GON Reader Question
What’s the best way to start organizing a home office that’s become a dumping ground for papers and supplies?
-- Jaden in Bayonne, NJ
Maria's Response
Hi Jaden,
It’s easy for a home office to turn into a catch-all for things that don’t have a proper place, but you can reclaim that space with a little strategy.
Start by removing anything that doesn’t belong. Grab a few boxes: one for relocating items to other rooms, one for recycling, and one for
trash.
As you do this, think about why things have been landing in your office. Is it simply because they don’t have a designated spot elsewhere? If so, take a moment to find permanent homes for those items now, so they won’t end up back in your
office.
Next, tackle the papers. Sort them into categories, like file, shred, recycle, or act-on. Once you’ve organized the papers, set up a system to keep them under control. Having a designated place for incoming papers will prevent random piles from forming.
Labeling folders or trays can make it easier to stay on top of things and keep your office from becoming a dumping ground for paper in the future.
For office supplies, group
similar items together and store only what you actually use. Assign a drawer or bins for these items and label them, so everything has a specific home. This step is key because when everything has its place, you’re much less likely to leave items scattered around.
Lastly, set a rule for yourself: don’t let anything enter the office
that doesn’t belong there. Even if you’re in a hurry, take an extra minute to put things where they belong right away.
Step by step, you’ll transform your office back into a space that inspires productivity and focus, instead of chaos.
