Are you finding that you don't get much work done in your workspace these days? You might need to do a little efficiency overhaul. Here are three things you can do this week to make your home office more functional for you.
1. Add More Storage
Rare is the workspace that couldn't benefit from a little extra storage space. You'll be happier and get more work done if you can clear some of the "working storage" from your desk top surface. And when it comes to adding storage, a little bit can go a long way. Try adding just one shelf to the wall, or a small bookcase or drawer unit.
2. Make One Space Multi-Task
If you find your office getting kind of cramped because you're trying to make room for both seating and storage, for example, find ways to melt those two problem "zones" into each other. In our example, a storage bench will help you make some room.
3. Get Rid of Dead Weight
To get more work done in your office, you'll need to get rid of some of the junk blocking your way. Decluttering some of your paper and unused supplies is a good idea, sure. But you'll be surprised to find how much more functional your office becomes when you get rid of buggy office items like an odd chair or wobbly table. If you're not using it, give it away. If you are using it, give it away and then replace it with a new one.
(Image: Flickr member nickcastonguay licensed for use under Creative Commons)
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That picture looks like it's an EDC (every day carry). EDC stresses minimalism and functionality. That would be a cool feature for this site. Check out www.everyday-carry.com or The Verge's "What's in your bag?" series (www.theverge.com).
Not everyone gets to make choices about their workspace, or at least not substantive ones. But that doesn't mean you don't get to make the most of what you do get to do.
My work picks the desk, chair, storage, and location of everything, I move offices often enough to have to stick with portable stuff. Things under my control are lighting (turning it on or off), non-permanent wall art, plants, and neatness. I have developed an almost obsessive (ok, let's just go with straigh up obsessive) neatness and order - all of my cords are tied together, everything that can be is stowed out of sight, and everything that has to be out on the desk is in the same line of sight so it's minimized, and so that the plants are the focus on the desk. Then I tacked up a line of Art Nouveau prints and a colorful, asymmetrically draped shawl (which is functional - I brought in for when it gets chilly or if I'm going out in the cold, so I just pinned it on the wall to look decorative). People remark that my office looks nice, so I guess it's doing fine, and it keeps my soul reasonably happy to walk into my office.
Hey, 'Ashley from The Broken Word ' thanks for that link - what great sites!.
I just did the hugest declutter in my home office - a whole filing cabinet of paper was reviewed - realised didn't need more than half of it so it was shredded and what was left was scanned on my little kaiser-bas. The two drawer filing cabinet now holds office supplies, and only 5 manila folders of paperwork. Losing the paper felt so good!