Office Organization: Tips to set you up in Style

Office Organization is necessary in all aspects of your life. But one of the most important applications is in a home office. It’s been proven; after all, that efficiency rises in direct proportion to a well-organized space. Did you know that the average office worker generates 45 sheets of paper a day and spends three hours a week looking for things?

The right furnishings, of course, are key, no matter how large or small your office may be. And the desk offers a logical place to start. What type is most appropriate for your day-to-day needs? A simple slab desk, consisting of a work surface set atop a pair of bases (The predecessor of which was the door-on-two-orange-crates type.)? Or maybe a pedestal desk, a traditional type with front-facing drawers on each side? Or, if you’re a two-career couples, a partner’s desk may be the best option.

it's important your home office represents your style

The possibilities, of course, go much further – from dedicated computer desks to modular systems to custom built-ins. But the best choice for you depends, to a large degree, on your organization style. If, for instance, you like to keep all of your files close at hand, you’ll need a desk with plenty of drawers to accommodate you. On the other hand, if you typically need no more than a writing surface, a sleek, streamlined desk may be more to your liking with a roll-around file cabinet that you can pull out of a closet as necessary.

And, speaking of files, make sure that you’re well-covered on that front. But here, too, you do have options. Most typical, perhaps, are vertical files – the simple back-to-front-in-a-drawer approach. Hanging files, on the other hand, allow folders to be grouped within larger dividers that are (as the name implies) suspended from tracks. For the best visual access, however, consider a lateral system, which stores files side by side.

Essential today, too, is storage for innumerable computer disks and CD-ROMs. With proper care, floppy disks should literally last for decades. Keep in mind, though, that sunlight, temperature extremes, and magnetic fields around any electrical device can demagnetize them; a metal box is one good way to protect them. As for CD-ROMs, you’ll find plenty of storage boxes for them on the market, too. Many of today’s well-outfitted desks, though, are just as likely to incorporate CD-ROM storage.

But what about the multitude of other desktop necessities that need a home, too? Pencils, pens, and paperclips can all be tucked away in a drawer. But, for easier access, why not keep them right on your desktop? Beyond conventional containers, consider storage that’s a little more creative – beakers intended for the lab, terra cotta pots, even miniature Shaker boxes.

That said, the real secret of a well-organized office is this: know you. Know what kind of quarters you’re most comfortable in, know how much storage space you need and know how you can expand in the future.