Clever Office Storage Ideas to Improve Productivity
By Sam Iontton -29/10/2020
Whether you’ve got dedicated space for your home office, or you’re working from the dining table or corner of a room, a well-organised space can make such a difference. Working from home can be tough and sometimes frustrating, so the last thing you need on top of pressured deadlines, zoom meetings and extended periods of screen time is a cluttered environment.
Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, ability to focus and even sleep. This makes us less productive, which can even trigger avoidance strategies like procrastination and fridge snacking. Having a well-organised workspace, however, can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed or stressed, which helps us gain more of a sense of control and a clear de-cluttered head.
Purge your current space
Before we offer some of our clever office storage ideas, we recommend a purge of your current office space. Empty, declutter, shed and remove anything you don’t need or want. If it doesn’t work or you can’t remember the last time you used it, chances are it needs to go. This goes for equipment, supplies and furniture.
After you’ve done this ensure you have a full clean using an anti-bacterial spray. This way, when it comes to tackling your storage solutions, you’ve got a clean workable space to build from.
Out of sight, out of mind
When you’re working from home, it can be hard to differentiate between productive working and relaxing downtime. You may find it hard to switch off if you see mountains of paperwork or anything else that signals thoughts of your office day. The best way to ensure your workspace doesn’t encroach on your off-duty time is to hide it away in a cupboard or storage solution with doors. A wheeled trolley that slots in and out with all your storage boxes and files can be a great way to keep a well-organised workspace.
Neat and stylish storage boxes
Storage boxes are a must-have for your home office or working space. They can hold a plethora of items and can be blended seamlessly into your interior, adding to the overall aesthetics of your room. Whether it’s wooden crates, chunky storage trunks, or even woven storage boxes, there’s plenty of stylish alternatives to suit your taste.
Tasks on check with a noticeboard
Whether it’s a clear view of post-it note tasks or a montage of your favourite photos to boost morale, a noticeboard is a great place to pin and build a motivational focal point above your desk or workstation.
Today you can find noticeboards in glass, felt and cork so you have the freedom to make it personal to you, from postcards to inspirational quotes, a noticeboard provides a blank canvas to make it as work-related or artistic as you wish.
Flexible working with a portable caddy
If you like to move around the house as you work day to day, capturing the best sunlight or just keeping your brain stimulated, then a portable caddy is great for mobile working or if you’re short on space. This can be filled with stationary and placed on your desktop for handy reach.
Label everything
Storage labels are a must-have for a home office. They are simple and easy to use and can be used to label shelves, bins, baskets, drawers, files and storage boxes. This is an efficient way to have complete control over your work and equipment.
Organise your desktop
Desktop organisers and trays for paper and smaller items are fabulous and easy when it comes to decluttering your desk. At the end of every working day, be sure to remove any rubbish, leftover coffee cups and give it a thorough clean.
Don’t forget about your computer desktop too. Ensure all files and images are organised into appropriate folders and clear the desktop before shutting down.
Organise your drawers
This one goes without saying but is often overlooked. Use drawer dividers to sort drawing pins, sticky pads and staplers etc.
Whiteboards and chalkboards
Whiteboards and chalkboards help you plan out your week, prioritise tasks and set goals. They can be easily wiped clean for a fresh start, reducing the amount of paper waste accumulated.
Stacking is key
Stacking box files, desk tidies, and files are the best way to maintain space on your desk or office station as it frees up usable space for daily activities. Stacking storage boxes, neatly, underneath your desk can make the best use of underused space, while tall and slim filing cabinets are a must, should you choose to house one, as they take up less floor room.
Be creative
Ultimately, this space is where you spend the majority of your time, so you need to make it aesthetically pleasing to the eye; otherwise, it can soon begin to grate on you. Keep it exciting and add new, fresh elements regularly. Plants, artwork, pretty storage boxes, and even cushions can make your working space more relaxing and comfortable to work from. Be sure to add a few pops of colour to keep you stimulated.
Benefits of keeping your office space organised
- You increase productivity.
- You reduce stress levels.
- You can be consistent.
- You ensure you meet deadlines.
If you’ve been feeling unmotivated or stuck in a rut, incorporating some of these clever storage ideas can make you feel productive in an instant. Don’t worry, organising your office doesn’t have to take days, it can be done in little to no time at all. In fact, you can even treat it as an ongoing project over time, experimenting with different layouts and see what works best for you.
Once you’ve started in your home office or workplace, you may feel inspired and ready to tackle other areas of your home. Here at Displaysense, we specialise in storing to organising to that you can maintain a functional, well-styled out space, whether this is at work, or home.
