a storage closet than a productive workspace? If so, I am right there with you. It’s so easy for papers, mail, and random items to pile up until you’re left wondering how to fix a cluttered office. The good news is, there is a plan.
With a little focus and a few actionable steps, home office organization can go from messy to more organized and easy to keep that way.
It feels like more and more homes these days have a dedicated home office. Whether you have a home business, are homeschooling, or just need a spot to tackle bills and budgets, having an office space can make life so much easier.
Personally, we’ve always had a little setup with a desk and some filing cabinets. Even though it shares a room with a daybed, I like having all our financial stuff in one place. It just makes things simpler and keeps papers from migrating to other areas of our home.
A lot of people, maybe even you, have started working from home in the last few years. Remote work has become such a huge thing—I mean, three out of my four boys work from home now, and so do I. Our homes have totally evolved to fit this new reality.
But here’s the thing, this isn’t just about work-from-home setups. It’s for anyone with an office space, no matter what you use it for. Whether it’s paying bills, knocking out computer tasks, or planning your day, an organized and clutter-free office is the key to making the most out of your space.
Use Our 3-Stage Approach
Working in a messy space can throw you off your game, right? It’s hard to stay focused when clutter is calling for your attention. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to put things back in order—for your productivity and your sanity.
Now, I get it. Tackling a decluttering project can feel like a lot. That’s why I like to keep it simple with three easy steps to get the job done:
Sort
Clean
Organize
Think of these as stages. Breaking it down this way makes the whole process feel so much more manageable. And today, we’re kicking things off with stage one.
How to Fix Your Cluttered Home Office
This guide is all about the clutter and sorting things out so you know what will stay and what will need to go.
Step #1. Take a Look Around
What’s going on in your home office right now? Is it cluttered? Furniture not being used the way it should? Chairs holding boxes or piles on the floor?
Start by really looking at the space. This will help you figure out where to focus and take things one step at a time.
Not sure where to begin? Break the room into smaller areas and tackle them one by one. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Your desk
- Filing cabinet
- Bookshelf or cabinet
- End table or credenza
- Desk drawers
- Shelves on the wall
- The floor
Make a list of these areas to create a simple plan. Use it as your guide and work your way through until everything is done.
Step #2. Follow the 3 Core Steps
Now that you’ve got a plan, it’s time to roll up your sleeves. Before diving in, make sure the items around you are truly clutter that needs attention. Here’s a super simple three-step process to help:
- Remove Trash
Grab a trash bag and do a quick sweep of your office. Toss out junk mail, crumpled papers, old pens, dried-out markers, or any other garbage. Once done, take the bag straight to the trash. - Gather Recyclables
Next, collect items you can recycle. Think empty water bottles, soda cans, cardboard, old newspapers, or used printer cartridges. Drop them into your recycling bin. - Put Things Away
Use a laundry basket to gather stuff that belongs in other rooms, like dishes, clothes, or toys, and put them back where they belong. For items that stay in your office, make sure they’re returned to their proper spot, like bills, receipts, or office supplies.
Once you’ve cleared out trash, recyclables, and displaced items, you’ll find it much easier to organize the rest. Remember, the secret to an organized space is only keeping what belongs and downsizing if there’s too much to store neatly.
Let’s See It in Action
If you’re new to the 3 core steps, here’s how it works in real life:
Pens
Got 300 pens but only need a dozen? Pick your favorites, put them in a desk container, and donate the rest.
Scissors
Five pairs lying around? Keep one on your desk, one in the kitchen drawer, and one in the craft room. Donate the extras.
Notepads
Found a bunch of half-used notebooks? Keep a few, place one in the kitchen, and another by your bed, and donate the rest. Remove any used pages first.
If you’ve got more stuff than space, it’s time to pare down. Remember, just because you have room doesn’t mean you need to fill it with stuff. The goal is to keep what you need and remove the rest to give you room to spread out and work efficiently.
Clutter Tip for Random Papers: Keep random papers from taking over by setting up a basket for everything that comes into your home—mail, notes, appointment cards, you name it. This way, they’re all in one spot and less likely to get lost. Remember to sort through the basket once a week to keep things under control and clutter-free.
Fun Express 13
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Don’t Let Supplies Take Over
Having a landing zone for the tools you need to work will help you to put them away keeping them off your desk. These guides will give you some great organizing options to try out.
- How to Organize Office Supplies
- How to Organize Messy Office Drawers
- How to Be Organized in the Office
Step #3. Sort Your Items
You’ve already made great progress in your office, so now it’s time to tackle what’s left. Start by setting up a sorting area to help things go smoothly.
Here’s a simple guide to your sorting bins:
- Keep – Items that will stay in your office and be organized later. These are the items that will stay in the area you are currently working on.
- Donate – For items you no longer use that can go to a donation center, a day care, or even a school.
- Give Away – For things a friend or family member might find useful. If you know someome who is homeschooling, they might love your office supplies.
- Toss – For anything that needs to be thrown out or recycled.
Step #4. Organize
Before putting things back into your newly cleaned space, you’ll need to organize. Think of organizing as your secret weapon to keep clutter from creeping back in. It’s not just about storing things neatly; it’s about setting up a system so everything has a home and goes back there when you’re done using it.
Containers are a great way to make this happen because they stop items from wandering into places they don’t belong.
- Pens and markers – Store them in a cup or small basket to avoid scattering.
- Office supplies (paper clips, staplers, tape) – Use a divided bin so tiny pieces stay in their place.
- Sticky notes – Place these in a holder or small basket in a drawer.
- Printer paper – Keep it in a bin close to the printer for easy access.
- Folders or notepads – Use a basket, drawer, or vertical organizer to keep them stacked.
- Envelopes – Place them in a drawer or slim bin to prevent them from spreading out.
- Current tasks and papers – Corral them in a basket or pin them on a bulletin board to stay organized.
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Location Matters
Once you’ve grouped items and set up containers, focus on keeping similar things in places where you naturally use them. This makes it easier to keep the system going long term. Organizing this way not only clears the space but also keeps future clutter from building up.
Home Office FAQ
What kinds of organizers work best in a home office?
Looking for some creative ways to keep your office in order? Here’s a list of ideas to get you started:
- Use a laptop or monitor riser to free up extra desk space.
- Filing cabinets can double as work surfaces—perfect for saving space.
- An action bin near your desk can help prioritize things you need to tackle first. These baskets are also great for incoming mail.
- Stop cords from tangling with adhesive cord holders.
- Use colorful binders to group similar papers together.
- Drawer organizers can make desk drawers much more manageable.
- If you’re short on space, try a wall organizer to maximize vertical storage.
- Got extra room? A bookshelf can be a great addition for keeping things accessible.
- Metal desks? Magnetic organizers are a simple way to add storage for a desk that doesn’t have drawers.
How can I keep my office from getting cluttered again?
The key to maintaining an organized office is building simple habits that keep everything where it belongs. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:
- Take a few minutes each day before leaving your office to reset. Put away office supplies, stack papers neatly, and return dishes to the kitchen.
- Set up a basket on your desk just for incoming papers, and make time once a week to sort through it.
- Pick a specific day each week to handle bills and budgets. It’s a quick way to keep both your finances and your desk in order.
- Add a family command center in your home. This is a great way to keep schedules and paperwork organized for everyone.
Any advice for managing digital clutter?
Don’t forget that digital spaces can get messy, too! Taking some time to clear out your email, computer, or phone can make a big difference. Here are a few small ways to chip away at digital clutter—even when you’re short on time:
- Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read anymore.
- Go through your phone and delete old screenshots or duplicate photos.
- Set up folders in your email account to easily organize important messages.
- Use tools like One Tab, Dropbox, or Google Drive to safely store and organize photos and documents.
Think of digital decluttering as something you can tackle in small pockets of time. Waiting at the doctor’s office? Sitting in a carpool line? These moments are perfect opportunities to clear out a bit of the digital mess.
Taking your cluttered home office from a hot mess of a space and turning it into an organized room can make a world of difference. Setting things up to have specific homes can help you deal with daily tasks more easily, keeping you focused and getting things done.
By following these tips, you’ll create a room that’s not just functional but also a place you actually enjoy working in.
