Whether your home office is where you work full-time, run your side hustle, or manage your household, getting and staying organized is the key to efficiently getting things done. When you are surrounded by stacks of paper, to-do lists everywhere, and other visual clutter, staying focused and on task is difficult to do. Learn more about the benefits of decluttering here. It’s easy for our workspaces to become a little chaotic when they are in the middle of our living spaces. The good news is that with a little organization and intentional efforts, you can transform your workspace into a creative and productive place. These simple, yet highly effective tips will help you get there.
Eliminate the Excess
It’s exciting to start organizing all the things, but FIRST we need to DECLUTTER. There are likely items in your space that don’t belong there or need to go overall. Divide everything into these decluttering categories – keep, donate, recycle or toss. For this space, it will be helpful to include a shred category as well. Tackle one area at a time to avoid overwhelm. Work in small sections like your desktop or a drawer. Slow and steady wins this race!

Define Your Purpose
To create a productive space, you need a clear purpose. What activities does your space support? Is it a work only environment or does it serve a dual purpose? It’s ok if it’s a space for more than one activity. Identifying this will help you create an organizing plan that works. Any items you found that don’t belong in this space when you were decluttering can go. Remove anything unrelated to your purpose to minimize distractions.
Zone & Organize
Now that you have identified the purpose of your workspace, you can divide the space into functional areas and start organizing. Organizing your space by zones will help you streamline your tasks and eliminate time wasted searching for items. This disrupts your focus. Keep your essential items within easy reach. Use organizing products like desk drawer dividers and tray for your pens, sticky notes and other tools. Use labeled containers, bins and baskets to organize small items and paper. Using a clear container will allow you to easily see the contents, if needed. For items you need, but use less frequently, utilize cabinets or shelves.

Declutter Your Desktop
Your workspace definitely extends beyond the physical space. Clear the clutter on your screen too! Create folders to organize what you need and delete anything you don’t. Be intentional with naming your folders and create a system to help you easily find what you need. Clean up your inbox. Use labeled folders to sort anything you need to keep and delete the rest. Use apps or software tools to help you track your to-do list and manage your schedule. This not only helps you stay focused, but also helps to eliminate the physical paper clutter.
Establish Maintenance Habits
Organizing is never a one and done project. The magic is in the maintenance and consistency is the key to keeping your workspace functional. Set aside 5 minutes at the end of each day for a quick tidy up. This will feel so good as you start each new day. Schedule time each week to refresh your space, both the physical and digital. Add this to your task list as a nudge to help you get it done. This is also a good time to reorganize any areas that aren’t working well for you and need a little adjustment. Start each new week with a clear, clutter free space!
An organized workspace is so much more than appearances. It’s about creating a space that helps you thrive. You will feel the impact on your mental clarity, energy level, and ability to focus. Spending a little time clearing your space of unnecessary clutter and organizing to fit your needs will create an environment that inspires you. Your creativity and productivity will increase as your space works with you to support your goals.

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help!
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.