When running a business from home, it’s easy to accumulate lots of odds and ends that can quickly overwhelm your space, and potentially even flow into your home space too. Decluttering your business space and creating a clean and organised workspace can do wonders for your productivity and mental clarity, helping you to focus and stay on top of your schedule. If you’ve noticed piles of paper or other supplies have started to get in your way, you’re likely due a good reset. Plus, especially if you have clients visiting your home office, you’ll want it to look clean and organised.
To help get you inspired to rejuvenate your business space, we explore three essential tips to keep in mind when decluttering.
1. Prioritise functionality
Everyone has items around their homes, in their cars, and in their offices that they keep because they think they might need them eventually. However, maintaining a clutter-free space starts with prioritising what you actually use daily. Consider your ideal customer, then look at your workflow and task list, and how this may have evolved over time. If things have changed, you might have outgrown certain supplies, documents, or pieces of equipment you still have.
First, assess what you need by identifying the tools and supplies that are essential to your work. Then, begin removing non-essentials. You can always store them elsewhere if you can’t commit to throwing them out, but ultimately, you should dispose of anything that no longer serves a purpose.
If you have space, you could create designated zones for different tasks, such as a writing area, tech station, and a relaxation corner.
2. Use smart storage solutions
Maximising your space with smart storage solutions can significantly reduce clutter and create a professional aesthetic in your home office. Look to invest in multi-functional furniture, such as a desk with built-in drawers or shelves. Even small spaces can be both functional and beautiful with a little planning, so if you’re unsure where to start, spend some time getting inspired.
Another great way to keep your office organised is to utilise vertical space by installing wall-mounted shelves or pegboards – getting things off the floor will help to make your space feel bigger. Be sure to label any boxes or drawers to create a system that’s easy to maintain, ensuring you know exactly where to find or store items. Remember to store frequently used items within easy reach!
3. Adopt a minimalist mindset
Though it can be tricky at first, adopting a minimalist approach can really help you to maintain a tidy and clutter-free home office long-term. Limiting personal items like decorations, photos, and knick-knacks to a select few that bring joy and motivation will give you less to clean and less to tidy, on top of your business supplies.
Regularly evaluating your space, removing items that no longer add value to your work environment, and committing to a “one in, one out” policy where for every new item introduced, an old item must be removed, will help to keep your office organised and tidy effortlessly.
What are you waiting for?
By keeping these tips in mind, you can transform your home office into a space that inspires and enhances productivity. Remember to make it fun by putting on your favourite music and cleaning as you go, and you may just find that decluttering your business space becomes your new favourite pastime.