A tidy office is a happy office. But sometimes, keeping an office neat and organized is easier said than done. A messy, disorganized workspace can easily sneak up on a person; that’s why it’s better to stay ahead of the curve whenever possible. If you’re already in the midst of a cluttered office, though, there’s still hope for you. We’ve put together a list of surprisingly effective office organization strategies, and we’ve sorted them according to the severity of your situation.
Office Organization Strategy for the “Slightly Disordered” Workspace
If your disorganization is still at the level of a slight nag, you may be able to use some simple tactics for reorganizing the system you already have in place. Here are a few simple steps to take back your workspace:
- Start by shredding, filing, or throwing away any desktop paper clutter that no longer serves you. Sorry, the sticky notes have to go, too.
- Remove any boxes, unused furniture, and other items surrounding your desk that might affect your daily workflow.
- Place a 3-tier document tray on your desk. Label the tiers incoming documents, outgoing documents, and to be shredded/filed.
- Use containers for all physical objects: pens in a pen holder or cup, paper clips in a dispenser, and so on.
Once things are in order, it’s relatively easy to keep them that way and avoid having this trouble resurface in the future. Create a weekly office maintenance checklist that will help you make a ritual out of keeping your space orderly. Include such tasks as taking out the trash, filing and shredding, and even clearing unwanted files from your hard drive.
Office Organization Strategy for the “Moderately Disordered” Workspace
If things are really starting to get out of hand, you may need to be a bit more drastic in your approach to restoring order. You’ll want to start by sorting through any paper clutter as we mentioned in the section above, and you can go ahead and remove any unwanted boxes and furniture as well.
From there, it would be a good idea to consider rearranging the space. In many cases, clutter and confusion happen when the arrangement of an office does not suit the necessary workflow. So, give careful thought to your usual work patterns. Would it help to rotate your desk? Is your computer placed in such a way that is conducive to productivity? Sometimes, if you simply turn your back to distractions or place your waste basket in a location that is easier to reach, it can make a huge difference in the overall organization of a space.
Once your office has been rearranged, you can pick back up right where you left off. Place a document tray on your desk and label it accordingly, organize physical objects, and make a routine out of keeping your office tidy.
Office Organization Strategy for Workspaces that Feel Like a Lost Cause
If you’re staring at years’ worth of paper clutter, boxes that contain items you wouldn’t even recognize, and furniture that is no longer functional, then your only choice will be to purge. This isn’t just a paper purge or the act of moving clutter to a different space so you have to face it again later.
A true office purge involves donating, destroying, or throwing away anything that no longer serves your current workflow. In most situations of this severity, that means everything in the office must go (aside from your desk and computer). If the task feels like too much, ask for help from a friend or a professional office space planning service.
You spend the bulk of your time at work; you deserve to have a space you enjoy. A cluttered, messy office not only hinders productivity, but can also put a major damper on your mood and overall job satisfaction. It affects your professional image, the quality of your work, and so much more.
If you’ve been thinking of reorganizing your workspace, we would love to help. Contact us to get started today.
