home office organization

How to Organize Your Home Office

An organized home office is like a symphony, each part carefully designed to contribute to the success of the whole. All too often, home offices can quickly become overrun with clutter, leaving remote workers scrambling to find the items they need. But with a little planning and creativity and by following these simple home office organization tips, you can create a streamlined space where everything’s easy to find.



storage

Rely on Storage Systems

One of the keys to telework organization is home office storage, and the systems that work best for you will depend on your work habits and preferences. You can opt for file cabinets, baskets, shelves, or bins, but be sure to designate specific containers for individual items based on type and usage. You may want to use open shelving for supplies you use often and stowaway cubbies for tools you want to keep out of sight. Keep in mind that regardless of the systems you establish, the key to success is consistently sticking with your organizational plan.

declutter your desk

Declutter Your Desk

Wondering how to organize your desk and get rid of the clutter? As a rule of thumb, it’s best to keep only those items you use frequently on your desk. For other items, use drawer organizers to stowaway small items in distinct sections. Office desk accessories can be both decorative and functional, while desktop inboxes can be ideal to store a few pieces of important paperwork. Resist the temptation to keep too much paperwork on your desk—a small pile of papers can quickly turn into desktop chaos if not continually managed. 

prune sidekick

Prune Your Paperwork

When organizing your home office, one of the biggest challenges you’re likely to encounter is keeping important paperwork accessible but other paperwork tucked away. Consider purging obsolete files and shredding documents you no longer need, especially anything with personal information. Create a filing system that separates active from inactive files, and designate a specific space for incoming mail, outgoing mail, and bills. 

Label Everything

When considering how to organize your home office and keep it organized, don’t overlook one of the most important tools - a label maker. Home office labeling helps put your organizational system into action and ensures that each item is returned to its designated spot.

Brother P-touch label makers that are ideal for organizing a home office include:

  • Brother P-touch PTD210 - an easy-to-use label maker featuring 14 fonts, 95 frames, and over 600 symbols, along with a graphical display that lets you preview before you print.
  • Brother P-touch CUBE PTP300BT - a smartphone dedicated label maker with Bluetooth® wireless technology that comes with a wide selection of home office label templates.
  • Brother P-touch PTD600 - a PC-connectable label maker with color display that prints on 5 label widths up to ~1" (24mm).

In addition, consider creating home office labels in different label tape colors to establish an easy-to-follow color-coded system for file folders, binders, cubbies, bins, mail sorters, and more.

command sidekick

Build a Command Center

Especially if you’re sharing a home office with a spouse, roommate, or children, think about equipping your office with a “command center” that can serve as a base of operations for everyone who uses it. This common area should include a family calendar, a bulletin board with important reminders, a printer, and a charging station for electronic devices. 

express sidekick

Express Yourself

At the end of the day, your home office should reflect who you are, so don’t be afraid to include items that are important to you. Consider using empty wall space to hang a favorite photo, an inspiring quotation, or your children’s artwork. You can also get creative with color by furnishing your home office with brightly hued rugs, throws, or DIY desk accessories. After all, a great home office isn’t only a hub for productivity—it can also be a place of inspiration.