How to declutter your home office this Spring
Home offices have become the norm in recent years, but they have their downsides. It can be difficult to find time to maintain a tidy space when tied to your desk for much of the day. But home office organisation isn't just a matter of looking neat and tidy, it can have a big impact on your productivity, not to mention your stress levels.
After working through the depths of winter, spring is the traditional time to declutter your home office. But if you want to breathe new life into your remote working space, what should you do?
Deep clean the surfaces
As we spend so much time at our desks during the week, dirt and dust can soon build up. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove the dust from all surfaces, including your desk, computer monitor, keyboard, shelves and light fixtures. Then, wipe everything down with a disinfectant spray. If there are any wooden surfaces in your workspace, give it the love it deserves with some polish.
Declutter your desk
It's easy for your desk to become cluttered and overcrowded, which can in turn affect your productivity and ability to concentrate. Start by removing everything from your desk, so that you have a blank canvas. Go back to basics. Which items must you have on your desk to work effectively? Put these back on the desk and leave everything else off it. When you restrict yourself to the essentials, you keep your desk area looking less cluttered and minimise distractions.
Upgrade your storage
To stay free from distractions, you need to be able to tidy away belongings that aren't currently in use. Yet adding extra storage units can also eat away precious floor space. Consider investing in multi-functional home office furniture that doubles as clever storage solutions or making the most of vertical space with hanging shelves.
Rearrange your drawers
Once carefully arranged, your office drawers can soon turn into somewhere to hastily throw your belongings without thought. Take the time to empty your home office drawers one-by-one and reorganise them. You can arrange each drawer by category, having one for office supplies and another for important documents, for example. Alternatively, you can use dividers to split organised sections within each drawer. Ultimately, find an arrangement that works for you, giving you easy access to the items you need, whenever you need them.
Organise cords and cables
Tangled wiring isn't just a serious source of visual clutter, it's a tripping hazard. First, unplug and untangle your cables, then use cable organisers or cable ties to keep any loose cords neatly bundled up out of sight. You'd be surprised at how much neater your home office is after this simple change.
Bring in some greenery
Adding indoor plants to your home office offers significant benefits. Research has shown that contact with nature decreases work stress, helping your wellbeing and keeping you productive. Plants also help improve indoor air quality and brighten up your workspace. If you're not an experienced plant parent, be sure to choose low-maintenance plants such as snake plants, peace lilies and ferns.
Add some personality
Since you spend so much time in your home office, it should be a space that inspires you. Add personal touches such as framed artwork, prints or photographs, or brighten up the room with a fresh coat of paint. Make whatever design choices you need to get the most joy from your home office, whether you want the space to feel energising or serene.
Keep the space focused
On the other hand, some non-work-related belongings can be sources of distraction. Be ruthless and remove any items that fit this description so your productivity can soar. Don't panic, you don't have to get rid of them completely – just relocate them to a more suitable area.
Declutter your home office with Hammonds
Spring cleaning your home office is more than just a seasonal chore. It's an opportunity to design a working space that not only helps you feel productive but is also a pleasure to be in. Follow our advice above and you'll be well on your way to creating your ideal place to work.
Want some help transforming your home office? Don't hesitate to get in touch with our team to learn more about our home office storage solutions. Alternatively, you can book a design visit and one of our designers will help you create your perfect space.
