You have to work in an office. It doesn’t matter if it’s a home office, an Internet-based business, or even just a desk job at the local coffee shop — you still need someplace to put your stuff.
And that means it’s time to clean up, organize and make your space functional as well as stylish. If you don’t want to spend money on new furniture or expensive home improvement projects, there are plenty of affordable ways to spruce up your workspace. Here are five ideas that will get your office looking like the corner of Wall Street you didn’t know existed.
- Keep Your Desk Organized With Shelves
Shelving is a great way to keep your workplace organized. It not only gives you more room for storing things (like files and binders), but it creates a visual barrier between what’s on top of your desk and what’s below. And when you’re working with stacks upon stacks of papers, it’s easy to lose track of where you’ve been and where you’re going.
The person should focus on the desk supplies, the first thing is to keep the shelves organized. If the person will keep it organized then it will give a high amount of their results in the long run it is beneficial.
A simple shelf can help you solve this problem. You’ll find a wide variety of shelving options at your local hardware store. The shelves come in all different sizes, shapes and styles, so you can pick one that fits your needs perfectly. Most people prefer metal shelving over wood because it’s easier to clean and maintain, but plastic and wood shelving also serve their purpose.
You can buy preassembled shelves from many online retailers or if you’re handy, build them yourself. Even if you do decide to go the prefab route, you can usually customize them by adding hooks or brackets to hang items such as files, folders, and other supplies. Once you’ve got your shelves in place, put your desk organizer in front of them.
- Use A Simple File Cabinet to Store Supplies
Cabinets are a great way to add storage to any room, including your office. But they aren’t always practical. For example, most cabinets are made to be seen and admired, not used every day. That means you might not want to use them in your office, especially if you need to access certain supplies often.
In these cases, you should consider using file cabinets instead. They’re typically built to last and designed to hold large amounts of paper documents. So they’re perfect for filing things like contracts, invoices, receipts and other important paperwork. Plus, you can choose from a variety of colors, materials and designs to create a unique look for your office.
One caveat though: if you plan on accessing your supplies often, you should probably invest in a drawer system to keep everything organized and accessible. This way, you won’t have to worry about searching through a cabinet and ending up with something else.
- Put Your Books In Order With An Overhead Bookshelf
There are a lot of different types of bookshelves available, each with its own set of pros and cons. Some people enjoy having a wall full of books, while others prefer to display only a few titles in order to achieve that minimalist look. Either way, you can create the perfect bookcase for your office.
If you’d prefer a traditional look, opt for an overhead bookcase. These models are usually mounted to the ceiling using adjustable arms which allow you to position them wherever you like. They come in different heights and widths, allowing you to create a custom design that suits your personal style.
The downside? You’ll likely have to mount the unit yourself since it’s too heavy for most contractors to handle without damaging the structure. But once you get it installed, you’ll love how much more space you have in your office.
- Install A Built-in Computer Station
If you need a quick fix for a cluttered desk, installing a computer station is a great solution. Instead of keeping a computer tower on your desk, you can install a compact desktop PC or netbook that will let you easily access your data.
Plus, these small units give you more space on your desk than standard PCs. Some even offer an integrated keyboard and mouse, saving you the trouble of moving around to reach those components.
If you think you could benefit from a computer station, you should consider buying one specifically designed for your home office. Many of them include multiple USB ports, extra hard drives, and other features that you might not find on a standard model.
- Hang Up Photos On Fabric Cords
No matter how professional your office looks, there’s no substitute for pictures. Whether you want to decorate your walls with family photos, landscape paintings, or even motivational posters, you need somewhere to hang them.
Hanging artwork isn’t difficult and there are a number of inexpensive solutions out there. One option is a fabric cord. It comes with a hook on either end, making it easy to attach directly to a piece of drywall. Or you can purchase specialty hangers that fit inside picture frames. You can then hang your framed prints on the wall.
If you don’t want to buy anything new, you can also save some money by repurposing old clothes. Just cut off the sleeves or hemline and run a needle through both sides of the material. Then, thread a wire through the holes and attach it to the back side of a frame.
Now you have a hanging device that’s both decorative and functional. And you can use it to display photos of friends and family, favorite sports team, or even the kids’ art project.
