The key to a peaceful home office is that it should be a place that is comfortable for you. Some people like a cluttered, unorganized office. They feel comfortable amid all the chaos. They consider it energizing. This is not the article for them. I can work in such an environment, but I am far more comfortable in an area that is free of clutter and organized to suit my needs. It doesn’t have to be spotless (and it never has been) but it should not distract from my work. Here are a few ideas for getting your home office to work for you.
Eliminate the paper
The first and most important step in creating a peaceful office is to get rid of the things that you don’t need. This can be difficult because we are good at fooling ourselves. We think we need things that we simply don’t need. I used to keep several hundred books in my office. I considered them a reference library. The problem was that I never used them. Most of the books were ones I had read and would never read again. Others were books that I hadn’t read and never would. I was fooling myself.
I reduced my library from hundreds of books to about two dozen. Most of those were books of poetry, which I enjoy reading and are great for taking a break. The books fit on a single, three-foot tall bookcase. It was painful giving away my other books, but I really haven’t missed them.
Other items I have gotten rid of include my file cabinets. I now have a single plastic file box that I keep all of the most necessary paper records in. Everything else I either scanned into my computer or threw away. I was convinced I needed all of those notes, fliers, old articles and such but I really didn’t. I haven’t missed them either.
Get furniture you can use as storage
For most of the items that I did keep, I chose to hide them efficiently. I invested in two ottomans that open up to provide storage. My cat likes to sleep on top of them.
Beyond reducing clutter, I have painted my office a peaceful blue. I have one piece of art and one calendar on the walls. I rarely notice them though because when I want to look at something besides the computer, I like to look out the window.
Keep a simple desk
As for my desk, I have reduced it to my laptop computer, an additional monitor, my printer and a notebook. I keep my office supplies in my closet because I need them only occasionally. I sit in a very comfortable recliner and I do my work. I also have a fan and a garbage basket. That is it for my whole office. It is simple and peaceful. For me, that is what works best.
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John,
I took a week off in December to clean up/fix up my office. I had some painting and carpet cleaning done, but the main thing was to get rid of lots of “stuff” I have accumulated over the past 15+ years. Although, like you, my files are now scanned into my computer, I had paper files from years ago that were just taking up space. I feel much more comfortable and productive now that it is all gone—much to the recycler and a little into storage.
Your office sounds lovely.
Thank you Lillie. The price of a clean office is eternal vigilance.