Much Needed Office Overhaul

I posted in my previous post which featured Clever Container's OTD Pantry Organizer that our office needs a really big overhaul when it comes to organization.

I LOVE the paint job that my husband did and I do love our IKEA furniture, but there are too many things going on in this office for it too be very productive. I will admit-- you heard it here-- that our office tends to have several piles of paper and books and craft supplies at any given time. Things that are piled on the floor because there just hasn't been a system put in place so that these items have a home.

Here is a picture of my husband's meticulous paint job--

Work in Progress- Meticulous measuring and taping by my talented husband (paint choices and design by him)

A picture of the finished product (will try to post a much better straight on picture at a later date)


The furniture we have in the room now (we also have a drafting table and two drawer file cabinet): 

EXPEDIT Shelving in Birch	FREDERICK Desk in Birch
BILLY bookcase in Birch	A Cart like this with one additional large drawer

Storage Already in Place:

IKEA magazine files

IKEA storage boxes

As you can see, we have a lot of storage pieces, but they are mainly  open pieces so everything that is on these pieces is open. This works because you can see what you have, but it also leads to open clutter for everyone to see. 

Issues in our office now: Lack of storage space for papers, open storage where items tend to pile up, open desk with no drawers for storage of office supplies, Small file cabinet, Cords in view, Tons of books and crafting supplies

Office Inspiration/Steps to a functional office:

1. Make use of vertical storage

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2. Space Planning for Best Use of Space

Like the Arrangement of Furniture {Source}

3. Add storage solutions that are FUNCTIONAL as well as hide clutter and offer a little punch of design

Clever Container Items to Use: 

-Sophisticated File Tote to house items from Clever Container Business: This tote is sturdy and has handles so it is easily moved (comes in pink, red and black); I can also print and file blog ideas in this tote

-Document Boxes: to store papers in categories

                            a. Bills to be paid

                            b. Papers to be filed

                            c. Follow up papers

                            d. Important receipts

                            e. People to touch base with (cards, gifts given, thank you cards

                                I need to write)

-3 Drawer Vanity: To hold small office supplies that are always needed such as stapler, tape measure

-Double Duty: these will fit into the IKEA cubby shelf and can contain additional art supplies such as wooden letters and smaller canvases out of site

-Case by Case: these boxes come in a turquoise blue and would look great on the open shelving to help add interest to open bookshelf

4. Cord Control

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TO DO LIST: (I will post pictures of Before and After once this process is underway)

1. Go through magazines (I have a ton) and clip ideas that I will use later and toss the rest of the magazines that I won't use 

2. File ALL paperwork that needs to be filed and toss the rest

3. Add more folders in file cabinet for new needed categories

4. Add shelving inside of closet for all of the craft supplies and items we don't use that often 

5. Go through books and items on bookshelves and purge what we don't need

6. Add vertical storage in the form of floating shelves on the wall behind the desk that isn't being used 

7. Rearrange furniture if needed

8. Purchase a small (and cheap) writing desk for me to work on (we currently share the one desk-- it gets crowded and messy fast) DONE see my DIY blog post on Refinishing the Desk from Craigslist 

Stay tuned for our office update coming soon. As soon as the desk is completely refinished, I will get in the office and get it in ship shape!!