Make Your Workspace Work: 4 Organization Tips

make your workspace work

Make Your Workspace Work

Disorganization is the enemy of productivity, so whether you work from home or have a traditional office space, it’s important to tidy up. The tricky part? Most offices are small, which means you’ll need to be strategic in your use of space. Clearly, it’s time for some storage hacks.

Remember, as with everything in life, the key is to find a space for all the key components and then plug in your little extras – big rocks first, gravel and sand after. And in the office, that means building the perfect desk area, then filling out the room from there.

Zoning Laws

When we design cities, we break them down into residential zones, commercial zones, and mixed areas. You need zones in your office, too. Split the area up into a primary work zone, a storage area for supplies, another for reference materials, and finally a space for personal items. While the lines don’t need to be strict – sometimes there’s an apartment over the coffee shop – they should help you keep your primary workspace uncluttered and ready for the task at hand.

Work With What You Have

Whether you’re crammed in a cubicle or trying to find space for a home office, your work area doesn’t need to be picture perfect – just work with what you have. That might mean building your desk under the stairs or creating a compact closet office. These are perfect solutions for when there isn’t a traditional office available.

Similarly, you don’t have to invest in all new storage materials when you can just spruce up what you have. Tired of that old wire shelf? Give it a fresh coat of paint and add wire shelf liners for an easy-to-clean supply area. Your folders, staplers, and office plants will look smart in their new home.

Think Vertically

When you’re short on space, one of the best ways to maximize the available area is to think vertically. By focusing on adding storage space up your walls rather than all around you, you can create a reduced sense of clutter and still have room for everything you need.

Bookcases are a simple example of vertical storage, but you can also add floating shelves, mount cubbies of various sizes, or choose an all-in-one desk and storage solution that rises towards the ceiling. From there, just organize items based on need – supplies for restocking up towards the top and more frequently used items within reach when seated.

Be Task Oriented

Obviously, different storage approaches work better for different jobs. Have a lot of small tools for creative work but not a lot of physical files? A peg board might be the perfect solution.

Peg boards, formerly relegated to sheds and workbenches, are hitting their stride lately as a great way to hang items without putting hundreds of holes in your wall. Just post a peg board and add different hooks and supports as needed. They even make small shelves and baskets for peg boards. You’ll find everything is right in arm’s reach.

Similarly, if you do a lot of work standing up or want to make sure there’s space to squeeze in a little workday stretching, vertical storage can be great because it keeps your space uncluttered. Paired with an adjustable sit/stand desk, you’ll be ready to take on the day from your newly structured office.

Every office can benefit from an organizational upgrade, whether it’s some new shelves or a couple of hooks to keep sweaters and tote bags out of the way, so don’t be afraid to renovate and innovate.

The less time you spend shifting items around during the workday, the more time you’ll spend actually getting things done.