Use containers and file folders
Those blue things in her cabinet, and on top of it – are so handy for holding files, little knickknacks that you don’t want to keep out, but have nowhere else to put them, because you need to get to them ASAP on a regular basis.
Arrange your books and declutter
Get rid of resources you don’t need or use any more. Period. Store them in a drawer if you must, but don’t have them out, distracting you when you’re trying to work.
Her books are also arranged by subject, but I would’ve done it by height (tallest to shortest). For some reason, that looks very clean and logical to me…
One last tip she could’ve done, was arrange her books standing up right, and the ones of the same height, arrange them laying flat stacked up against one side like a bookend. Looks nice for some reason.. Pleasing to the eye.
Use the same colour scheme
Instead of using green, red, orange, and blue boxes and folders, she just chose blue. Why? Because too many colours create visual clutter as well. The only time I’d choose different colours are if a blue box or file folder for example is meant for one project, and the red box and file folders are for another project that I’m working on at the same time.
Get rid of visual clutter
Even what is on the desk right now, is too much for me. I’d want to put all the staplers and stuff into a drawer to be able to reach it, and pictures – I’d limit myself to one. Only one picture. Or none.
But the little toys and figurines have definitely been cut down. I’d only have one figurine, if any… because A) it would mean more by itself without other competiting figurines and B) I am clumsy and WILL knock them over.
Organize your wires/technology
Notice how the phone wires and the computer monitor are tucked together, instead of the phone being spread across the desk with the wire in the middle of everything? It’s also in one spot, and she has other sections clear to work in if she needed to.
Everything in its place
If she keeps up on it, everything will always look neat. The staplers always go back in the same spot (not strewn across at the other side of the desk or in the middle of a big open space).
The papers tacked up on the side board there, are also confined to the ONE area. So instead of having papers all around the entire section, having them arranged and tacked up neatly on one side, looks much better.
No more Post-its!
Post-its are great for tasks that you HAVE to get done, and need a visual reminder of said task. But if you leave that one Post-it up for too long, you get used to it, and it doesn’t hold the same impact or urgency. I’d suggest making a To Do list and checking it off at the end of the day, and creating a new To Do list when you’re done at the end of the week, but don’t post little notes all over the place.
Loose papers need a folder
Loose papers can always be contained in a plain, manila folder. I use clear plastic ones at work with a big label on them, but the basic idea is to NOT have loose sheets of paper scattered around your office.
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Lady N
on Sep 23rd, 2007
@ 3:52 PM:
I keep a meticulously neat office at work, but my desk at home needs a lot of help. Great tips!
G.G.
on Sep 23rd, 2007
@ 5:20 PM:
Woah, I’m seriously impressed! Are you for hire?
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Sep 23rd, 2007
@ 6:16 PM:
Lady N: Hmm
I used to suffer the same problem…. but now, I find that the less I have around, the less cluttered I feel.
G.G. : Sure am!! LOL…. Send me pics of your cubicle and I’ll post ideas for you
Girl Gone Green
on Sep 23rd, 2007
@ 11:01 PM:
Omigod…
That is my favorite kind of porn ever…
Valley Girl
on Sep 24th, 2007
@ 2:16 AM:
I recently moved offices, and I decided to make my new one more “zen”; I removed all of the clutter and put away anything I didn’t use frequently. Its made such a difference; I feel like I can think more clearly.
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Sep 24th, 2007
@ 7:30 AM:
Girl gone green: Me too… I get so excited looking at clean, organized, neat and efficient spaces.. *shiver*
Val: I clean my desk off every time (clean desk policy at work), and store it in my cabinet. I really should get on organizing my work by colour… and tying up some of the extra cords lying around and giving me a headache.
SavingDiva
on Sep 24th, 2007
@ 10:16 AM:
My desk is clean, but I am not that organized!
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Sep 24th, 2007
@ 3:42 PM:
Savingdiva: Clean is good enough sometimes.. LOL
Should see my desk now. Papers scattered all over…
Candid Cool
on Sep 27th, 2007
@ 2:22 AM:
hmm, good tips i’ll need them to get my home office together
Fabulously Broke in the City
on Sep 27th, 2007
@ 7:54 PM:
I’ll post more organization tips…
I’m sure I have a ton of pics saved somewhere *blush*
It’s my ‘porn’, what can I say?
@hillzy
on Jan 8th, 2010
@ 2:21 AM:
Is there a picture to go along with this post? I'd LOVE to see the office in question..
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Jan 8th, 2010
@ 8:08 AM:
No pics of the office in question — I left the client site
Next time, I’ll take pics if I get a permament cubicle somewhere! But there are tons of wonderful images on Apartment Therapy to help you get inspired.