Whether it’s a pile of messy bills and coupons, or a heap of receipts and paperwork, clutter can quickly take over your home office. However, with a few organization tips and the right storage options, you can turn your home office into an efficient, functional space. Here’s how.

Sort Through Your Paperwork

Is that paperwork, receipt or coupon really something you need to keep, or can it be thrown out? If you don’t need it, trash it. Once you’ve decided what to keep, sort your paperwork into three piles: Often Used, Sometimes Used or Rarely Used. 

Items that are rarely used, like warranty information or old tax forms, should be packed away in a box and stored out of sight. Be sure to place the items into neatly labeled files before storing them away.

Use a Filing Cabinet

An easily accessible filing cabinet is ideal for storing paperwork you often or sometimes use. Sort your items into folders and consider adding visuals to the file folder labels. For example, color coding or recognizable icons and symbols.

Get Rid of Wire and Cable Jumbles

Nothing’s more visually unpleasant than a jumble of cables, cords and wires. Luckily, there are plenty of inexpensive cord wraps and organizers that can solve the problem. 

Find Smart Storage Solutions

The key to home organization is finding furniture that’s not only stylish, but functional as well. Aside from the obvious desks, bookcases and filing cabinets, consider buying furniture that doubles as something else. For example, a storage cube that doubles as a desk chair, or a lift-top coffee table with ample storage space. 

Though decluttering your home office space can be a chore, you’ll be glad you took the time to get things organized. Put the four tips above into action, and your office will soon be in tip-top shape.