Genius Tips for Small Office Organization
If you are looking for tips on small office organization you are in the right place. Finding ways to streamline this area even if it is tiny will help you to work more efficiently. Add this list of tips for your home office organization and get closer to creating a home you love.
If you work from home, or just have a small office, organizing it may seem like a daunting task. But with a few simple tips, you can have your office organized and transformed into a streamlined space in no time. Before we can dive into organizing you will first want to declutter and remove any unnecessary items from this space. The best way to do this is to tackle the easy things first.
Remove any trash and recyclables and take them out of the room. Be sure to put them all the way out to your trash area. Next, gather up any items that belong somewhere else. Take the time to put these things away before you turn your attention to what is left.
Whatever you see that is left is either things that are going to stay in your office or things you can get rid of altogether. Take a look and pull out any items you can see right off that you no longer need or use. These can be put into a box for donation.
Keep this box close by as you are streamlining your office. As you find an item for the donate box you can quickly toss it in and keep working.
Once your office is completely clear of the excess clutter you can begin organizing. The goal is to make it easy to find the tools you need quickly. You can do this by setting up containers to hold groups of similar items. For example, you can use a bin to hold office supplies, another to hold electronics, and a third to hold paperwork.
But let’s back up just a bit.
We are moving quickly and I know you are here for more than just a few basket suggestions to hold pens. You have a unique situation, a small office, and even though you may not see the potential from where you are standing right now I am going to open up a world of possibilities.
Let’s see if we can create extra space and grow the size of your office by doing so.
How to Organize a Small Office
One of the best ways to organize a small office is to utilize your vertical space. This means taking advantage of shelves, cabinets, and even wall space to store any items you use in this room. I love this tip because you can go as high as you need to with your shelving. Just remember the higher up you go the harder it will be to access what you have stored there.
Your goal is to keep the things you use often easy to get to. This is your prime real estate. An area I want you to start to see each time you are organizing a space.
What is the best way to organize a tiny office?
Keep things easy to reach for what you use most often and harder to reach for what you don’t. Yes, it is as simple as that.
A few items to store in your “easy-to-reach” storage space.
- Office supplies
- Printer paper
- Receipts
- Current books you are reading
- Financial papers
- Action binders
A few items to store in your “hard to reach” storage space.
- Last year’s files
- Warranties
- Owner’s manuals
- Old books
- Tax files
- Extra supplies
When thinking vertical, look at all the space you have available from floor to ceiling. No height is off limits and that is a good thing because it is going to double maybe even triple the room you thought you had.
Here are a few organizing options for your vertical storage.
- Single shelf – Great for binders, files, stacks of printer paper, or a receipt basket. You can stagger these up the entire wall giving you loads of storage space.
- Shelving system – Great for files, both current and past, office supplies, receipts, books, magazines, and photos. This all-in-one option will give you plenty of room to hold what you need.
- Ceiling shelf – Great for older files, photo boxes, or books. You can install this shelf a foot below the ceiling even allowing it to span all 4 walls.
- Storage cubes – Great for office supplies, binders, baskets, or older files. This does take up a bit of space so you may want to limit this to one wall only.
- Bookcase – Great to hold any files, binders, office supplies, bins, baskets, or books. Again, another space hog so one wall may be the best option to go with.
Look at the Furniture
Another important consideration when organizing a small office space is to think about the layout of your furniture. Consider using smaller, more compact pieces when possible. A good idea is to use a desk that has storage built-in or an armoire that can be used as a mini office setup. This will help you make better use of the space you have and keep things neat and tidy.
Less is more when it comes to your furniture in a small office. By keeping only the items you know you will get the most use out of and removing the rest you will create a more open floor plan giving a feeling of more space. That feeling will help you to be more productive in your office compared to a room that is overcrowded.
Claustrophobia can hinder productivity in not only your office but any room in your home.
What type of furniture is best for a small office?
When it comes to furniture, consider using pieces that have multiple functions. A storage ottoman can be used as a seat or coffee table, while a Bookshelves can hold books, binders, files, even electronics.
Above all, when you are short on space you need to be selective with your choice of furnishings. Here are a few of the most popular options:
1. Office chairs – Office chairs come in a variety of styles and sizes, so it is important to find one that is comfortable and fits the needs of your office. There is also a range of options when it comes to features, such as adjustable height or ergonomic design. Since your chair will be used more than any other furniture piece, I suggest you spend sufficient time choosing one that is comfortable for you.
This is the chair I use in my own office. Even though it was a huge investment it was worth the cost. It is not only comfortable but keeps my back and legs from getting stiff or sore.
2. Office desks – Office desks come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, so you should be able to find one that fits the layout and needs of your office. Some popular features include built-in storage compartments, cable management systems, and adjustable height.
3. Paper and file storage – Paper is by far what most folks will have in the office and where many people struggle to streamline. Some popular options for organizing papers include filing cabinets, wall file organizers, stacking paper bins, and vertical desk files.
4. Office supplies – Office supplies such as pens, paper, staplers, and other small items can be easily organized using a variety of different storage solutions, such as desk organizers, drawer dividers, and storage bins.
How to keep your office supplies neatly organized.
Once you have worked to remove the excess and organize what is staying it is best to create habits that will keep your office from getting cluttered all over again. Here are a few tips on how to best do this:
1. Label everything – Take the time to label storage containers and drawers so you can easily find what you need when you need it. This will save you time and frustration in the long run.
2. Put things all the way away – Most of the clutter you see are things that didn’t get put all the way away. Pens on the desk rather than in the drawer. Papers off to the side instead of in the file cabinet. When you intentionally put things away you will eliminate a large percentage of the clutter.
3. Don’t overbuy – Only purchase the office supplies that you actually need in order to avoid having a cluttered and disorganized office. The more you buy the more you will have to store.
4. Stay on top of it – Make it a habit to reset this space each time you leave it for the day. Just a few minutes will keep this room neat and tidy from here on in.
Additional tips and tricks for keeping your small office tidy and organized
One of the best ways to keep your small office tidy is to create zones for specific tasks. Have a designated area for paperwork, a space for your computer and desk, and a storage area for supplies. This will help to keep everything organized and easily accessible.
Keep your office supplies organized and within reach by using desk trays and drawer organizers. Label everything so you can easily find what you need.
To prevent clutter from building up, establish a regular cleaning schedule and stick to it. Schedule time each week to declutter your desk, empty the trash, and wipe down surfaces.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your small office organized and tidy. Creating an efficient and pleasant workspace will help to increase your productivity and efficiency.
Small offices can be difficult to organize, but with a little bit of planning and some creative solutions, it is possible to create an efficient and organized space. By following these simple tips, you to can have small office organization that is both functional and tidy.