Want to finally build a home office that makes you more productive?
We’ve all been there. So many people go straight into DIY desk setups that just don’t work.
Their home offices become cluttered, messy failures.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
You can create a perfectly organized workspace that helps you thrive. Here’s how to build your dream desk setup and keep it that way.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
What you’ll learn:
- Why home office organization is important
- Desk setup essentials
- Storage solutions for your office
- Getting professional help
Why Home Office Organization Is Important
The state of your workspace matters. It impacts your productivity on a daily basis.
Did you know that 41% of workers believe that having a tidy workplace makes them more productive?
With over 1 in 4 paid workdays occurring remotely these days, your home office setup is more important than ever.
Messy desks lead to cluttered minds. When your desk is covered with junk, your brain has to subconsciously process each of those items.
It doesn’t matter if you look at that stuff constantly or not. Your mind still notices and reacts to your environment.
That mental load decreases your concentration levels and makes you more stressed.
When done correctly though, setting up your home office can help you limit distractions and stay focused.
If you’re moving into a new place or need to set up a desk from scratch, you may require property maintenance handyman services to help you get the job done. Finding a qualified handyman that can hang shelves and desks and move things around for you is an important first step.
Imagine your home office is your income generating machine. You wouldn’t build a messy, inefficient machine would you? Don’t let your workspace go unchecked.
The Perfect Desk Setup Breakdown
Here are some desk setups that work, straight from the pros.
Choose The Right Sized Desk
Counterintuitively, more space isn’t always better.
While you want to give yourself enough room to work, oversized desks become clutter magnets.
When choosing a desk, measure out how much space you’ll actually use.
- If you’re a single monitor user, around 120cm desk width should suffice
- If you use dual monitors, you’ll want around 150cm+ to account for more breathing room
- For standing desk conversions, make sure your desk can physically support the weight of your equipment
Adjustable standing desks have grown massively popular in the last few years. They allow you to sit or stand at will during the workday. Many users report less back pain and more energy.
Monitor Placement Matters
Yep, your screen isn’t supposed to sit RIGHT in front of you.
Instead, position your monitor around an arm’s length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level.
Bad monitor placement causes neck pain, headaches, and eye strain. These may not sound like big deals but trust us. After months of looking at a screen incorrectly you’ll want to change.
Keep Only What You Need On Your Desk
This is probably the number one downfall of home workers.
They allow their desks to become dumping grounds for just about everything.
Keep only what you need on your desk surface. If you’re not currently using it, find it a home in storage or toss it.
Small changes to your desk setup can have a big impact on your productivity.
Storage Solutions That Actually Work
Implementing solid storage solutions is half the battle of a functional workspace.
Without proper storage, you will inevitably fall back into old habits and become cluttered once again.
Maximize Vertical Storage
Most people don’t use their vertical space at all.
Installing floor to ceiling shelving, tall curtain racks, and wall mounts instantly triples your available storage.
You can store reference materials above your desk, hang Pegboards for quick grab tools, and mount filing folders for active projects on your wall.
Don’t forget magnetic strips for those random screws and nails either.
Use Drawer Organizers
If you have desk drawers, use them wisely.
Drawer organizers are your friend. Buy or make insert trays and containers that allow you to store each item in its proper place.
The goal with any storage solution is to give every single one of your belongings a home. When everything has its place, putting things away is no longer a decision you have to make.
Hide Your Storage When You Can
Not every storage solution needs to be on display.
Storage ottomans, desks with pedestals, and cabinets help you clear clutter from your direct line of sight.
Pro tip: Use clear storage bins for things you access frequently. Opaque storage is for archived files and materials you don’t need regularly.
Getting Professional Help
Some assembly is required for the majority of home office improvements.
If you’re mounting heavy shelving, running cables through the wall, or building from scratch you may want to look into professional installation.
It’s incredibly important if you’re renting or don’t want to do the job yourself. Not every handyman can do everything.
Heavy shelves and wall mounts need to be secured properly to hold your printables and storage. Nobody wants their closet of supplies to come crashing down on them.
Custom storage can fit your weird empty spaces that pre-made furniture can’t.
Understairs cabinets, alcoves, and odd angles can be exploited with a custom shelving solution.
Making Your Desk Setups And Storage Solutions Work Together
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to home office organization.
However, by combining some of the desk setup and storage tips mentioned above you can dramatically improve your space.
Start by removing everything from your workspace.
Sort through your belongings and categorize them as either:
- Need to have on me daily
- Reference material
- Archive
- Trash
Once you know what you’re working with, put your desk and storage solutions back together. Place the items you use daily closest to you. Reference materials can be stored behind or underneath.
Try to keep your immediate workspace as clear as possible. Less on your desk means less mental clutter.
Once a week, schedule a cleaning where you put everything back in its rightful place. Spending just 10 minutes resetting your space can prevent clutter.
Conclusion
Your home office isn’t a one-time build. It’s a continuous process of tweaking and improving your space to suit your needs.
The basics of a productive workspace are simple: desk setup, smart storage, and weekly maintenance.
Remember:
- Only keep what you need on your desk
- Invest in vertical storage options
- Everything should have a home
- Put things back where you found them
Start with one area of your desk or storage. Whether that be clearing everything off your desk surface or adding one new storage solution.
Small improvements lead to lifelong habits. And those habits will transform your workspace into something you’re proud to show off.