Decluttering Your Work Life: When Work-From-Home Became Permanent

So many people find themselves in a situation where working from home has become a permanent option. While this certainly affords us many perks like avoiding a daily commute and living our 9 to 5 in comfy clothes, many of us struggle with balancing our home and work life in the same space.

Create one zone for your office in your home. This is key to ensuring you don't feel like you live at work. If you work paperless on a laptop, this will be an easy task. Find one spot for your laptop to live after your work day is done. Make sure you are working in areas that aren't disruptive to other people in your home. If you have a weekly call that requires you to have quiet space, find a room with a door. If you are at the kitchen counter and don't live alone, there is a big chance you will get in the way of others going about their day. 

If your job requires supplies (think notebooks, printouts, supplies, or a desktop computer), select a spot that is dedicated for your office. If you have a guest room, use that. Yes, you will have to shift when you have guests but typically people are only staying for a long weekend. If you have family from out of town often or for long periods of time, look for a different room. 

Maybe a large closet? Maybe in the basement? Maybe in your bedroom? Your bedroom is the last resort, it’s not ideal to go to bed staring at the desk you just sat at for hours. But If it needs to be in your bedroom or in an open space, keep it tidy. 

Clear the piles at the end of the day, reset your computer and close all the tabs, remove your lunch plate and coffee cups. Sometimes we print items out, mark them up and then edit them digitally. Discard old drafts or past projects that you no longer need. Piles of outdated paperwork can create confusion on which is the most current which then will cost you time trying to figure it out. 

If you have an urge to go buy “pretty” office supplies and folders, first look at what you really use and need to store. This way you can buy items that will add value to your home office. Remember to keep it simple. Don't over color code or label. If your system is too specific it can easily become annoying to maintain. 

You want to start each day with a clear work surface. Plus, it will look nice when others have to look at it during off hours.

Additional Resources:

Stay at Home Mom Working from Home - Organization Tips (from Low Lift Fun)

Elevate Your Workspace in 5 Easy Steps (from Heyday Homes)