Do's and Don'ts of Design...Organization

DO Utilize a closet for office storage.
Build shelving (or purchase ready-made pieces from an organization store) to accommodate your bulky office equipment such as printers, fax machines, etc. This will free up much needed work space on your desk.

DON’T Neglect your Kitchen Pantry.
Inventory the entire contents and categorize them (boxes, paper goods, pasta, etc.). Throw away anything old, give away anything your family won’t use. Purchase plastic containers and place like item in them. Use turn tables for cans and bottles.

DO Tackle the garage.
The garage is always the last place we feel the need to organize. Large plastic bins will be your best friend – these are much more durable than boxes for items such as holiday décor. Trash or donate anything you haven’t used in some time. Install built-in or modular storage if you can. Remember – make the most of the vertical wall space and overhead space with shelving!

DON’T Forget about the main living area.
These well-used rooms tend to collect the most clutter. Use decorative baskets to store items such as papers, magazines, and remotes so you can keep flat surfaces clean and clear. Purchase furniture that does “double duty” such as using a storage ottoman for your coffee table. If you tend to collect a lot of photo frames, try making a wall collage instead of cluttering-up your tables.

Creating a Home Office you'll love waking up to

In this economy, more and more people are opting to work out of their homes instead of incurring the high cost of rent. The key to a successful working environment are functionality, cleanliness, and organization.

The good news is, creating a beautiful home office you will be proud to show off doesn’t have to break the bank!

The first thing you will need is a good, functional desk. Check out places like Ikea, they have beautiful (and functional) desk units from $140! Check out the Galant series which has tons of flexible options:

Next, make sure you have adequate storage for all office necessities, such as fax machines, paper supplies, pens, pencils, etc. Purchase several different types of storage cabinets, to ensure you’ll be able to keep everything tidy. Filing cabinets are always essential to keep paperwork organized and in its proper place. We really like the multiple options of the Effectiv series from Ikea to keep all those necessities neat and out of sight:
Here are some great tips on "dressing up" your office space:

• Use a minimal amount of accessories to keep the space looking crisp and clean.
• Opt for great artwork on the walls instead of lots of accessory items to clutter up your work surfaces.
• Paint the walls a great color. If you’re afraid of all-over color, paint an accent wall to brighten up the space.
• And last, but not least, make sure you have comfy chairs for you and your guests!

Follow these tips and you will have a beautiful, functional working environment that you will love waking up to every morning!