7 Awesome Small Office Organization Ideas

Do you need small office organization ideas? Do you find yourself not working at your office or desk because you just can't get it organized?


Do you feel like it's just too small to get organized, or do you just not have enough space for anything? Let me show you how I organized my small office.


Paperwork organization

1. Paperwork organization

Organizing paperwork is crucial to small office organization. I have my paperwork filing system broken down into categories:


* Inbox, where everything is dropped off. 

* To Pay section where incoming bills are placed. 

* Coupons section where coupons are placed until ready to use. 

* Resources is where frequently referenced paperwork is held

* Events holds event fliers or event info for events I’ll be attending

* Projects is for paperwork concerning any urgent projects

* To File is where completed paperwork is held until I can file it

* Legal is where current/unsettled legal documents are held

* Cards is where I keep special occasion cards to give to others

* Mail supplies is where I keep my envelopes and stamps

* Outbox is where outgoing paperwork is held if it is not being filed

Utensils

2. Utensils

I keep my most frequently used writing utensils on the other side of the desk. I have one of each item that I use.


Keeping only one of each of the items on my desk ensures my desk stays clutter-free.


I do keep back-ups of the things I use the most, and I’ll show you where I keep the rest of the backup supplies shortly.

Furniture makeover

3. Furniture makeover

Yes, this desk has seen better days. I will be doing some furniture makeovers.


One benefit of organizing everything is that you can decorate because who can enjoy the decorations in a disorganized place? 

Using negative space

4. Use negative space

I have a big tip for maximizing a tiny desk area. Use negative space.


Negative space is space that would normally be empty because it has something in front of it, on top of it, or under it.


I got trays from Walmart before Dollar Tree carried them. They hold all of my little office supplies and the trays fit in a space behind my keyboard that was previously wasted space.


Another crucial part of organizing a small office: Being aware of the quantities to keep. What happens too often is we end up having too many items that we keep in our office that we will never use.


So, remember, when you think that you don't have space, a lot of the time, you actually do. You just have to find the negative space and make it work. 


5. Use Post-its 

I have paper clips and some Post-its as a temporary way to hold my paperwork, and then when I complete my paperwork, that's when I go ahead and staple it before I file it.


You could get the smallest packages available. I'll show you in another video how I use Post-its on a whiteboard for planning, for using a vision board, and for goals.


I have a roll of tape in this space, and then I have a backup in my extra supply area.  

Shoe shelf

6. Shoe shelf

The shoe shelf I use here is the trick to making this tiny office hold all of my items. You can get this shoe shelf at Target, Walmart, and any home improvement store.


They come in two different widths. Depending on the size of your desk area, you can place this under your desk. The best part about this shoe shelf is that it hides all of the cords for my electronics. I have my printer, my computer and a laminator.  


Then I have my two totes, and I will show you how those are organized in my paperwork organizing video. I have boxes for organizing my excess supplies. 

Shoe shelf

I have labeled one box "label maker”, and in it, I have all of my labeling supplies. 


My label maker, the cord, some chalk labels, a roller tape of labels, and label maker cartridges are all in this box.


My favorites are black on clear and black ink on clear tape. Then, I have some garage sale labels. I have all of my backup supplies in my other storage box, labeled supplies. 

Backup office supplies

7. Backup office supplies

The reason why I kept noting that it's important to have only one of each item at the desk and then have a backup is this is where people can get into trouble.


They buy too many office supplies, so they have no space to store them in. So here I combine my backup office supplies along with some craft supplies.


I have floral tape, ribbon, and one backup tape dispenser. What will happen is when you replace the item in your desk after it's used up, then you'll make a note that you need to buy at least one tape dispenser. 


Also, in this box, I have a few pens. I have one at the desk, and then if that one runs out, I get one here. I have one Sharpie at the desk and one back up here. I have my glue gun here and a glue stick.


When I get down to about a few of those, I'll get another bag. I have my checkbooks here, and then I have the rest of my post-its. The ones on my desk are made from recycled paper.


I have my laminating pouches in different sizes along with photo paper. I also have extra laminating pouches.  


Small office organization ideas

Small office organizing ideas are as varied as the offices you'll use them in. What works in my space can be adjusted for your small office or changed altogether.


What tips do you have for organizing your small office? Share your ideas in the comments below. 

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