5 Things to Declutter From Your Home Office

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There’s no place like your home office. But if it’s become such a catchall for stuff that it’s resembling the government warehouse at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, it may amount to more than just an eyesore. It may negatively impact your productivity and mental health.

By getting rid of unnecessary items and creating a more streamlined workspace, you can take steps to reduce stress, increase focus and create a room you actually enjoy.

In this list, we’ll explore five tips for decluttering your home office, including which items to consider getting rid of, the best way to store important paperwork, and how to create a system for staying organized in the long term.

Ready to get down to business? Here are some things you can start clearing out ASAP.

1. Outdated electronics: Old computers, printers and other electronics can take up valuable space. They can also pose a security risk if they contain personal information that could be accessed by others. Instead of storing them, consider properly recycling or donating unused keyboards, monitors and that bundle of unattached cords and cables. Still have old storage discs loaded with photos or important data? There are services that can help you transfer them to a flash drive or cloud storage compatible with more current devices.

2. Excess office supplies: While it’s important to have the necessary office supplies on hand, a surplus of them can quickly clutter up your workspace. If you’ve accumulated a pencil collection that might pique the interest of The Guinness Book of World Records, consider donating them, along with extra pens, paper and other supplies that you don’t use on a regular basis.

3. Unused furniture: Furniture you no longer need can take up serious room in your home office. You don’t want creaky, rickety chairs or a wobbly table that can be distracting when on a call or while trying to get a project done. Selling or donating unused furniture can instantly transform the room and help create a more functional workspace.

4. Old paperwork: It’s important to keep financial statements and other important paperwork, but stockpiling old bills and receipts can quickly lead to clutter. Generally, you should keep tax records and warranties for as long as you own the property or items. Car titles, bank statements and loan documents should be kept in a secure place until no longer needed. But be honest with yourself about paper you just don’t need anymore, with the goal of clearing out as much as possible.

5. Personal items: While it’s nice to have personal items such as family photos or artwork in your home office, too many of them can make it difficult to focus on work. Knickknacks you might display in a larger space can sometimes wind up being distracting when working in a smaller area. Consider limiting items to a few key pieces and finding other places in your home to display the rest.

As a bonus, here are some general decluttering tips.

Store important documents properly: Financial statements and other important paperwork should be stored in a safe and secure location. The general recommendation is to keep financial statements for at least seven years. You may also want to consider digitizing important documents for easier access and storage.

Shred vs. throw away: When decluttering, it can be difficult to determine which items should be shredded and which can be thrown away and you should always make the decision on a case-by-case basis. Generally, any documents that contain personal or sensitive information should be shredded to help protect against identity theft. This includes items like credit card statements, bank statements and tax documents. Other documents, such as old magazines or junk mail, can typically be thrown away.

Create a system for organizing: Having a system for organizing your home office can help you stay on top of clutter in the long term.

Consider creating a filing system for paperwork, using desk organizers for supplies and labeling everything to make it easy to find what you need.
Try the “one in, one out” rule: For every new item you bring into your office, get rid of an old item you no longer need.
Schedule regular decluttering sessions: This can be as simple as spending 10 to 15 minutes at the end of each day tidying up your workspace or setting aside a few hours each month for a more thorough decluttering session.

Most of all, have fun, don’t be afraid to be relentless with decluttering and enjoy your new home office!