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Small, cluttered workspace got you feeling down?

A woman screaming in a messy home office.

Revamp your workspace so you can be more effective and organized!

Millions of people worked from home during the pandemic. Many had to get creative with a small workspace — the corner of your kitchen, the left side of your couch, your patio, your kid's room.

A dog on a couch using a laptop.

Maximizing a small space can be challenging, but with some strategic planning and organization, you can make the most of any space!

Did you know?

Between 2019 and 2021, the number of people primarily working from home in the US tripled from almost 6% (roughly 9 million people) to almost 18% (roughly 28 million people).

1. Prioritize & Declutter

It's time to throw away all unnecessary items. Throw out that keyboard from 1995, the old cell phones that don't work, and, yes, even all the junk mail you didn't plan on reading in the first place.

A woman looking at piles of garbage bags in a basement. She pulls back her hair in stress.

Flaticon IconKeep

Anything essential!

  • Desk

  • Chair

  • Organizers

  • Important office supplies

Flaticon IconGarbage

Everything else!

  • Old cell phones

  • Old mail/letters/newspapers

  • Old bills or receipts

  • Extra boxes or containers

Did you know?

Use the "20/20 Rule" to declutter! If you can replace something for $20 in under 20 minutes, throw it away.

2. Storage & Furniture

Small workspace? The best option: vertical storage.

Start by mounting shelves above your desk area. This allows your desk and floor space to clear up a bit.

Two workers in a small space. One says, 'It's so clean!'

Next, look into multifunctional furniture. Invest in furniture that serves multiple purposes. Look into desks with built-in drawers or tables that have storage.

Another furniture option is buying furniture that can be folded, compacted, or easily put away — for example, a folding desk, or wall-mounted drop-down table.

A wooden bench in a house that pulls out into a bed and small storage units.

3. Go Digital

Paper clutter can be overwhelming. As often as possible, digitize your documents, photos, or notes. This eliminates the need for physical storage on your desk/in your office and opens up more room.

Dan Levy saying, 'I feel so free!'

Investing in note-taking apps and cloud storage can save you time, space, and stress. Some popular ones include:

Quiz

Jenny is trying to turn her small home office into a neat, organized, and useful space. What advice would you give Jenny? Select all that apply:

Take Action

Maximizing a small workspace is all about efficient organization and utilizing space-saving solutions. With careful planning and smart organizational choices, you can create a productive workspace — no matter the size!

Jim Carrey typing quickly on a keyboard.

License:

This Byte has been authored by

AH
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