Do you need to maximize your home office storage space?
As you may know, your home office storage area can quickly become encumbered by paper, receipts, books, mail, and office supplies.
I have maintained a home office in my oneish bedroom apartment and now I have a full office in my recently purchased home. While working full-time and in grad school, I have learned that keeping your home office clutter-free comes down to three things.
When I was in grad school and while working full-time I lived in a oneish bedroom apartment in New York City. I needed a work space so I went on a journey to create a home office. With piles of mail that my mother would send from my previous home to the school work and work, work that I brought home, my office space easily became cluttered. I figured out some ways to help me declutter my office and keep it decluttered so that I could always use the space. When I moved into my loft and started to create my home office, I noticed that the space quickly became a storage space and lost its purpose so, I had to find a way to conceal the items that needed storing as I had moved some 30 years of stuff into my condo. Now that I have had two home offices in different spaces I realized the three things that helped to maintain a clutter-free home office.
In order to maintain a clutter-free home office you need to simplify, tidy regularly, and maintain a home office storage system.
If you want to keep your office aesthetic and clutter-free then look for storage ideas that are multi-functional and stylish. Check out the home office storage products I have listed to determine what works best for your needs.
Disclaimer
As an Amazon affiliate, this blog post may contain affiliate links. If you decide to use a link to purchase a product, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you! All products and services that I suggest are ones that I love and truly recommend!
11 Home Office Storage Essentials
Containers
I use containers in my office to store papers and keepsakes from years prior. There are some items from high school, cards, and notes that I am not ready to compile or ready to part with. The use of containers has helped me to categorize these items by the period or event so that I know what each container has in it. Additionally, I keep my notes and books from my schooling in these containers categorized by class so that I can refer back to them when needed throughout my career. I selected the MSHOMELY storage containers for use because of the price and design. They are stackable, they are foldable, and the translucent hue is perfectly chic. Check them out here if you find them to be a good fit for your home office.
File Cabinet or File Accordion
Having a file cabinet or file accordion to organize incoming mail and other important documents that come across your desks and into your home will save you from piles of papers that sit on your kitchen counter or home office desk.
Depending on the amount of paper you have coming in and out it may be more suitable to have a file cabinet or an accordion. I have a large file cabinet that I use to move files into after they are organized. If you have a family you can use this larger file cabinet to make room for important papers for each member of your household. I often hear mothers sharing how they use folders to organize their family’s paperwork. While I understand the accessibility of this I do caution away from the folder trap, because, folders are not as impenetrable and they can be lost easily. A file cabinet is big and it typically stays in one area, therefore will your papers too. On the other hand, if you have a smaller amount of papers to organize and file, the accordion will work well. Check out the file cabinet I recommend here. This Poppins file cabinet is pricey, but it is fun, sleek, and the perfect size for a home office. I am generally a fan of Poppins-designed items. Here is the file accordion I use. This one is inexpensive, sturdy, and stylish.
Book Cases
I love a good bookcase. Right now, I have 3 easy assemble, four-tier, bookcases I purchased from Amazon. They are exactly what I needed to organize and store the mounds of books I have and plan to continue to collect. Bookshelves aren’t only great for storing books, they hold other items like small, heirlooms, and trinkets you want to display. Bookcases are also a great way to elevate your space to create dimension and levels.
Currently, I have these bookcases from Amazon! They come in 3 neutral colors and are made of mass timber. I love that these bookcases were easy to assemble. I assembled each in 30 minutes and have kept them in great condition for over a year. They are not sturdy enough for constant moving. However, if you are pretty certain about where they will live, they are great find. Otherwise, if you do plan to move around these bookcases you may need to renail the back of the bookcase.
Cabinet
Get a cabinet, trust me. If you don’t have built-in cabinetry, simply having a storage cabinet that matches the decor of your home office will provide you with a great storage option to conceal all your things! Also, cabinets can function as an art piece or accent piece that brings vibrancy to your home office. If you don’t have a storage cabinet it is an absolute must-have.
This storage cabinet is one of my favorites on Amazon. The color and design give a rustic old American farmhouse feel that can translate to many styles nicely.
Cubes
I love cube shelving. I went to my hair stylist’s house to have my hair straightened and I saw how she had used her cube shelving and I had to get it. I use my cub as a TV stand however, I know this will double great as office storage. Just like my bookshelf, I use the cube to store books, albums, keepsakes, and small heirlooms. The cube has additional functionality because you can turn it horizontally or vertically based on the needs of your space. This is a great home office storage option.
This cube shelving system has moved with me to multiple locations. I assembled it myself and it has been sturdy and great for my many uses!
3-Tiered Paper Organizer
The tiered paper organizer is one of the staples in my mail organization and home office organization system. With the tier paper organizer, you can quickly sort your mail or documents into 3 distinct piles: file, shred, and action. The paper that is sorted into the file category should be filed away and kept for future reference. Shred documents contain personal information and should be shredded. Finally, those that land on the action tier are items you need to take action on. This organization system is an easy way to sort your mail before you take any next steps.
Do you know those mesh paper organizers we use at work? Yeah. Get one. Take a look at the Acrimet Facility Mailbox. I prefer white to brighten up my desk area and a less translucent material to keep the aesthetics cohesive.
Trash can
It is inevitable, that you will accumulate trash in your home office. What’s significant about your home office is that the trash composition accumulated in the home office is different from any other trash in your home. This trash will typically be composed of paper and the snacks you take to work. I recommended that you have a trash bin that you frequently collect for the goods that you consume and other random articles that you need to dispose of.
Take a look at these options, as they feature a variety of colors, and can easily be cleaned.
Paper Shredder
It’s safer to shred those documents with your important information instead of just discarding them with all your sensitive information. Shredding your important documents can protect you from identity theft, and condense the clutter of paper piles. I used the Amazon basics shredder for my shredding. I have also purchased this printer for my work office.
A paper shredder is not typically used for storage however, I recommend that you shred your papers as needed with your shredder, and when it is full transfer to a bag or bin in your home purpose for recycling. This is the one I love!
{Related Post: 10 Essentials Every Adult Should Have}
Ottoman
Ottomans have been one of my favorite storage pieces that I have used in my home office. An ottoman is multi-functional and it offers you some space to conceal items that you frequently use but may not have space to store elsewhere. When I living in my apartment I used a pink ottoman to keep extra trash bags for my space and to conceal the utensil cases that I didn’t want to display.
Here’s a much more chic option from Amazon, and it comes in 9 colors to blend well with any decor. What I like most about this ottoman is that it’s compact but can hold up to 250 lbs.
Basket
Grab a basket to put frequently used items in. I used my basket to hold my bookbag and chargers. I have a wicker basket that matches the vibe of my home office and personality when I need to store my charger and other small items I use my basket to conceal them when they are not in use. Keeping my book bag there is a great way to keep track of where my book bag is. Having a designated home for it prevents me from placing it anywhere in my home and having to search for it when it’s time to leave again!
These options are a great addition to any home office.
This post is all about home office storage.
