Setting up your home office? Here are the top 5 recommendations from a professional organizer.

#WFH? Check. Since the start of quarantine in March, many of us have been working from home. And in the beginning, we “made do” and improvised. We worked at our kitchen tables and islands; we created Zoom space in the bedroom and living room. The dining room became our makeshift workspace and we figured it out. And now, we’re hearing that many companies are not having large numbers of employees return to the office until the fall of 2021. If ever.

It’s time to get real about setting up a long-term at home office and focusing on organization. Here are my top 5 room organization ideas for home “office” space that works to make you most productive, comfortable, and organized.

1. Get rid of the stacks of papers. “File piles” do not keep you organized. Even in our virtual, online world, we still have some amount of paper. And having these stacks of papers and files spread out all over the available space is not keeping you organized. If you don’t have space for a traditional filing cabinet, a portable file storage box works well. With a lid and carrying handle, it’s an inexpensive way to keep your papers and files organized.
2. Choose a work surface that you can work at comfortably. Our backs and necks hurt for a reason. Because we’re typing at an uncomfortable height – maybe at a counter or on our laps. If you have the space (and the money to spend), think about a standing or upright desk to actually switch up the height you’re working at. A small table works well too and incorporate a desk drawer organizer to keep your surface uncluttered. You can even use a drawer organizer repurposed from the kitchen.
3. The right chair matters. A lot. If you’re going to spend money somewhere, spend it on your chair. A good, quality chair costs about $300 and it is money well spent.
4. Think power. When planning your workspace, know where the power outlets are in the room. Older homes tend to have fewer outlets and that might mean pulling power across a room. You always want to choose safety first so figure out where you’ll need to plug in and position yourself accordingly. Choose a quality power strip (ideally with a surge protector) to keep your electronics safe.
5. Location. Location. Location. One colleague shared that Zoom invites are her love language. A daily video call (or several) is the norm. If you can’t project a background with your computer graphics, invest in a green screen and stand. For around $60, you can project a professional background and no one needs to know you’re working in your basement (my current “office” space).

We’re in this for the long haul in terms of working from home and for some, it will be permanent. So plan your home office organization to make you the most organized and productive.  Need help? Contact me at lisa@yourorganizedlife.biz today….#organized #workfromhome #yourorganizedlife #organization #morespacemorejoy