Most of us will spend more waking hours at the
office than in our homes. That’s why it is important that our work space is a
nice place to be. Spending eight hours plus a day in a cramped, lifeless office
is not conducive to happiness or productivity.
And yet many offices are
crammed with filing cabinets, unused furniture and poorly designed work
stations. Many office workers spend a good part of their day rifling through
piles of papers trying to lay their hands on what they need. Often an item that
is used every day is situated out of reach. All these bad space and placement
decisions add up to office dysfunction and poor productivity.
Sometimes it is
necessary to keep files and records for extended periods, even years, and it
seriously worth considering keeping these off-site. A functioning, clutter-free
office will repay any storage expenses quickly in increased productivity and
mood. Storage facilities offer well-priced and very safe services that are
fully accessible. And of course, this would most likely be a tax deductible
expense. There are many companies offering off-site business storage, including
the very reputable Fort Knox business storage facilities, which are
available throughout Queensland.
There are many simple
ideas that will help create more space in your office simply and inexpensively.
Given the rewards of an improved working space, they are worth looking at!
Declutter,
Clean and Organise
First step; take an
inventory of what you use frequently and what you rarely use. Get rid of the
latter! It’s that simple. Make sure piles of papers and electrical cords are
out of view. Nothing looks shabbier than cords everywhere.
Step two; clean your
newly decluttered space thoroughly. A clean environment translates a clear
mind.
Next, get organised!
Check out every item in your office and relegate it to the appropriate place.
Office supplies and other items that can be stored should be placed in storage
cabinets, not left standing around. Items that you use every day should be on
your desk or within easy reach. Take anything of your desk that isn’t a
necessity. Everything else should go into your desk drawers.
Use
Display Space Carefully
It is nice to
personalise your space with pictures, ornaments and mementos, but be careful to
keep these to a tasteful minimum. If you have a magazine or journal collection,
just keep out the latest and best issues. Dog-eared copies must go to storage!
A great space saver and
organisational tool is the display board. Use white boards, bulletin boards or
even paint a wall with blackboard paint so you can keep your plans on the wall
for everyone to check out, instead of a pile of papers or notepads.
Make
the Most of Your Space
Don’t buy furniture that
is too large for your office space. Measure things before purchasing and then
go back to the office and space it out.
Use your wall space well
with shelves above desks and also on spare walls. Add cabinets under work
surfaces to maximise floor space. You may also consider adding some flexibility
to your space by getting desks and cabinets on wheels.
Office space can be improved
easily: welcome to a happier work space and increased productivity.
Author Bio:
Ethan Sagan