Storage and Organization Ideas for the Home Office

If you’re anything like me, the home office is quick to become a collect-all for piles of papers yet to be gone through, books and bills that need to be paid, amongst numerous other items that lack a proper place in the house. It is also the easiest to neglect, because when my desk becomes piled with junk, I simply take my laptop into the living room or dining room to get work done. By creating storage places for all these things, though, you will never have an excuse to avoid the home office again.

Closet organizers

Boxes of old file folders don’t need to lurk in the corners any longer; if your home office is technically a bedroom, it probably has a closet that can be utilized for organizing boxes of documents and even office supplies. Purchase closet organizers with multiple shelves to house items of various sizes. Label boxes and baskets to help identify their contents. Then close the doors and forget about what is behind them until you need something from within.

Re-purposed furniture

I have discovered that unused furniture, such as old dressers, can work well to organize random gadgets and office supplies. One drawer can hold papers that need to be filed, while another contains documents to be shredded. Store writing utensils, notepads, extra staples and other office supplies in a drawer divided with a kitchen drawer divider of the proper size. The top of the dresser can be a great place to keep your printer.

Mobile drawer banks

Those three-drawer banks on wheels have many different uses, one of which is to store my copy paper, envelopes, file folders and anything else that fits. It is clear, so you can easily see what is inside each drawer without having to open each one until you find what you’re looking for. Plus, the wheels make it easy to move around the office as necessary.

Decorative baskets

If you have open shelving, you might find that it becomes cluttered quickly. This is where decorative baskets come in. They look great, and work wonderfully to organize smaller items in the office. Large, shallow baskets are great for holding loose papers. Smaller ones can be used to separate smaller office supplies.

Mail organizers

Does your mail usually end up in a pile on the dining table or desk until you find time to go through it? Mine does. There are various items that can be used to organize mail as it comes in, making it easier to go through later. I currently have a hanging organizer with three slots for separating mail, but baskets would work just as well.

More from Tonya:
Bringing feng shui into the office
Ideas for inconspicuous office nooks in the home
Furniture placement tips for the home office