5 Easy Ways to Organize Your Home Office

When it comes to organizing your home office (because I think by now we’ve all spent more time in them than we could have ever imagined), you want to make sure that you have a few systems in place.

Whether your office is small or simply feeling a bit untidy with paper clutter accumulating, you can tackle the challenge with these five simple ways to organize your home office.

1. Declutter and prioritize. The first step in organizing your home office is to declutter and prioritize your workspace. Begin by removing any unnecessary items such as old paperwork, outdated electronics, or office supplies that you no longer use. Once you have decluttered your space, prioritize your essential items by placing them within easy reach.

2. Utilize vertical space. Make the most of your home office by using vertical space. Invest in wall-mounted shelves, file organizers, and bookcases to help keep your workspace organized and maximize storage space. Utilizing vertical space is especially useful if you have a small home office. Additionally, using a useful paper organization system like this one can make all the difference with the paper clutter dilemma that so many of us find ourselves dealing with.

3. Invest in storage solutions. Investing in storage solutions is essential to keep your home office organized. Consider purchasing storage bins, filing cabinets, and desk organizers to help keep your workspace tidy. Labeling your storage solutions can also help you locate items quickly and efficiently.

4. Create a daily task list. Creating a daily task list is a useful way to help you stay focused and organized. Write down your daily tasks, deadlines, and appointments on a planner or digital calendar. This will help you prioritize your workload and ensure that you don't miss any important deadlines.

5. Keep it clean. Finally, keeping your home office clean is crucial for productivity and overall well-being. Regularly dust your workspace, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum or sweep the floors. A clean workspace can help reduce stress and promote a positive work environment.

If you aren’t feeling motivated just yet, remember that an organized workspace can help boost productivity and improve overall well-being.

By simply decluttering and prioritizing your workspace, utilizing vertical space, investing in storage solutions, creating a daily task list, and keeping your workspace clean, you can create a productive and efficient home office. With these tips, you can work from home with ease and enjoy a clutter-free workspace!

Are you looking for a little (or a lot) of help with your own home organization? Click here and schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult and chat with Britnee about your home organization goals.

3 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Tidy Up and Organize

I get asked a lot of the same questions when people find out I’m a professional home organizer.

Some of the more common questions I get are:

“How do I teach my kids to tidy up?”

“How do I manage toy clutter?”

While I could go on and on about ways to declutter toys, I’ll instead focus this post on ways to teach your kids to organize and tidy up around the house. These are things I do with my own kids and what I share with clients.

First - show them.

You can’t expect your little ones to instinctively know how or when to organize their toys. Be sure to show them by doing and be consistent. Consistency helps create lifelong healthy habits.

Remember that by showing your child where their items go - you are literally teaching them. Designate certain containers for their personal items. Show them where their clothing should live. Show them where the cars and the blocks and the bikes go when they’re done with playtime.

Second - patiently remind them.

Just because you told them and showed them where their things go, doesn’t mean your child will magically be amazing at tidying up. Kids have distractions and their own agendas and their own free will! It takes constant, patient reminders and for many parents this can mean reward systems or other systems to help kids make and keep good habits. Organization and tidying up are no different. Be patient and you’ll be amazed at the results over time.

Third - be clear.

Be sure you have designated zones for your child’s items. If you say, put your clothes over there - what does “over there” actually mean? Instead, put your dirty clothes in the hamper in the corner. Or please put your cars in the car bin in the closet. I don’t know about you but I appreciate when adults give me clear direction - same is helpful for little ones when it comes to home organization and tidying up.

What tips or suggestions have you used with your own kids? Do you use any of these tips already? Let me know in the comments!

Design Series Feature: Sarah Gibson from Room for Tuesday

So much of how a home feels is directly correlated to how it is designed and styled.

Because as it turns out, good design matters.

Like a lot.

I have always had an appreciation for beautiful interior design and as a home organizer I’m a firm believer that thoughtful interiors matter. Interior design sets a tone and a mood for the day-to-day of all those who are surrounded by it. It’s powerful and beautiful.

This month I am so excited to get to share my interview with Sarah Gibson - the creative director, designer and founder behind Room for Tuesday and owner of the shop, Tuesday Made.

When I first saw Sarah’s work, I had to stop and stare. Her eye for detail and her thoughtful approach to the various elements that make a house a home are just a few of the things that have made her projects so memorable for me.

What I love about Sarah’s approach to designing and styling is that her designs are timeless and oh so sophisticated. It’s the kind of sophistication that makes you want to sit in one of her spaces and soak in all the details that she has so intentionally placed.

Photo credit: Sarah Gibson from Room for Tuesday

Q: You're no stranger to home renovations - how do you approach your new projects? Do you set mood boards? Or do you follow your innate interior design mind and go for it?

A: While I no longer design for clients, I treat our projects at home much like I would a client project. I love planning, getting organized, and completing the entire design before demolition even begins. That includes floor planning, elevations, moodboards, selecting finishes, gathering samples, and ordering the bulk of the items that will exist in a space. I like having a set plan! The design and styling portions of the process are always my favorite- so the beginning and the end. It's fun to watch something you envisioned in your mind come to fruition and become reality.

Q: How would you describe your style and do you think it has evolved over time?

A: I believe our personal aesthetic and style is ever-changing and evolving as we grow. I'd like to think it's shaped by our experiences and as we age, we become more capable of determining what feels and looks like us. My personal style has definitely changed over the years. I started my blog at such a young age - it has really proved to be great documentation of my growth and evolution, in regards to aesthetics. I also believe the style or architecture of your home comes into play when it comes to design... I always take that into consideration, because not only do I want my home to reflect my personal aesthetic, but I also want it to feel cohesive to the architecture of the house itself. It's so tricky to nail down a specific style because I enjoy curating and blending multiple aesthetics and design styles. I love classic and traditional design, as well as curating vintage and more eclectic or modern pieces. It's always a mixed bag in my house, but I always try to keep timeless design in mind... if I bring something into my home, I want to make sure I'll still love it in a year, five years or even ten years.

Photo credit: Sarah Gibson from Room for Tuesday

Q: How do you feel about the relationship between home organization and home design?

A: I think organization and home design is very correlated. I always consider function and organization when designing rooms or renovations. It's especially important in small or high-functioning spaces! When designing our kitchen, I thought about how each cabinet would be used, what the interior of that cabinet would look like, how it would be organized, and designed accordingly. Having a clean and organized home is important to me - it enhances my happiness and productivity, so it's something I always consider when designing a space. I try to use every square foot in a smart and thoughtful way.

Q: What do you love about Salt Lake? Any favorite places that inspire you?

A: I'm a Salt Lake City transplant (I've lived here 6 years now), and the beautiful mountains are what brought my husband, Emmett, and myself to Utah. We love adventure and the outdoors, and this is the perfect place for that. On weekends, you can find us skiing, camping, paddling, on a trail, etc. The mountains are always a creative and inspiring escape for me. We feel very lucky to live close to so many beautiful spots, trailheads, and incredible (and varied) landscapes.

Photo credit: Sarah Gibson from Room for Tuesday

Q: What is your advice to someone looking to update their existing home? Where should they start?

A: I always start with a list... I jot down wants, needs, the budget, and try to figure out how to accomplish those things. It's always easiest to set parameters first (the budget, the amount of space you have to work with, etc), then think creatively about how to achieve a beautiful and functional space, when it comes to design. Whether that path includes getting quotes and hiring contractors or taking the DIY route, it's always best to have a solid plan before the project even begins. That's especially important now that lead-times have been extended thanks to supply chain issues and backorders!

If you’ve ever needed major interior design inspiration then be sure to check out Room for Tuesday and Sarah’s shop, Tuesday Made.

Thanks again Sarah for all of your tips and insight into how you make a house a home. So looking forward to your upcoming projects!

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Are you looking for a little (or a lot) of help with your own home organization? Click here and schedule a complimentary 15-minute consult and chat with me about your home organization goals or follow me on Instagram here for daily organization and minimalist-living tips.

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