How to Be Organized in the Office

Whether you work from home or in person, these tips on how to be organized in the office will help you get back on the path to being productive. Clutter can turn any space into chaos, so finding ways to keep things put away can have a huge impact.

These tips are actionable and ones you can use for your home office organization journey to streamline a super important area in your home.

I have been working from home for 8+ years and have learned a few tips along the way that allowed me to compartmentalize two important areas of my life.

A Cluttered Home Office isn’t helping your workflow. Learn how to fix the mess and design a workspace that works for you.

Keep Work Life Separate From Home Life

When you work from home, it can be easy for the lines between your job and personal life to blur.

But without clear boundaries, this mix can quickly lead to chaos and burnout. Setting both physical and mental boundaries is key to staying organized and protecting your well-being.

Physical boundaries might mean creating a dedicated workspace, even if it’s just a corner of a room that is strictly for work.

Mentally, it’s about switching “hats”—when it’s work time, focus on tasks and responsibilities, and when it’s time to unwind, fully step away from work mode.

By clearly separating when and how you work, you can strengthen your productivity and make sure you have the energy to enjoy life outside of work.

How to be organized in the office

Working from home is something many of us are doing now and figuring out a way to draw a dividing line between home and work can be a bit tricky.

But here’s the thing. If you don’t draw that line you may find yourself becoming less productive both at work and at home.

The good news is all you need are a few tips on how to be more organized in your work-from-home space, so your work does not spill over into your kitchen and family room, making a hot mess of everything.

To be organized in the office, whether at home or in a traditional setting, it’s crucial to establish clear boundaries and systems. Here are some key tips:

1. Set Up a Dedicated Workspace

If you work from home, look for an area where you can create a dedicated workspace.

This can be a separate room, a desk in the corner of a family room, or even a small table in a closet of a guest bedroom if you are short on space.

The key is to avoid working from the couch or your bed, as this can blur the lines between work and relaxation.

For traditional office settings, streamline your desk with items you need most often, like your planner, pens, or notebooks, while keeping unnecessary clutter to a minimum. A visually calm space can help you feel more focused.

2. Create Physical Order

Keeping your office physically organized is so important for work. Start by designating a place for everything, from projects to office supplies. Use tools like filing cabinets, drawer organizers, or storage bins to sort and categorize your items.

• Papers and Documents: Have a filing system for categorizing paperwork into “urgent,” “to review,” and “to archive.” Go paperless where possible by scanning documents and storing them digitally.
• Desk Essentials: Use trays or containers to group small items, such as pens, clips, or sticky notes, to prevent clutter.
• Label Everything: Labels save time and help you find things quickly and also encourage you to put things away when you are finished using them.

3. Organize Digital Files

Your digital workspace is as important as your physical one. A messy desktop or cluttered inbox can make it harder to focus.

• Folder Structure: Create a consistent folder system for files, organizing by project, category, or date.
• Clean Inbox Rules: Use filters or folders in your email to separate important messages from less urgent ones. Set aside time daily to delete unnecessary emails and reply to high-priority ones.
• Back It Up: Regularly back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage to avoid losing important information.

4. Time Management Is Key

Staying organized isn’t only about your surroundings—it’s about managing your time effectively too.

• Prioritize Your Tasks: Use tools like to-do lists, planners, or apps like Trello or Notion to plan your day. Tackle high-priority tasks first when your energy is highest.
• Time Blocking: Break your day into time blocks dedicated to specific tasks. Assign yourself focused blocks for emails, meetings, admin work, and breaks.
• Avoid Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time to work more efficiently and reduce mistakes.

5. Schedule Regular Clean-Up Sessions

Set aside time weekly to declutter both your physical and digital space. Clear your desk, organize loose papers, and go through emails.

Regular maintenance keeps your workspace functional and prevents overwhelming clean-up sessions later.

How to Have a Tidy Home Office that keeps you focused and stress-free? Learn how to keep your desk organized and your mind clear.

6. Set Boundaries for Work-Life Balance

When your workspace is also your home space, it’s important to set boundaries to avoid burnout.

Stick to set work hours and resist the temptation to work overtime. At the end of your workday, “clock out” mentally by shutting your computer and tidying your desk.

For those in an office, resist the urge to check work emails during personal time unless absolutely necessary. Protect your well-being by keeping work from encroaching on your personal life.

7. Use Organizational Tools

Apps can help you to organize even more, be sure to choose and use tools to help streamline your workflow and stay organized.

• Use apps like Google Calendar for scheduling and set it up so you review it at the start of each work day.
• Try task management platforms like Monday.com, Trello, or Asana to track projects. Use colors to help prioritize top tasks.
• Utilize note-taking apps, such as Evernote, to jot down important information on the go. Use voice texting to make this tool even more efficient.

8. Develop Daily Habits

Small daily habits can be game changers in an office allowing you to keep things from getting messy and chaotic.

• Spend 5-10 minutes at the end of the day reseting your desk area giving you a neat and fresh start in the morning.
• Review your next day’s schedule before logging off so you are prepare for any appointments, deadlines, or meetings.
• File away loose papers or delete unnecessary digital files before you finish.

9. Create a Calm Atmosphere

Your office should be a place where you can focus and feel motivated. Add small touches, such as a vision board, motivational quotes, or a framed picture of something that inspires you.

Create a space that you enjoy being in. Keep lighting bright but not harsh, and make sure your chair is ergonomic to support long hours of sitting.

10. Keep Refreshments Nearby

A water bottle, coffee mug, or some healthy snacks within arm’s reach can help keep you energized during longer work sessions. But try to avoid letting food or drink create mess in your workspace.

11. Be Flexible and Adjust

Your organization style may need fine-tuning over time. Evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. If you find yourself struggling with clutter or wasting time, revisit your systems and make tweaks as needed.

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Bonus Tips for an Organized Work Space

Now that you have a foundation, here are a few easy tips you can use to keep your workspace neat and organized.

Ready to transform your workspace? These Office Organization Tips and Tricks will make you wonder how you ever got by without them.

Put Everything Back in Its Place

A key to staying organized is making a habit of putting things back where they belong after you use them. It might seem like a small step, but skipping it can quickly snowball into a cluttered and disorganized workspace.

This simple habit not only saves time but also keeps your office neat and more functional.

Keep up with paperwork

One of the biggest sources of clutter and disorganization is paperwork, so it’s important to have a system for dealing with it.

Whether you choose to shred, recycle, or file away important papers, make sure you do something with them on a regular basis so they don’t pile up.

Keep clutter out

Don’t let the space become a dumping ground for things that don’t belong.

If you have a home office in a shared space, it’s important to keep it from becoming a catch-all for things that don’t belong. Things like laundry, dishes, and toys.

Not only will this make your space more cluttered and disorganized, but it will also make it harder to focus on work. Keep boundaries set and the separation clear.

Have a mail system

Another big source of clutter is mail. So it’s important to have a system for dealing with it as soon as it comes in the door.

Whether you choose to recycle, shred, or file away important papers, make sure you do something with them on a regular basis so they don’t pile up.

Declutter regularly

One of the best ways to stay organized is to declutter on a regular basis. Whether it’s once a week, once a month, or as needed, make sure you take some time to go through your things and get rid of anything you don’t need or use.

This will help you keep your space tidy and organized and prevent things from piling up.

Invest in Storage

If you want to stay organized, it’s important to invest in storage that works for your space. This could include shelves, baskets, bins, or boxes.

Be sure you invest in storage that fits your needs and the amount of space you have. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a cluttered and disorganized space.

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create a work-from-home schedule

Finally, create a schedule for working in your home that allows you to be focused and efficient. This will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and be more productive when you’re working.

When setting up your schedule, consider what times of day you work best and try to block off those hours for work. If you have regular meetings or calls, make sure to include them in your schedule.

If you have trouble sticking to a schedule, there are a few things you can do to make it easier.

1. First, try setting alarms or timers to remind you when it’s time to start and stop working.
2. Set up a daily or weekly plan to help you stay on track.
3. Make sure your workspace is comfortable and inviting so you actually want to spend time there.

Keeping a dedicated workspace is crucial for staying productive when you’re on the clock. By setting up a specific area for work, establishing effective organizational systems, and sticking to a consistent work schedule, you can create a well-structured and efficient work-from-home setup.

These practices not only help you be organized in the office but also stay focused and on track and ensure a better balance between work and personal life.

More Tips for Your Home Office:

• Tips to Clean up Your Office
• Office Clutter Solutions
• Desk Organization Hacks