Desk Distaster? 5 easy fixes to get it organized

Now that the kids are back to school it might be time to get yourself back on track and organize that desk.  We get so busy and things can really pile up but it feels great to get organized and studies show it helps to minimize stress.

Getting that office or work area organized can feel like climbing Everest but don't fear, you don't have to tackle it all in one day.  Follow these easy steps, one at a time and you'll be organized in no time!

1 Start with the desk itself
The first place you should start is the desk itself. If you’re just using your desk to pay bills or shop online, a small, attractive desk is fine, but if you do any kind of work at it, you need room to maneuver, you need at least one drawer and ideally two (one shallow one for desk accessories, and a deeper one for files), and you need an efficient paper handling and filing system.



2 Keep the surface of your desk uncluttered
Aim as much as possible to keep the surface of your desk uncluttered and clear; there’s a positive psychological aspect to this, as well as maximizing the amount of working space you have at your disposal.
Think of your desk as the cockpit of an airplane. You want everything you use frequently to be close at hand but not in the way, and a layout that’s well organized, easy to understand and efficient





 3 Desktop accessories: Do or don’t?
If you love attractive desktop accessories, by all means use them, but make sure they are out of the way of the “hot zone” (the live, working area) of your desk, or consider storing paperclips, Post-its and so on inside a desk drawer instead. . Plastic cutlery trays, baskets or cardboard boxes attached together to fit tightly into the drawer will work as well. Think about how you work and what you work on at home and take it from there.  Personally I like a cup for my pencils, a desk top calendar, a light and that's about it.  My husband on the other hand like a file folder to vertically hold the files he is currently working on, along with some mini bins for clips, white board markers, pens etc...But don't forget to use the vertical space too - installing open shelves is a great way to keep items close by without cluttering up the desk surface


 


 4 Create systems
The principle to keeping your home office desk organized, efficient and attractive is to create systems that allow you to find what you need quickly, perform the task efficiently, and return everything to its proper place easily when you’re done. The daily mail is a perfect example. Make sure you only open it right next to the shredder, recycling bin and wastebasket, and immediately process each piece you’re keeping: bills in a bills folder (or paid online and then filed), magazines in a magazine folder, appointment reminders marked in a desk diary and then recycled, etc.Think about colour coding with files this is great especially if you are sharing a home office.  So his work files could be green and hers in yellow, Household bills and receipts in red and maybe kids' stuff, insurance/will info etc in blue. Having a system is the key to staying organized just be sure to follow it and keep it simple or you won't stick with it!




 5 Managing paperwork
There are entire books and articles on how to efficiently organize the mountain of paper that comes through our lives every day, but as far as your desktop is concerned, there are two principles that should govern how you use and store it: a) how quickly you need to retrieve it, and b) how to store it without adding to the general clutter.
For your most important files, like projects you are currently working on, I like staggered vertical desktop file holders that allow you to see all of their subject labels at a glance.
Another alternative is to make use of the wall space around the desk; you can buy clear plastic file pockets that mount on the walls, getting paperwork off your desk but still keeping it within reach. Papers you’re not working with any more but need to keep can be stored in the desk file drawer, in closed file boxes, or in a “morgue file” cabinet out of the way.

At the end of the day (or the end of each work session), take a few minutes to process, discard or put away everything left out on the desk. It’s tempting to place papers into neat piles that you’ll definitely go through in more detail tomorrow – but, believe us, within a day or two they’ll become part of the “landscape,” so to speak, and sooner than you think, you’ll be surrounded by teetering paper stalagmites.
What you want to do is to stop the clutter before it starts, and find a simple system that you can stick with!

Get your Home Back to School Ready

If you have children, then fall is extra busy -- not only do you have to get yourself organized and your home prepared for the oncoming cold, but you also have to get ready for back-to-school. Here are some of the  best (and simplest) home organizing tips to help get you and your family ready for school.

• Set up a station in the entryway or mud room to store the children's backpacks. This will minimize back-to-school stress, especially in the morning.

 

• Create a study area for your kids. This can be done in a communal room or in their bedrooms and helps keep books, homework and stationery all in one place. Look at shelving ideas and baskets for easy access and clean up.  Think about a homework area in a room near where you can keep an eye on them, like the kitchen nook or the family room

 

• Make sure you start tomorrow on the right foot by organizing backpacks, making lunches and updating the family calender the evening before.

 

• Minimize the morning routine by picking outfits the day before. If you're really proactive, use a clothing organizer to lay out a week's worth of outfits.

 

Back to Work!

With back to school just around the corner parents everywhere are cheering and jumping for joy!  But wait...mom and dad, what about your workspace? Could it use some sprucing up?  You are spending so much time focusing on the kids and making sure they are set up for success but what about you?
Here are some tips to upgrade and improve your workspace.

1.  Start with a de-clutter.  get rid of the junk, the scrapes of paper, the pens that don't work and just the garbage that ends up lying around.

2.  Figure out what is missing.  Do you need magazine portfolios? Do you need a whiteboard/pin board?  Are you low on supplies? Make a list and a plan.



3. Lighting.  Is your office well lit?  I like an overhead lit but also a desk lamp and in a larger office space a table or floor lamp.  Remember, it doesn't have to be from an office supply store.  Check out furniture stores for some great stylish options for the office, too.

4.  Surround yourself with what you love. Work isn't necessarily always fun but surround yourself with photos of family, friends or memorabilia to remind yourself why you work so hard.  Also it adds personality to the space and for clients coming to see you at the office they get a better sense of who you are.



5.  Add some style with art, rugs and some decor pieces - again to create a beautiful space that inspires!

6.  Keep it interesting.  Yes, you need pens, tape, stick pads etc...but why not add some colour to the space with those everyday items you need.

7.  Keep it organized.  Clutter adds stress to our lives so get organized.  Have a place for everything - pens, pencils, paperclips and more...Have file folders and holders...they are so many options, clutter shouldn't be!

 

8.  Have healthy snack options at the desk like apples, trail mix or just plain nuts - even microwave popcorn is a nice treat that has health benefits too.  Have some selections of tea for chilly days....

9.  A colourful pashmina over the back of the chair adds colour and texture and it just perfect for those days when they is a little chill in the office.

10.  Have one-on-one meetings in your office or guests popping by often?  Have a fun and visually interesting yet cozy guest chair instead of something plain, boring and corporate!  It doesn't have to be expensive to have a stylish chair

 

Best in Desks

Alright so the kids went back to school last week and if you are a little behind in setting up a workspace for them - no worries, it's always better late than never.

Last winter, my big project was to organize my husband's home office.  Our 3rd baby was on the way and he knew he would be working more from home, so I thought an organized home office for him would be perfect!  I de-cluttered, organized, labeled and set up a great workspace.  I started with a basic desk and filing cabinet.  I added a large bookcase to store his books, and office supplies but also to add some decor.  I put a colourful rug on the floor, hung some simple drapes, hung some family photos and added some great lighting and voila a beautiful workspace with style.

My kids aren't quite school age yet but as a former teacher I know how important a proper workspace is and here are my top picks :

IKEA is a great spot to start for desks and other office basics.

The Expedit desk./bookcase combo is easy to assemble, very affordable and works across all ages.  It has lots of storage, it also has lots of surface space too.  It comes in birch, white and black/brown.

The Malm desk is another great basic desk.  Lots of surface space and storage too for files and drawers for other basics.  Comes in white, birch and black/brown and again really reasonably priced.

Crate and Barrel has lots of options too but they are better if you are looking at investing in pieces and really creating a beautiful home office.  Not to say that the pieces aren't functional - they are but the look and price point involve a higher price point and aren't really targeting a child audience.

The Brey is a beautiful ebony stained desk with a extra wide tray for the keyboard, it also has separate compartments for various home office basics like pens, sticky notes etc...

The TLD desk from Crate and Barrel is another great option especially for teens, university students or adults.  The second level of the desk is great for storage items giving lots of surface work space.  Reasonably priced and a timeless natural wood finish.  Great for small spaces too

Other great office add-ons:

white board

filing cabinets

chalkboard

letter or file holders

takboards

office storage boxes

office chair

guest chair

Back to School Style

Ok, so it's already August and I know that parents and kids are already getting ready for back to school, some are more excited than others, too.  When it comes to back to school we all think of clothing and learning materials but what about getting our workspaces ready for back to school?

There is so much to balance and to take care of once the kids are back at school.  Homework, field trip forms, fundraising, activities etc...don't let it bog you down - get ready for it and soon!

a--Start with where you want your child doing their homework - kitchen nook, bedroom, it doesn't matter but keep the area consistent and create a space for them to work and stay organized.  Keep in mind that younger children will need more hlp and supervision, so think about that when selecting a workspace location

b-- Get the kids involved.  If they are not buying into the idea (or not understanding) it's not going to work.  Explain the importance, take them shopping with you (and let them pick some items out themselves).  Organization is an important tool in all areas and all stages in life- so let them get involved from the beginning.  This is super important with teenagers - give them some responsibility otherwise they will fight you on it because it feels forced on them.

c--Have easy access to supplies and have them organized.  A jar or box for pencil crayons, a flat surface for a laptop or just where to work, hunting around for supplies or having to clear a workspace can just add to the stress of homework.

d-- Make sure the area is well lit.  It helps to stay focused plus it is much better for the eyes.

e--Keep it clutter-free.  Keep everything in it's place - bulletin board, containers, shelves etc...and have a bit of time every month or every two weeks to clear the space - extra papers can pile up very easily and add stress to your child's workspace

f-- Visual Aids.  a large wall mounted or desk top calendar is a great visual tool to stay organized.  Write appointments and activities on the calendar.  You can even have a family calendar and colour code each person in the family (mom-red, dad-blue, etc..) Write in the activities in the correponding colour.

g--Be somewhat flexible.  Some days your child may want to read their assigned reading in a more cozy chair or work on their big science project at the kitchen table - that's ok - regular homework should be done in the regular spot.

h-- TV off.  while your child is working at home, have the TV off.  A bit of music can be ok if the volume is low and it is something like ambient or classical - not too distracting.

i-- Have a scheduled time for homework.  We have such busy lives and sometimes homework just doesn't fit.  It is best to do it right after school, but if you can't find a time that works for you and your family.  After dinner or while dinner is being prepped just try not to do it too close to bedtime

j--Keep it fun!  This is a child's workspace so let it be fun and whimsical. 

What about the other areas of the home??  The front entry or the mudroom can also be a huge organization nightmare.  Sometime having a place for everything does the trick but don't forget to teach/train your family in how to use these pieces.  Installing hooks at the child's eye level is a great way to ensure they can put their backpacks away.  A basket is a great spot for children to put their shoes (indoor or clean shoes).  If you have the space, a cloth envelope, or labeled basket for children's field trip forms, fund raising info etc is a great idea - all too often they get left at the bottom of the backpack.  But no matter what strategies you pick for your family - get a plan before they head back to school and practice (yes, this sounds silly) but in order for a routine to take hold it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months to really set in, so don't get too frustrated and try not to lose your cool.  Keep at it, keep consistent and it will work.

Living and Learning in Style!

Well it is almost that time of year again and the countdown is one for parents across the globe. BACK TO SCHOOL!! Now is the perfect time to set up a space dedicated to homework and projects for your children. The kitchen table (or even the living room sofa) often end up being the go-to spots for homework completion but high activity areas are distracting and too busy to focus. Experts say that a dedicated space for homework is best for learning.

A child's workspace should be as simple and organized as possible but it also has to be appealing to that the child will want to spend time in there working. A great tip is to get your child involved in the design. Have them look at pictures in magazines and have them show you what they like and why. Look at functionality over style but add some unique touches to the space. some great ways to add style - frame your child's art, frame educational or inspiring posters, paint a chalkboard space on the wall, or have your child paint their own mural on a wall. Keep the organization simple with boxes or baskets - easy to access and put away. Make sure the furniture is of an appropriate size for your child and that the room is well lit.

You do not need a large space just one that is well planned out. If space is limited, get creative - place the desk under the top bunk. think vertical by placing shelves or even a hutch above the desk. Be sure to anchor everything to the wall so it is a safe space too.