Disclosure: This post not only has tips and tricks to organize your home office so you can be more creative, but it also has Affiliate Links that I earn commissions from. This is how I make a living and keep this little blog running. Thank you for supporting me! I appreciate it. Much love, Kristi.
After four years of full-time traveling, I’m no longer using the local Starbucks as my office. I have a beautiful condo and have created little nooks to use as my home office since I don’t have a dedicated room for it. I have a small space near my living room window that I was able to put nightstand table so I could enjoy my morning coffee while typing away on my MacBook Air. I then use my bar top as a makeshift stand up desk that I use as my shipping area. I need spaces that are multifunctional that allow me to be both productive AND creative. I want to share with you 8 ways to organize your home office to be more creative – let me know in the comments if you have some ideas I didn’t think about.
Desk Organizer
I will be honest, I hunted for an old fashioned Desk Organizer as everything should have a home when not being used. For me though, I didn’t really have enough space for this. I had a couple mason jars left over from my Mason Jar Herb Garden. I used one to hold extra pens and a shot glass to hold the pens I would use more often. There was a reason for that. You shouldn’t have to search for a pen – it is right where it is supposed to be. Simple organizational tool, yet effective. If I had the space though, I would grab this desk organizer in my favorite shade of blue.
Shoe Box Organization at Its Best!
I run a couple different home based businesses. My business closet was an organizational mess and I couldn’t find anything in there. Last weekend I grabbed the plastic storage bins I wasn’t using for my Lularoe business and put them to work. Using Chalkboard Tape, I created labels for the front of the bins with short, descriptive names. As I was cleaning and organizing, everything went into its own bin. I even made one called Rainy Day for things that needed my attention, but not right now. I already had all the supplies on hand for this, yet it took me a good 5 hours to go through the piles I had accumulated – trash, donation, or the little plastic bin. It’s crazy how quickly I can become a pack rat!
Keep Your Devices In the Same Place
One thing that quickly zaps creativity is not being able to find whatever it is you are looking for. I know that sounds simple, but think about it. When your work and home are organized, you are then more productive and creative. When you have a messy home or a messy car, you tend to have a messy mind. Something as simple as this Phone or Tablet Holder can eliminate the time searching for your phone. I seriously misplace mine a few times a day! When it is on the holder, I have it charging too. I’ve been doing this for the last two weeks to try to make this a part of my daily routine.
Organize Those Pesky Cords Already!
While we are at it, organize those phone and computer cords already with something as simple as a Cord Organizer. That way, when you put your phone or tablet on the stand, the cords to charge them up are right there. Stop wasting time and focus in on the task at hand, whether that is creating the next great app to rule the world or writing the next great American novel.
Chalkboard Calendar
Right now, I pretty much want to chalkboard everything. I can’t change the paint in my place, otherwise I might be tempted to grab some chalkboard paint and either paint the wall or paint the inside of my business closet door (brilliant idea, by the way!). For now, I can buy chalkboard squares that are already made to size or I can use my chalkboard tape and cover a piece of wood and use that. I like how these Chalkboard Calendar squares are easy to use – peal and stick. I personally wouldn’t use these for days of the week, but more like Goal Planning. One goal on each square so I am looking at it every day until I accomplish that sucker!
Small Stuff Matters Too
I first started using magnetic tins years ago for seed storage. Then I started using them when I would harvest and dry my herbs to use in my recipes. I mounted a magnetic tin wall base in my kitchen and was good to go. I wish I would have found these color coded ones sooner though! I have 8 different sizers I use for my Lula clothes and each size goes into a tin. I stack them up four high and call it a day. I can’t imagine not using these little tins to organize all my small things. Here’s a pro shopping tip – they have these at Kroger stores that have a home section. When they have their 2 for 1 kitchen utensil sales, you can buy these for a $1 a piece!
Creative & Colorful Organizers
I am all about using color to help organize my stuff. I don’t have a true desk, so I use these Drawer Organizers in my kitchen’s utensil drawer and in my bathroom drawers. I like a little pop of color and it helps to get my creative juices flowing.
Make it Your Own
This is my living room with work space. I had the bookcase right side up, but it leaned to the left which just kept making me more and more batty. I turned it on its side and used it more like a dresser. I took down my craft beer mantle and spent $20 on the birch decals at Target to really make the space my own. I wanted it to be a creative, yet a modern space. I call this an IKEA Bookcase, but we don’t have IKEA in Alaska. I picked it up at Fred Meyer during a sale for $35 and each drawer was $4. Every time I walk in here in the morning, I let out a little sigh… I love this space I created SO much!
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