Keeping an office clean can be quite a challenge, especially if you have more than a few employees. Thankfully, you can avail the services of professional office cleaners to ensure that everything stays neat and organised.
That being said, you and your coworkers should still strive to minimise clutter. This not only boosts your productivity, but also makes you feel less stressed. A tidy workspace is also better for your overall health. For one, there would be fewer things to accumulate dust that can trigger allergies; there’s also less risk of getting into accidents.
For some simple yet smart and effective ways to declutter in the office (whether it’s at home or otherwise), here are some suggestions:
Find Paperless Solutions
One of the biggest sources of clutter in the office is paper. From official documents to random sticky notes, there’s quite a literal mountain of paper you have to deal with at work.
Of course, there are some types of paperwork that you can’t get rid of completely. A good example here would be contracts with your clients, which need to be signed and filed away. For others, however, you can go the paperless route.
Fortunately, thanks to technology, there are plenty of paperless solutions that you can use for free. These include note-taking apps, cloud storage, and file-sharing sites. If you prefer taking down notes (e.g., during meetings), keep a notebook or two on your desk. Then, move the rest into your phone or the cloud.
Get a Rolling Cart
Some people prefer to keep the things they need on their desk for accessibility. However, this can result in a lot of clutter and a smaller work area. This is particularly true if you don’t have a large desk to begin with.
To keep things within easy reach without overcrowding your desk, you can get a multilayer rolling cart. Place it nearby so you can just pull it close if you need anything from it. Of course, make sure to organise the items inside. A rolling cart is also useful for communal office supplies.
Use Binder Clips for Organising Wires
There are times when your desk is actually neat and clutter-free, but looks chaotic because of all the wires. The best answer to this is to do away with wires as much as possible by getting Bluetooth devices and accessories.
However, this isn’t always possible. There are many electronics that require or work better with a wired connection. In addition, it’s a little expensive to go completely wireless.
If it’s not feasible for you at the moment to purchase wireless devices, don’t fret. There are many simple and smart solutions to choose from. One of them is to use products like cable ties, cable wraps (those plastic spirals, which are usually clear or black), and cable trays.
For a quicker and more cost-effective fix, you can also make use of binder clips. Simply attach them on the edge of your desk and then pull the cords through the handle. To make things even more organised, you can add wire labels or use colour-coded binder clips.
Colour-Code Your Stuff
Speaking of colour-coding, this is a useful technique in keeping things organised and preventing clutter from overtaking your space. This is especially helpful when you’re dealing with multiple files, bills, and documents.
You can also colour-code your digital files, so you don’t have to spend time clicking on multiple folders just to find one image or spreadsheet. It’s also a great idea to use a unified file naming system. Here’s an example you can follow: Project Name_Date YYYYMMDD_Item or File Name_Creator of the File_Version Number
Obviously, you don’t have to follow this exact format. The key is to agree with your colleagues on how to name your digital files, so that it’s easy to trace which file is from whom and where it needs to go.
Install “Floating” Shelves
If you don’t have a lot of floor space in your office for cabinets and other storage solutions, you can take advantage of the walls. Install “floating” shelves or open shelves so you can place your must-haves within easy reach without making the space look too cramped.
There are also other wall-mounted solutions you can make use of, like tracking systems with hooks and peg boards. What’s great about these is that even if you don’t have a lot of wall space (e.g., you work in a cubicle), you can still make them work.
Divide Your Drawers
When it comes to office clutter, one of the quickest fixes is to throw everything in a drawer. The logic is simple: if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. The problem with this is when the time comes that you actually need something from among the stuff you threw into your drawer.
So, to save yourself some time and a lot of trouble, you can simply divide and conquer your drawers. Get a couple of trays so you can separate items like pens, flash drives, charging cables, and the like. If you have a deep enough drawer, you can buy those sliding organisers so you can maximise the space.
Of course, it can be challenging to keep your office space 100% clutter-free at all times; most of the time, things are dependent on the nature of your job and industry. That being said, these decluttering and organisation tips can help you keep things neat and easily accessible so you can work as efficiently as possible.