What do you love about your office? Here’s what I love about mine.
This is the view from my home office desk.
I think the key to being productive is to be comfortable and happy spending time in your office. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a corporate cubicle; a dedicated room at home with a door that closes; or another space you’ve carved out for yourself.
If you love your office, great! Carry on.
If you don’t, though, here are some tips and inspiration for decluttering your office and making it a place where you really enjoy spending time.
If you don't love your office, keep reading for some tips and inspiration! Click To Tweet
A room with a view
The thing I love about my home office is that my corner desk is surrounded by windows, facing my back yard. From that vantage point, I get a wonderful view of the birds and trees; the changing light and weather; and the occasional hot air balloon or roadrunner. I even have a hummingbird feeder (in the summer), and a suet feeder (year-round) next to the window for up-close avian entertainment.
After 15 years of being Organized for Life, my business is changing, but my office isn’t.
Org4life: The First 15 Years <– scroll down to “What’s Next for Org4life?”
If you are not as enamored of your office as I am, try something new:
3 Steps to Falling in Love with Your Home Office
How to Live and Work by Design, not by Default
Here are some ways to maintain a clutter-free office:
Although I only get snow like this at my house once or twice per winter (and it doesn’t last long), it’s a good reminder that Albuquerque is “high desert” (a mile high, like Denver), not “low desert” (like Phoenix).
3 Tips for Clutter-Free Business Networking
10 Easy Steps to a Clutter-Free Office
The Office Clutter Flow Chart (and companion article) – for sale here. Also, get your free Original Clutter Flow Chart by subscribing to Org4life News here.
My office is deceptively clutter-free.
That’s partly because I have a hidden storage closet!
(Shhh….don’t tell anyone!)
Does Your System Need Tweaking Like Mine Did?
My office is also completely open to my kitchen, dining room, and living room.
Is your kitchen counter messier than mine?
This is my kitchen counter on a good day. It’s open to my office, dining room, and living room.
An organized office includes organized containers and files.
Don’t Let Your Containers Overflow!
How to Create Your Own Simple Filing System
Inbox Zero, Really? (How to Declutter Your Email Backlog and Keep it Under Control)
How to Create More S.P.A.C.E. in Your Life
Are Your Bookshelves Full of Friends? Or Strangers and Houseguests?
It’s All About the Labels (not the label makers)
Are You Organized for Tax Time?
Getting Organized Once And For All
And, what’s an office without an office supervisor?
George is demonstrating the IKEA RÅSKOG Utility cart.
Is there something you really love (or hate) about your office?
Are you inspired to make a change?
Please share with us in the comments below!
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Copyright 2020 by Hazel Thornton, Organized for Life.
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I love my view, but I can’t enjoy it when it’s sunny because I have to keep the shade down.
I also love my huge desk – it’s an executive desk I picked up at Amity Goodwill 25 or so years ago that was already old (not antique, just old). It’s big enough to easily hold my laptop, external monitor, photo scanner, and a few smaller essentials, with lots of room to spare. It does take up a lot of space though, and I’ve thought about replacing it with something more compact, but I think I’d miss it.
My corner windows face north and east. So, I do have blinds on the east sun-rising side. But the north side never gets direct sun.
And I, too have considered replacing my metal desk (laminate top) for a wood one. But it fits so well (it’s actually a corner desk) that the feeling passes.
I think your office manager in the Raskog cart is my favorite!! Wish I had one of those:) My desk is mostly used to store things. When I want to sit down to work, I usually take my laptop either to my large kitchen island or to a comfortable chair. I like having a good view from my desk as well. I think it is hard to sit at a desk that faces a wall. Not many people find that appealing and inspiring. Of course, for the majority of office workers, this is reality. So adding visual aids and inspirations can help a lot.
I, too, enjoy moving my laptop around, including to my recliner in the living room, to my kitchen counter for working while standing, or to a coffee shop. But sometimes I really need my large external monitor and my ergonomic office chair! So glad I have a desk as well. For those who care, a desk facing a wall is also bad feng shui.
What a beautiful backyard. I also have my office overlooking my backyard. I love it.
I am one of those girls that has to put everything away at the end of the day so that my desk top is clear. Because of this I have homes for everything.
I love your view. I also look out a window, but from the second floor and into a tree.
I love the view from your office. I also have a view of my backyard from my desk, and a closet for storage. Unlike your office, mine is not open to the rest of the house, I find that closing my office door helps with privacy when taking client calls or conference calls.
Fortunately, for my set-up, and for business purposes, I have no one to interrupt or overhear.
Oh, Hazel, this is a supercalifragilistic post. Ostensibly, it’s about your office, but it’s chock-full of all kinds of office organizing advice. I think you’ve got enough material here for a book, with beloved George and the RÅSKOG for the cover photo.
But you KNOW that having a hidden storage closet and not sharing it with me (and with Paper Mommy) is a no-no. We need a grand tour!
Thanks, Julie! I’ve probably misled you into thinking the closet is hidden behind a bookshelf, or requires a secret incantation to open. Really it’s in plain sight, but most people don’t notice it or think about what might be behind the door. It’s pictured in this blog post Does your system need tweaking like mine did?
I LOVE your view! And clearly, George did too. I love the photo of him basking in the sunlight. How beautiful. You sound very comfortable and happy in your office space. I understand that feeling. It took me a long while to have my space as I wanted. My husband designed a custom office area for me in all my favorite colors and storage space for all of my supplies and files. While I have one window and a skylight, the best view is behind me. So when I need a break, I get up, turn around, and look out the back to the woods. I love watching the landscape change with the seasons.
Oh, Hazel — how lovely to have a view into your world! And with sweet George basking in the sunshine, too. ♥️ With a peaceful setting like yours, it’s no wonder that you can be so prolific and write so many helpful blog posts to inspire both your clients and colleagues. I must say, I’m inspired! I have an office “space” (an antique secretary with a pull out shelf for my computer) but find that I enjoy taking my laptop to my dining room table where I can look out the windows to the palm trees beyond. I will follow your lead and work where I’m happiest: a room with a view!