People

3 steps to keeping your home office tidy

Lockdown may be lifting, but there are rumours that working from home could be set to stay for the foreseeable future.

And working from a home office certainly has its perks – it’s more flexible, it cuts out office distractions (such as other colleagues) and you save time on the commute.

But it has its setbacks too – noisy neighbours, other household members, pets and the doorbell, to name just a few.

But whether you’re getting comfortable with your new working arrangements, or wishing you were back in the office once again, your home working space should be a haven of inspiration rather than a cave of clutter.

There are plenty of things you can’t control when it comes to working from home but organising your work environment can help you get a handle on things.

With that in mind, here are three tips for keeping your home office in order.

DIY

Keeping your home tidy is a struggle, but with renovation comes a certain honeymoon period in which people tend to put a little more care into keeping their newly redecorated space arranged and orderly.

Your home office makeover could be as simple as a new colour and some ornaments. If you want to go a little further, features like floating shelves are a classic, contemporary DIY addition that’s easy to add.

If you’re going the whole way with your refurbishment, why not invest in a brand-new door? Oakwood Doors have a diverse and creative selection of doors that can brighten the appearance of any room. Not to mention, doors are essential when it comes to a bit of peace and quiet.

De-clutter

Dispensing with clutter in your workspace is a great way to keep a tidy, minimalist feel in the room.

If possible, dedicate some time to a clear out – it might not be your idea of a great weekend in, but the benefit in the long run is well worth it.

Once you’ve thrown out any unnecessary extras, drawers, baskets and boxes are a basic but effective way of keeping everything organised, and remember to utilise the space as best you can. Shelves, cupboards, underneath desks – with the right storage combination, and space can be made to look neat and tidy while being to good use.

And if you want to think outside of the box, check out this list of unique storage solutions.

Work responsibly!

It might not seem relevant, but good working habits can make all the difference when it comes to the upkeep of your home office.

Working unnecessary overtime from home won’t just make you tired, it will also banish any inclination you may have to keep your home office neat and tidy, stealing your motivation while encouraging you to slip into bad habits with the promise of “sorting it later.”

It’s a vicious cycle too, as mess can in fact make you more tired, as well as affecting your mental wellbeing.

Dedicating as little as half an hour each week for a quick tidy-up can make a huge difference when it comes to your mental wellbeing as well as preventing out-of-control mess.