Create a Home Office Workspace That Prioritizes Reducing Stress

Recently feeling overwhelmed with work projects has led me to create a stress-free workspace in my home office. As much as we all try to stick to these commitments, they somehow get lost in the busyness of everyday life.

During the holiday season, I took a good look at my home office workspace. I was disgusted at the view. Here I am, an interior designer creating beautiful homes for clients, and my own home office looked like a hurricane had come through, destroying my desk area and surrounding space. I made a point to take some much-needed time to invest in creating a stress-free workspace at home.

Becoming clutter-free and embracing work digitalization was the first step. With my daughter home for an extended holiday stay, I received a lecture on becoming more organized by embracing digitalization. Already juggling multi projects, how was there time to become digitalized? She suggested that if I created files in my Dropbox for each client for all notes and floorplans instead of just project photos, time would be saved, and life would be easier without rushing back and forth to the office every time a file was needed.

Tips for Decluttering Your Home Office Workspace

• Remove unused or unnecessary electronics.

• Wipe and recycle your old, outdated laptop

• Do you use an external hard drive?

• Toss out your outdated phone chargers

• Check to see if your charging cords still work with your current equipment

• Utilize interesting baskets for storage of books and magazines you want to keep

• Get rid of excess pens and pencils

• Store paperclips and elastics in an attractive box

Facing a desk feathered with floor plans waiting to be designed and my favorite shelter magazines and unused electronics, it was time to get organized. Becoming more organized would allow a flow of working more efficiently from one file to the next with enjoyment and without feeling overwhelmed. Here are some easy tips for organizing your desk at home.

Remove Everything From Your Desk

Just as in a room redesign, beginning with a clean slate. This allows the clutter-free process to begin. All books, business cards, and other loose notes and papers should be removed for sorting, shredding, and throwing away. This task would be done after a clean workspace is created. The process becomes more effective as the shredder and basket can be placed at your feet while sifting through each piece. This method also eliminates the need of wanting to hold on to something for later while sitting at your desk trying to sort.

Lighten up the pencil holder. A container for holding these instruments is necessary. However, 10 of each is a bit much. Consider a power strip charging station if additional outlets are needed for electrical cords. Business cards collected from trade shows and networking groups seem to accumulate on the desktop. I’ve begun to utilize the TurboScan app on my phone and categorize items for easy access in Dropbox.

Storage baskets are a must. Additional space under the desk can be used for reference guides, magazines, and go-to material. Setting the printer on a nostalgic stand that fits under the desk also frees up your home office workspace.

Finish the look. Add a nice-smelling candle and a live potted plant. Add an area rug to ground this space. With a small amount of effort and a dedicated afternoon, you, too, can design a stress-free home office workspace.

About Debbe Daley

Debbe Daley is New England’s leading interior design expert in the fields of design, decorating, and styling of interior spaces. She is a professional speaker, educator, influencer, and business coach in interior design. She also teaches creative interior design and change-of-career-minded individuals at her School of Interiors. These courses provide mentoring and hands-on training. Debbe is currently an installed Design Services member for the Boston Design Center. She also is an educator and instructor at Middlesex Community College in the field of interior design.

Contact Debbe at ddaley@daleydesigns.com or (978) 697-0288.