According to a report by P-Touch, 66% of survey respondents admit to spending up to 30 minutes a week looking for misplaced work items at their desk or around the office. More than 1 in 3 survey respondents also said they “somewhat” or “very” often must spend time reprinting previously created documents because they have been misplaced.
Check out our tips below to help you keep your home office organised and clutter free and boost your efficiency. So when inspiration strikes, you won’t waste time searching for your pen.
Storage is key
Nothing kills productivity like a messy desk that’s overflowing with paper and office supplies and the home office is one of those places that can get cluttered very quickly. Make sure you have enough storage for all the paperwork and items you use on a regular basis. Be smart with your space by including built-in shelves in your desk or use baskets to store and file items. Don’t forget to take advantage of your wall space – hang containers or shelves to maximise storage space.
Label everything clearly so it can be found and filed away quickly and easily.
Keep it organised
Keeping your office organised is the key to productivity. Check out some of these great hacks.
- Cable management system: Keep all those computer cords organized.
- Chalkboard magazine boxes: Label your magazine boxes easily.
- Napkin holder as laptop stand: An IKEA napkin holder can be used to prop up your laptop.
- Built-in USB hub: Have a USB hub sunk right into your desk!
- Smartphone cradle: A place for your mobile while it’s charging and keep the cord in its place instead of fumbling around for it when you need it.
- Hanging clipboard: A minimalist but attractive way to keep your to-do lists, calendars, ideas and inspirations in plain sight.
- Organize your office supplies: Recycle your used soup cans and keep all your writing utensils and stationery organised.
File it, scan it, shred it
According to the Small Business Administration, 80% of the papers we file, we never refer to again. Any documents that need to be kept in paper form should be filed away asap. Scan anything else into digital form and file it away in your ‘virtual filing’ system. Shred, discard or recycle anything else you don’t need.
Paper receipts can be easily lost and hard to find when you need them most and the ink tends to fade quickly in certain conditions. With the proliferation of mobile apps available, you can scan or take a photo of paper receipts to save you time and space – a real life-saver when it’s time to do your taxes or to support warranty claims!
Toss it!
Declutter, shred or throw away anything you don’t need or want, including old magazines and newspapers, equipment that is no longer required or can’t be fixed, pens and markers that don’t work and loose papers that you no longer need.
Re-purpose magazine holders/wall brackets
Re-purposed wall brackets or magazine holders can be used to hold items. Paint or cover them to match the rest of your décor.
Don’t waste the corners
The corners are an ideal place for storage or to place your printer or photocopier so it’s out of the way, but still within reach.
Need extra space for your merchandise, documents or archives? Speak to Rent a Space about our business storage solutions or read our blog to learn more about the many benefits of business storage.
