Remember when working from home felt like a dream? Pajamas all day. No commute. Total freedom. But fast forward to today, and that work-from-home office has become a dumping ground for receipts, chargers, mystery cords, and at least three mugs with one sip of coffee left. Sound familiar?
If your WFH setup is more chaos than clarity, you’re not alone. A cluttered workspace isn’t just annoying, it’s distracting, mentally exhausting, and (let’s be honest) a little embarrassing when the Zoom camera is on.
Let’s talk about how to bring some order, calm, and maybe even joy to your work-from-home space.
Why clutter in your workspace matters
Your environment affects your brain. When you’re surrounded by visual noise like papers, piles, post-its, and random chargers, your focus, creativity, and productivity take a hit. Your brain has to constantly filter out distractions, which uses up energy you could be spending on work.
And if you’re already juggling kids, pets, or roommates on top of deadlines, your space needs to support you, not stress you out!
5 simple ways to declutter your home office
You don’t need a fancy standing desk or matching acrylic drawer organizers. What you do need is a space that functions.
Here’s where to start:
1. Clear your desk surface
No, not just shuffle stuff to the side. Clear it. Take everything off. Wipe it down. Then only put back what you use daily: computer, maybe a lamp, your notebook and ONE pen. That’s it. Your brain will thank you.
2. Tame the paper monster
Let’s be real. Most of us don’t need to keep every receipt from 2019. Sort your papers into three categories: shred, scan, or file. Go digital where you can, and get a small inbox tray for stuff you actually need to deal with.
3. Say goodbye to cord chaos
No one needs six phone chargers and a tangle of HDMI cables “just in case.” Keep only what you use, label them (washi tape and a Sharpie work wonders), and stash extras in a small bin outside your work zone.
4. Create zones
Even in a small space, defining zones helps. One area for computer work, one for supplies, and one for thinking or taking calls (yes, the thinking zone can just be a chair). It helps your brain switch gears without feeling scattered.
5. Add a bit of joy
Clutter weighs you down. But something meaningful, like a plant, a favorite quote, or a picture of your dog, can lift you up! One small, intentional item that makes you smile? Keep it.
Don’t organize your clutter. Let it go!
This is your friendly reminder that you do not need to buy more stuff to deal with your clutter. In fact, you need less stuff. A clear space is a powerful space, and the truth is, most of us can do great work with a lot less than we think.
You deserve a space that works for you
You’re doing big things! Building a business, running a household, getting through your inbox without screaming. Your workspace should be a tool, not a trap. You deserve a space that helps you focus and breathe easy. Need a little help getting started? Our team at dClutterfly lives for this stuff. Whether it’s a closet or a corner office, we’re ready to help you make space for what matters.
