Small Office Organization Ideas to Boost Your Productivity
Learn how to make the most of your space.
In a small office, it may feel impossible to create an organized space that fits everything you need. Your office may feel cramped and cluttered, killing your productivity. Believe it or not, there is a way to keep small offices neat and clutter-free. Read on to free up your space with these small office ideas.
Small Desk Organization Ideas
Use a Space-Saving Desk
If you have a small office, a large desk can overwhelm the space and make it feel cramped. Try a slim desk that is meant to fit in small spaces, such as a corner, ladder, or floating desk.
Corner Desk: Turn any room into an office with a corner desk. Snugly place it in a forgotten corner that may have previously gone unused. Now you have an isolated area to focus on your work without taking away from the rest of the room!
Ladder Desk: This leaning desk looks like a ladder and features a small desktop area and a few shelves above it for extra storage. This desk takes up very little floor space because of its vertical surfaces, and it clears desk space by providing shelves for office supplies. Fit a ladder desk into an unexpected space, like an entryway, hallway, or a corner of your kitchen, to create a makeshift home office.
Floating Desks: A floating desk is a great option for a multipurpose room, such as a home office that doubles as a guest room. Floating desks are wall-mounted and take up no floor space, and some models can be folded away to conceal your workspace. When guests come to stay the night, simply fold your desk away and out of sight.
Use desktop organization tools to neaten up your small desk and clear off its surface, leaving more space to work. Your desk will feel much more spacious when it is not cluttered with pens, pencils, notecards, and other office supplies.
Desktop Organizer: An organizer helps you keep a variety of items in easily accessible places. These items can include pens, pencils, paper clips, files, notecards, staplers, and more. Many organizers have specific compartments for pens and pencils or small items like paper clips. Some even come with stackable parts that are adjustable for small spaces. These organizers save space by combining all of your desk storage into one compact place.
Pencil Holders: If you have lots of pens and pencils, consider a pen or pencil holder. Many holders come with compartments to separate pens and pencils, while others have additional spots for other items such as scissors or rulers.
Paper Organizers: If you like to keep important papers and correspondence close at hand, paper and desktop file organizers may be helpful. A paper organizer has a small number of shelves or racks to keep printer paper readily available and important papers such as mail and bills easily accessible. A desktop file organizer is similar to a paper organizer but has more shelves to help you separate your papers into specific categories.
Small Office Storage Ideas
It can be tough to find storage space in a cramped home office. If you have a lot of office supplies, you’re going to need to get creative with storage solutions. Think about corners and vertical organization to save floor space.
Try a Compact Bookcase
Narrow Bookcases: A tall and narrow bookcase can produce a surprising amount of storage. Without wasting floor space, a tall bookcase can make use of vertical space that was previously unused.Try placing a narrow bookcase next to your desk, then move office supplies off of your desk and onto the shelves. Your supplies will still be easily accessible and you’ll have a clear workspace.
Corner Bookcases: Corner bookshelves can help fill a corner that is difficult to use and can maximize your storage. They can also provide an extra surface space in a tight corner next to your desk. Place your printer and extra paper onto the shelves of your corner bookshelf to create a makeshift printer stand and clear up space on your desk.
Room Divider Bookcases: If you would like to section off part of a room for privacy, consider a room divider bookcase. These bookcases are wide and usually open, separating you from the main room without completely shutting you out. For more privacy, fill the shelves with leafy greenery. Plants will help create a relaxing workspace that shuts out distractions from the rest of your home.
Containers are an easy and affordable way to store office supplies. If you’re worried about space, try stacking containers to free up the surrounding floor. Alternately, place baskets or containers in little-used areas, like in a corner, under a desk, or on top of a bookcase. You can also use containers to maximize your existing storage infrastructure – use storage containers on shelves and inside cabinets to neatly organize supplies.
If you’re working with lots of physical papers and files, you’ll probably need some kind of a filing system. This can be an issue in a small office where floor space is very valuable. Instead of a wide and cumbersome model, try a tall and narrow vertical filing cabinet. This option will give you lots of drawers to separate out your files without filling your room. Place your filing cabinet next to your desk for an extra surface space for whatever you like – try out a mini coffee station with a coffee maker and your favorite mug. You could also place family photos or a snack basket close at hand.
If you don't have a lot of floor space to work with, wall-mounted shelves are a space-saving solution.
Wall-Mounted Shelves: Install wall-mounted shelves above your desk to hold books, notes, pens, or even decor to make your space feel comfortable.
Corner Shelves: Corner shelves can help you take advantage of rarely used space in the corners of your room. Try stacking a few corner shelves in a corner near your desk to organize small items – use holders for pencils, pens, and highlighters, or display a stapler, hole puncher, and tape dispenser on separate shelves.
Floating Shelves: Floating shelves are perfect if you like minimal decor and want a sleek and slim area to hold your office essentials. They are installed to look like they are truly floating. Check out our How to Install Floating Shelves: A Must-Read guide to learn how to install them.
