Millennial Home Office Organization: How to Keep Your Workspace Clutter-Free

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a rise in remote working, and when given the opportunity to do so, many millennials find themselves setting up a home office. However, working from a home office can also come with its own challenges, one of which is keeping the workspace clutter-free. A cluttered workspace not only affects productivity, but it can also lead to feelings of stress and anxiety, impacting you far beyond your workload. In this post, we will explore some tips and tricks for home office organization for millennials, in particular, how to keep your workspace clutter-free.

Declutter

Now, this may seem obvious, but the first step in keeping your workspace clutter-free is to declutter. Realistically this means getting rid of anything that is not essential to your work. This could include old papers, broken office equipment, or items that haven’t been used in a long time. Start by going through your workspace and getting rid of anything that you no longer need or use. A good guide to follow when doing this is the “12-month-rule” which basically means that if you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, you probably won’t need it again. This will help to create a clean slate for your home office and the general organization of your workspace.

Create a system

Next, it’s time to organize. The key to keeping your workspace clutter-free is to have a system in place for organizing your items. One way to do this is to invest in some organizational tools, such as file folders, desk trays, and storage boxes. If you’re aiming for a “paperless office” then you’d be looking to invest in appropriate storage for the items that you will need, such as a cable organizer, or docking station. This will help you keep your items in order and in their designated places. You can also use labels to help you quickly identify where things belong. For example, you can label your file folders, storage boxes, and desk trays to make it easy to find what you’re looking for. Alternatively, you might rely on a colour coding system. Whatever your method, having a system in place to organize your things will make it easier to keep your space clutter-free.

Set a Schedule

Another way to keep your workspace clutter-free is to set up a routine and schedule for cleaning and organizing your space. You may allocate specific time during each working day, or you may have a longer interval in your schedule. This could mean setting aside 15 minutes at the end of each day to put things away and tidy up or dedicating one day a week to decluttering and organizing your home office. By creating a schedule, you can make sure that your workspace stays clutter-free on a regular basis.

Organization Apps

Another tip for home office organization is to use technology to help you stay organized. For many millennials, using technology to support your workspace will feel like second nature, so it only makes sense to consider using apps or tools that can support you working from home. There are a variety of apps and tools available that can help you keep track of your tasks and deadlines, such as Trello, Asana, Monday.com, and Google Calendar. These tools can help you create to-do lists, set reminders, and manage your time more effectively. You can monitor your progress through certain workflow and projects, and these can also be linked to your phone or tablet apps to support your work. Additionally, you can use cloud storage services, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, to store and organize your documents and files if you work for yourself or you don’t have a tool that is already in use for your workplace. This will help you keep your physical workspace clutter-free and also help you access your files from anywhere.

Get Something Visual

In addition to using technology, you can also use physical organizers to help you stay organized and to create a visual for you to refer to beyond your screen or desk. A whiteboard or a corkboard, for example, can be used to keep track of important deadlines, appointments, and tasks. This will help you stay on top of your schedule and keep your workspace clutter-free. You may use a physical kanban board system to visually break down your tasks and workflow.

Get Comfortable

Another important aspect of home office organization for millennials is to make sure that your workspace is comfortable. A comfortable workspace will help you stay focused and motivated. This could mean investing in a comfortable chair or investing in a desk that can be adjusted to your preferred height. Additionally, you can add personal touches to your workspace, such as plants or photos, to create a more inviting and comfortable space, but comfort isn’t limited to the physical things in your workspace. You may also want to consider the configuration of your space, and the access that you have to fresh air and natural lighting. These things can all affect how comfortable your workspace feels throughout the day, and your level of comfort will impact how likely you are to gather clutter. If you are comfortable with the way your space is set up, you are more likely to stay on top of the clutter in that space.

Revisit Often

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that home office organization is an ongoing process. It’s important to regularly declutter, organize, and tidy up your workspace to make sure that it stays clutter-free. Additionally, it’s important to be flexible and willing to make changes as needed. For example, if you find that a certain organizational method isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to try something new. You may also find that you need to rearrange your space or routine as you adjust to your work-from-home routine.

In conclusion, working from a home office can come with the challenge of keeping your space clutter-free, and inductive to productivity. By decluttering, organizing, setting up a schedule, using technology and physical organizers, making sure that your workspace is comfortable, and being willing to make changes as needed, millennials can keep their home office clutter-free and achieve a more productive and organized workspace. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create a home office that is both functional and comfortable, making it the perfect place to work, focus, and achieve your goals.