Office Declutter Checklist
Need an easier way to clean out the mess? This Office Declutter Checklist is just what you need to get back on track, creating a room you enjoy working in.
Use this checklist to get back on track with your home office organization and streamline another important area in your home.

Whether you work from home, have a business, or need a space to run a more efficient home, having a dedicated space for office work can be helpful.
Our first office ended up being a catch-all room for things. Papers, mail, books, pens, whenever we found stuff lying around that was office-related, it was tossed into that room.
We never really used our office for what it was meant for, and the main reason was that we did not have a specific role that the room played in our family and home.
What is the Role of an Office in the Home?
The primary role of an office in the home will be different for each household, but it generally serves as a space for work and productivity.
This could include tasks such as bill paying, studying, working remotely, or running a small business.
However, it can also serve as a creative space for hobbies or a quiet area for relaxation and reading.
The key is to define its purpose so you can give it a layout that supports that role. Knowing the purpose will also help you know what items can stay and what needs to go, making decluttering easier.
Finally, the purpose will help you to bring in organizers and furniture tying it all together into an important part of the home.
YITAHOME File Cabinet with Charging Station, Mobile Lateral Filing Cabinet with Lock for Home Office, Printer Stand with Open Storage Shelf, Fits A4, Letter, Legal Size Files, Office Furniture, GreyRUNTOP Floor Lamp with Shelves, Modern Shelf Lamp for Display Storage, 3 Color Temperature Wood Narrow Standing Corner Lamp with 8W Bulb for Living Room Decor, Bedroom, Office, Home Decor(Brown)
Lufeiya White L Shaped Computer Desk with Drawers & Storage Shelves, 47 Inch Corner Desk with Power Outlet for Home Office Bedroom, L-Shaped Teen PC Desks with Fabric Drawer, White
When you know the role of a room, you can create a plan going forward making it easier to keep a room neat, put away, and organized.
Office Declutter Checklist
Before you can organize, you first need to remove the stuff that no longer belongs. Having a checklist just for decluttering this room will help you to stay focused and on track.
Be sure to print out the Office Declutter Checklist below and add it to your home decluttering binder. Refer to it any time you need a guide to resetting this room in your home.
#1. Sorting Bins
Before you start decluttering, set up containers that are labeled to help make sorting easier while you are working.
- Toss – Any trash or recyclables.
- Keep – Anything that belongs in the area you are sorting.
- Put Away – Anything you find that belongs in another room.
- Donate – Anything you no longer need, use, or want.

#2. Choose an Area
Start by choosing one area in the room to work on. Breaking things down will help to make this big project a more reasonable one. Choose a space that you can reasonably complete in one week. A few ideas are:
- The desk
- A file cabinet
- A table
- The drawers on the left side of the desk
- A bookcase
- The floor
#3. Start Sorting
Start in the first area on your list, and be sure your containers are nearby. Remove one item at a time, sorting as you go. Here is a quick routine:
- Pick up the item.
- Decide on the best container, Toss, Keep, Put Away, Donate.
- Once your hands are empty, pick up another item and repeat the process.
The trick to effective sorting is to touch every single item and put it into a bin. This will help strengthen your decluttering muscle, making the decision process easier.
#4. Clean
Once you have sorted every item in the area you are working on, take a few minutes to clean the space. It is so much easier to clean an empty drawer or shelf than one that is full of things, so take advantage of this and thoroughly clean it.

This step will ensure you have a fresh and clean area to organize.
#5. Use Organizers
Before putting back the items that are staying, use containers to keep things in place. Here are a few ideas:
- Shallow containers – Great for a drawer.
- File containers – Great for project papers or financials.
- Paper baskets – Great for incoming papers, mail, and school papers.
- Hanging files – Great for ongoing projects or kid’s school work.
- Magazine holders – Great for books, magazines, or binders.
- Boxes/bins – Great to store items such as craft supplies, office supplies, or extra paper.
OUTIOE 4-Tier Paper Organizer for Desk, Stackable Desk Organizer Paper Tray, Desk Accessories & Workspace Organizers, Ideal for Office Supplies, Paper Storage (Clear) (4-Tier)Lifewit 4 Pack Plastic Multi-Purpose Storage Box with Latching Lids, Clear A4 Paper Storage, Classroom Organization, Storage Containers for Board Game, Craft, Document, Magazine, Art Supplies
EASEPRES Mesh 3 Pockets Hanging File Organizer Vertical Wall File Holder Rack
Simple Houseware Double-Sided Hanging Gift Wrap Organizer Storage Pockets, (Set of 1)
SMARTAKE 13-Piece Drawer Organizer with Non-Slip Silicone Pads, 5-Size Desk Drawer Organizer Trays Storage Tray for Makeup, Jewelries, Utensils in Bedroom Dresser, Office and Kitchen (Clear)
VAKMRVE Over the Door Hanging File Organizer 5 Extra Large Pockets Wall Hanging File Folders Organizer Holders,Home Office Supplies Storage Pocket Chart for Paper Mails Planners Notebooks,Gray
#6. Arrange and Label
Once everything has a designated container, be sure it has a clear label so you remember what belongs where. Just a sticky note will work for now, but once you know a layout works for an area, you can use more permanent labels.
#7. Move on to the Next Area
Repeat these steps in each area of your home until everything is organized and labeled. Don’t try to tackle the entire house in one day, as this can be overwhelming and lead to burnout.
Instead, break it up into smaller chunks and focus on one area at a time.
#8. Declutter the Big Stuff
Once you are done with the small things, take a look at the big items in your room. Do you really need that old couch in your office? If not, you can donate it to a family member or relocated it to another room.

A crowded room is a cluttered room, so only keep pieces that support the role that you gave the room earlier.
#9. Organize the Layout of the Room
Look at your home and see if the layout you have now makes sense. Visualize things in different areas to see if the flow is more efficient.
Is there a better way to arrange the furniture to give you more workspace? Don’t be afraid to experiment with different layouts until you find one that works best for you.
#10. How to Keep a Home Office Organized
Finally, remember that decluttering is an ongoing process, especially in an office. Papers come into the home every day, and that can turn even the neatest rooms into a cluttered mess.
Have a plan to regularly declutter and reorganize as needed to keep your office neat and streamlined.
In addition, implementing daily habits such as putting things all the way away and having designated spaces for incoming papers can help maintain a clutter-free environment.
By following these tips, you can transform your home or office into a more organized and functional space that allows you to be more productive and less stressed.
Use the office declutter checklist and take it one step at a time, turning your catch-all room into an organized and efficient office in your home.