5 Simple Work From Home Organization Tips For The Most Productive Year Ever

Working from home has become the new norm for many of us over the past year, but you’re not alone if you feel like your WFH setup is still a little disorganized, and maybe not as productive as you’d like. While you might have already invested in a new desk and office chair, there are a lot more little things you can do to make your WFH space one that feels organized, welcoming, and inspiring.

To help you out, we took a deep dive into all the WFH organization strategies we could find and came up with the best simple tips that will set you up for the most productive year ever. Best of all, none of these solutions will require a huge investment (and some are even free!). But, they’ll all help get you set up for a productive year ahead. 

Invest in Accessories You Love

This tip should go without saying, but take a look around your workspace and try to name five things that truly spark joy for you. If you’re coming up empty, it’s time to invest in a few WFH accessories that will make your setup a happy working space. This could be something as simple as treating yourself to a cozy new throw, buying a fancy new pen for jotting down meeting notes, or adding an aroma diffuser to your desk to keep things zen throughout the workday. 

Separate Workspace From Personal Space

It can be a challenge if you’re living in a studio apartment where your office is also your sofa. . .  which is also your dining room, and your lap is your pet’s bed, but there are ways to separate your workspace from your personal space no matter how small your apartment is. Floating desks that can be mounted on your wall can create a new workstation that’s separate from the spaces you use to relax once the workday is over. A folding desk is another great idea — it can be your workstation during the day and then be folded up and tucked behind your sofa or under the bed at night. Our Folding bins are another great space-saver and are a versatile solution thanks to the fact that you can just tuck them away when not in use and redecorate your shelves with candles, plants, or other non work-related items. 

Try The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a great lifehack that’s completely free to try and may help structure your workday when coffee breaks and in-person interactions with colleagues aren’t really a thing at home. All you need to do is set a timer (your phone will do) for 25 minutes, during which you’ll focus on whatever work task for the day is most urgent. Then, take a five-minute break to do whatever you wish. After every four 25-minute work sessions, treat yourself to a longer break of 15 - 30 minutes for lunch, a walk around the block, or anything else that makes you feel refreshed. It’s a simple strategy that can help structure your workday into easily achievable units and help build focus. 

Give Yourself A Fresh Start 

If you worked in an office prior to working from home, you may have had the luxury of a cleaning crew coming through to tidy up your space each night after the workday was over. Most likely, that’s not the situation at home, so give yourself some time each evening to wipe down your desk, file away any loose papers, and generally set yourself up for a fresh start the next morning. Your future self will thank you.

Invest In Great Lighting

Lighting often gets overlooked in home offices, but the great news is that it's usually an easy fix. A simple task lamp can greatly improve your workstation, but also consider investing in a desktop light therapy box that can help give you an extra boost throughout the day, or buy a set of blue-light-blocking screen reading glasses that will help you wind down in the evening. Both are affordable wellness solutions that you’ll even be able to take with you once it’s OK to go back to working in the office. You could also go the candle route for a more serene atmosphere. Personally, we love Homesicks wide variety of city-inspired candles as well as Le Labo’s Palo Santo 14 candle if you’re ready for a splurge. And let’s be honest, after the year we’ve had we all deserve a little splurge.