Back to basics - Home offices

6 minute read

Are you feeling overwhelmed by mess and disorganisation in your home office? Let’s get back to basics with APDO member Julie Stevens as she shows us ways to transform this space into a sanctuary of productivity and purpose. 

Staring at a cluttered desk and feeling the weight of its disorganisation can sap any motivation and drive. But fear not, together we can reclaim your workspace, creating a place where you can feel inspired every day.

I’m a firm believer that our environment affects how we feel, think and behave. Our home office spaces then are vitally important to help us maintain a positive mental attitude. With the advent of work from home and hybrid working, many of us need dedicated spaces at home where we can concentrate and do our best work. But research shows that we each have individual work styles so, if we have to share this home office with others, we should take into account our differing needs as we plan and use this space.

The key is in having agreed systems and processes in place to help ensure that your home office stays organised and manageable.

1. Organising for Efficiency

Whether we work from home or not, we all need a space in which we can do our life admin.  Deal with the post, deal with emails, file relevant documents as a hard copy. And, if we do work from home, we probably have equipment and supplies that need to be accessible on a daily basis.

Imagine walking into your home office and knowing exactly where everything is—the files, books, stationery, tech —all neatly categorised and within arm’s reach. It’s not just a dream: it’s entirely achievable with a bit of planning and effort. It can seem daunting at first, I know, but once the initial sort-out is done, it becomes easier to maintain.

Let’s get started by categorising your items. Think of your workspace as a well-organised library where every book has its place. Papers and files should be grouped by subject or project and stored according to your need for accessibility and also according to your storage preference. Do you need to see and grab it quickly? Files on bookshelves may be right for you. Do you prefer them hidden away or just use them occasionally? Filing cabinets may be better for you. Discard as you go anything that is out of date or no longer relevant. 

Books should be grouped by genre or author (rather than by colour), and stationery can be separated by type and put in designated drawers (hidden) or open containers (visible). This categorising system is the foundation on which you build and design your spaces. Whilst for some this is just about being tidy, for others this is integral to creating an environment where they can focus on what truly matters without distractions.  This is especially true if you work from home and you need more than a computer to do your daily work.

If you are starting from scratch in getting your papers, books and office supplies in order, recognise that this task may take a while. Hence you may find it useful to schedule 15 minutes a day to tackle a small pile of papers or books. You will honestly thank me later once you get started and into the rhythm.

When each item has a designated spot, retrieving and putting back what you need becomes easy. There can be something incredibly satisfying about seeing those neat rows of files and organised pens!

2. Creating a Purposeful Environment

We all need inspiration to fuel our activities and, on a larger scale, even our ambitions. Creating a purposeful environment goes beyond mere organisation: it speaks to your soul and keeps you motivated. With this in mind consider adding personal touches to your space that resonate with you on a deeper level.

What makes you feel motivated every time you see it? 

Perhaps it's an inspirational quote framed on the wall, reminding you of your goals and aspirations. Or maybe it's family photos that remind you of the love and support you have, giving you the strength to push forward even when things get tough. Similarly, these family photos could remind you of your ‘why’, your reason for doing what you are doing. And if the reason you are doing what you do doesn’t relate to family, then choose inspirational images or objects that will cheer you on.

Think also about incorporating elements that reflect your identity and values. This could be anything from a piece of art that speaks to your creativity to mementoes from significant life events. These personal touches create a space that's uniquely yours—a sanctuary where inspiration flows freely.

3. Instilling Honour in Your Space

Honouring your space is akin to honouring yourself and the work you produce within it. When we treat our home office or workspace with respect, we cultivate an atmosphere conducive to creativity and productivity.

Regular cleaning and maintenance can transform not just the physical appearance of your home office but also your mental clarity. A clutter-free desk often leads to a clutter-free mind, allowing ideas to flow more effortlessly. The smell of polish just smells clean - and somehow magically clears the mind. I have lovely childhood memories of dusting with polish - one of my chores - and the reward was not just my pocket money, but a clean-smelling, dust-free room.

Think of your home office space as a temple of creativity and productivity—a sacred space where great ideas are born and nurtured. Just as temples are maintained meticulously, so should your workspace be treated with reverence. Regularly dust off surfaces, organise papers and ensure everything is in its rightful place. Respect and honour for our homes goes deep within us and can bring about a happiness that is quite indescribable.

4. Maintaining Momentum

Getting organised and staying organised isn’t a one-off event. Staying organised throughout your home and honouring your home is a lifestyle choice that requires consistent effort. But don’t worry—it doesn’t have to be daunting! Maintaining a few small habits will reap great rewards.

One practical habit is the end-of-day clean-up. Spend just five minutes tidying up before you call it a day—putting away papers, straightening up items on your desk, taking mugs and plates to the kitchen, and lastly jotting down tasks for tomorrow. This can all help you start the next day full of positivity and purpose.

Weekly reviews are another powerful tool. Take some time at the end of each week to assess what worked well in your organisational system and what didn’t. Adjust accordingly so that you're continually improving rather than falling back into old habits. For example, you may find that you are consistently using a particular pen, yet the container it ‘lives’ in is in a cupboard beside your desk. It may be a great idea to put that container or another one on your desk to keep the most-used pens nearby. Personally, I have 4 pots on my desk - one for pencils (a variety of colours), one for liquid ink pens (lots of different colours), one for what I call bog standard pens and highlighters and then another for my drawing pens. I don’t use my drawing pens that often so they could go into a cupboard or drawer. Actually, I’ll do that right now - it saves a space on my desk! So a regular review is going to be helpful.

When you have your space organised you hopefully won’t be having too many of those moments wondering, 'Where did I put that?'. And you will find that you can work far more productively in a space you enjoy, where everything has a place.

If this blog has inspired you, why not get started today? Choose one area in your home office or work area to declutter and organise. Maybe it's that pile of papers you've been avoiding or the drawer that's become a black hole for miscellaneous items. Set a timer for 15 minutes and get sorting - you may be surprised how many micro-decisions you can make in that time and the progress you can make.

If you would like a professional to work alongside you, take a look our member directory and find your local Professional Organiser. Many of our members also offer remote working to suit your needs.