Let's talk about home office storage. Setting up your home office isn't just about choosing the right tables and chairs. Those things are very important, but it's also vital to choose the proper storage and maintain an organised home office.
Efficient storage helps you keep your essentials in place. Notice that an untidy room isn't just an eyesore but also a hassle to work in since everything isn't accessible enough? If it takes you minutes going from corner to corner to find a supply that should just be within your reach, it's time to rethink your home office storage.
From the supplies on your desk to the larger items, revamp your home office with these 16 simple tips and hacks, including storage furniture, mini organisers, and DIYs.
Declutter
The first step to an organised home office is to reduce the number of things to store by eliminating unneeded items. It's no secret that the home office is one of the most cluttered parts of your flat. With all the papers and small office items, it's easy to make your work area a mess.
Start your decluttering process by getting three boxes: one for the items you will keep, one for donation, and the other for tossing out. Once you clear the unneeded items, you'll have more room to work.
Create a Filing System with a Cabinet
Digitalisation makes filing easier, especially for home office setups. However, there are still cases where you need to involve papers and traditional filing systems. To keep these paper files organised, invest in a secured filing cabinet with multiple shelves to secure all the paper in place. Having a distinct filing unit will also help your family members distinguish what's for the office and what's for your home.
Utilise Your Wall Space
Have limited space? Utilise your vertical area by installing shelves or hanging some filing units on your wall. As much as possible, keep these hanging shelves close to your table for easy access.
Use a Mobile Pedestal
Another accessible filing unit is a mobile pedestal. This compact office furniture offers small storage compartments for pens and other small office supplies and a larger area where you can keep your folders and medium-sized supplies. A mobile pedestal can be tucked in and out of your office desk to save space.
Convert Your Home Furniture
Home furniture like an extra hutch, chest of drawers, or pull-out cabinet can be transformed into home office storage. These furniture pieces are spacious and sturdy enough to keep your office items in place, even the medium-sized and heavier ones.
Get a Multifunctional Office Desk
While you're investing in an office table, consider getting a unit that comes with built-in storage. Some office tables have attached shelves, pull-out drawers, or cable organisers. These features can help you maintain a tidy home office while keeping your supplies accessible. Although desks with attached storage are bulkier than standard study tables, they will surely make storing easier.
Hang a Peg Board
Squeeze storage into your limited space by installing a pegboard for your stationery and small electronics. Hang a cork board and some open shelves to anchor the board. Include some decorative pieces and greens in between the items. This will give you an organised and aesthetically pleasing home office.
DIY Your Pen Storage
Get your creative hands working by making your own storage. Old glass containers, jars, canisters, or tissue tubes can be transformed into pen holders. This DIY project can also help you convert your clutter into something useful.
Use Supply Carts
A way to make your supplies accessible and organised is to use mobile storage solutions. A supply cart with shelves and casters can help you mobilise your supplies and keep them within your reach wherever you are. A tiered trolley is lightweight furniture that can transform your home office.
Utilise Baskets and Trays
Elevate your home office storage and aesthetics by utilising rattan or plastic trays and baskets to organise your office supplies. Low trays are great for keeping things that you need handy, and baskets are good for separating supplies by category. Because of their designs, these two can add visual interest to your workspace.
Store with Mega Boxes
Storage boxes are great go-tos if you need immediate storage for your office supplies. Boxes aren't limited to organising small office items. Mega boxes can help you keep files and bigger equipment in one secure place. They come in different sizes, so if you're looking for something that suits your needs, you will surely find a box to fit your essentials. Make sure to use labels when using a box so you can easily distinguish your items.
Mount Your Floating Shelves
Wall-mounted storage solutions are popular due to their benefits in terms of space-saving and aesthetic appeal. Install your shelf on top of your table, close to your reach, and be creative with how you stock your office essentials. For additional visual interest, lay out some task lighting.
Fit in a Slim Bookshelf
Do you have an awkward corner in your home office? Try adding a slim bookshelf to fill in your space. Bookshelves automatically give your space a smart look while giving you the freedom to organise and make your essentials part of your office’s design. To create a layered look, you can stack books and office items together.
Buy a Desktop Organiser
If you have enough space on your table, you might as well utilise it to keep your files within your reach. Instead of stacking papers on your tabletop while working on another, keep them on your organiser so you can easily pull out what you need.
Don't Forget the Cord Organiser
Your cords and cables can sometimes be so evil that they seem to tangle on their own. They are often a visual hole even if your home office is already organised, but what can you do? You need these cords for your setup to function. Cord organisers that you can stick to your table can help you organise your wires without ruining the overall look of your office.
Use Kitchen Storage for Your Home Office
Some office organisers like office aisles and trays, are pricey, but there are cheaper alternatives that can give you the same functions. Some utensil holders and plastic kitchen containers are more affordable and sturdy enough to hold your office supplies. Think about a kitchen organiser to arrange pens inside your drawer or cutlery holders for your scissors. If you have spare mason jars in your kitchen, feel free to convert them into office storage.
Working from home might not be new to us this time, but it still comes with many challenges and adjustments, especially in separating the home office from our personal space. Having the right storage, along with your ergonomic chair and office table, can help you create a well-defined area that will inspire wellness and productivity.