TL;DR
This busy home office had too many books and papers and no system for where papers land, live or leave. Kathi set up vertical files for incoming and active papers, separate folders for short-term and permanent papers, cleared out unneeded supplies and books, then designed a u-shaped desk with proper drawers and shelves.
Situation: A very productive and active office with too many books and papers and not enough cabinets, file drawers or shelves.
Challenge: No system was in place for all of the papers to land when they arrived into the home office. Also there was no specific place for them to live while they were in use and needed. The big issue was that there was no set strategy for them to leave when they were no longer needed.
Solution: We created a filing system that organized the papers vertically (look to the left of the monitor) as they arrived and when in use. We also created file folders for the papers that were needed for a short time and also a separate area for those that were needed permanently.
After the papers were organized, we grouped and organized the office supplies and books, getting rid of the unnecessary items. Once we saw what remained, we redesigned the office and had a wall to wall u-shaped desk built with proper file drawers, drawers, cabinets and book shelves.
Now the office has a home for everything with more space. The owner can get even more work completed in less time and with less stress.
Keep reading
- Home Office Design, Organizing Desk Configuration (part 1)The L-shaped desk setup that keeps paper off your desktop.
- A Busy Home Office Overwhelmed with Paperwork Gets Freedom Filed!How one business owner with several corporations got her records under control.
Frequently asked questions
Why do papers pile up in a home office?
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In this office there was no place for papers to land when they arrived, no set place for them to live while in use, and, the biggest issue, no plan for them to leave when no longer needed.
How should I organize papers that are in use?
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Kathi set up a vertical filing system beside the computer monitor for papers as they arrive and while they are in use. Papers needed for a short time got their own file folders, with a separate area for papers kept permanently.
Should I buy new office furniture before or after organizing?
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After. Kathi organized the papers first, then grouped the supplies and books and got rid of what was not needed. Only once she saw what remained did she redesign the office with a built-in u-shaped desk, file drawers, cabinets and shelves.
This is a snap shot of my office above, but worse! I need your help in creating a file system for personal and business. right now things are so unorganized if I was asked for a certain document it would probably take me hours if not days to find it 🙁
Thanks,
Cheryl