How to Declutter Your Workspace: 8 Easy Tips for Employees

December 29th, 2022 | Best Office Furniture

Are you feeling overwhelmed in the workplace? Lost track of where your desk items belong and having trouble keeping up with meetings and plans, and feeling stressed and bored? If so, take a step back and reexamine your cube. Maybe it’s a sign to do some decluttering and regain your productivity.

Decluttering your workstation is a great way to establish some organization in your life. Taking the time to clean up your area and make sure everything is in its place can help you focus and be productive. With just a few simple changes to your workspace, you could be on your way to boosting productivity and becoming a better employee.

We’ve listed some helpful tips to declutter your workspace below and make sure that everything is in its place.

 

How to Declutter Your Workspace?

Decluttering doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Here are the 8 easy tips for employees to help you get started:

 

Identify Your Necessities

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about how to organize your workspace, you are not alone. To get started on decluttering and creating an orderly office or cubicle, start by pinpointing the essentials that must remain within arm’s reach. Dispose of what isn’t needed into a garbage bag or drawer. This simple step will help keep things organized and allow for better concentration on current tasks.

 

Create Zones for Different Tasks on Your Desk

By assigning distinct zones of your desk to specific tasks and projects, you can effectively organize and prioritize your work for maximum productivity. To help you transition your work process and manage shifting mindsets accordingly, consider setting up zones on your desk. Here’s how:

• A zone for research:  this area of your desk should house all materials needed for research and analysis, such as calendars, notebooks, folders, sticky notes, etc.
• A zone to create: this area is dedicated to tasks that require creative thinking and brainstorming. Here you can store pens/pencils, art supplies, paper clips, post-it notes and other items needed for creating.
• An area to plan: this part of the desk should be dedicated to making plans and organizing tasks, such as a planner, calendar, stack of paper, notebooks, etc.
• A zone for communication: this section is devoted to staying connected with colleagues or clients. It may include your laptop or tablet and all the necessary cables, a landline phone, and other items needed to maintain communication.

Rearrange your office furniture to create a more open and inviting space. This could mean moving desks, chairs, or filing cabinets around so you can have ample access to what you need without dealing with clutter. Make sure the layout allows for an easy flow of movement.

 

Get Away for Lunch

It’s great that you pack your lunch for work to cut back on expenses when dining out or ordering takeaways. However, you don’t need to work through your lunch. It’s important to take a break from your desk, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Remember that getting away for lunch can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day.

Go to the kitchen or breakroom to eat. Go anywhere to eat your lunch but your desk. Not only will you take a break from your desk, but you’ll also reset and return to work feeling reenergized.

According to research, taking a break from your desk invigorates and stimulates the mind, allowing you to return feeling sharp and creative. Make sure each day begins with planning so everyone can step away for 20 minutes at lunchtime. This gives them an opportunity to clear their minds by eating in a different environment aside from their workspace, as well as freeing them of any food-related messes! Recharging during this break will ready all for the busy afternoon ahead.

 

Think Twice About Printing

Try to avoid printing unless absolutely necessary. After all, the majority of desk clutter is usually caused by an overflowing pile of paper—and sorting through it can be a real hassle! So, save yourself some effort and cut down on your paperwork wherever possible.

If you have mountains of paper cluttering your desk, then it’s time to take action and get organized. Assess whether any of the documents in sight are relevant or required. However, heedlessly tossing them into the bin isn’t a viable option as something essential could unintentionally go with it. So, organize written materials into categories and file them in an organized manner.

 

Follow the Three-Day Rule

To keep your workspace tidy and organized, it’s important to establish a daily routine. Once papers have been sorted, make sure they are put away within three days in order to avoid clutter buildup on your desk.

Make the most of your productivity with this three-day rule. For any hard copy that requires approval or will be referenced in the future, ensure it is forwarded to a colleague or filed away expeditiously within three days.

Are multiple projects looming over your head? With a three-day cycle, you’ll recognize which ones to prioritize first and take satisfaction in the feeling of accomplishment when all is complete. Clear off that desk!

 

Work in the Cloud

Nowadays, paper is no longer necessary to deal with work. Take advantage of digital platforms and tools that enable you to save files in the cloud and collaborate remotely—all while using free services! Even better, most offices provide these features along with additional storage space at no cost; reach out to your team’s office manager for more details on what options are available.

Some of the most reliable cloud storage services include Google Drive, Dropbox,  and iCloud. With these services, you’ll have access to your documents from anywhere at any time. Collaborating with colleagues on shared documents has never been easier as all changes are saved in real-time and accessible from a single source. And you’ll free yourself from piles of paper that can easily clutter your workspace.

 

Organizing Your Digital Files

That’s right, even your cloud storage and computer can get cluttered as well. For many employees, their office computers display a disorganized desktop littered with files and folders randomly scattered all over the home screen.

Instead, create a folder for each project or team you work on and organize them accordingly. Or, if you prefer, consider using folders and subfolders to store digital documents. This way, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that all your files are organized in one place—no more searching through mountains of digital clutter for that important document!

 

Embrace Minimalism

Embrace minimalism in your everyday life. Ask yourself if all the items on your desk, paper copies you need, or personal possessions necessary for work are truly necessary.

Always remind yourself: less is more. As we’ve mentioned above, toss out any papers that aren’t required and eliminate any unnecessary desk items. This will clear up some much-needed breathing room for your mind and workspace.

Look into work desks that have built-in storage for books and magazines, as well as drawers for keeping files, folders, and other office supplies. This way, you’ll have everything in its place so that your desk is always neat and organized.

Our Performance L-shape Workstation has an upper hutch, and a personal wardrobe/storage cabinet can help you organize all your office files and supplies. It also comes with a coat hanger to help you hang up your jackets, hats, and more.

On the other hand, our Deskmakers Ribbon Series is the perfect choice for those who want a more minimalistic look. Its console design allows you to store items out of sight while leaving the desktop clear.

 

Final Thoughts

Remember that an organized workspace, both digital and physical, is a key indicator of productivity and efficiency. Establishing this routine now will save you from future headaches and put you on the path to success with your work projects.