Times Have Changed

Cut to 2020 and to say we’ve had to re-think our space is an understatement. I know you feel me on this one! We’re all home and doing everything at home. My hubby and I are now both working from home full-time.

So, we needed to rethink our workspace. We had to take a couple of things into consideration…we both need dedicated, flexible workspace, and we both need Zoom-worthy set ups.

That being said, we had not set up our home for this. We have a town home that is a real Goldilocks situation…. not too small, not too big – it’s just right for us. Under normal circumstances. But it’s not meant for 2 full-time businesses. We’ve learned how to be great at being flexible.

Time to Get Flexible

It made the most sense for my hubby to take over my office because of the demands of his job, and, real talk, he’s a loud talker so a room with a closed door is the best option. That left me to find a place to set up camp – which is fine by me, because finding solutions is my JAM.

I didn’t like the idea of an office in our bedroom – I wanted to keep our bedroom as our relaxing sanctuary. The only option was our main room, the living/kitchen space. So I claimed a cute corner in our great room and made my Pop-Up Office!

Today, I’m going to take this opportunity to walk you through tips for both options – how to organize your desktop in an established at-home office AND how to create a brand-new pop-up office. Take a look and decide which is best for YOUR life. Maybe it’s both, like us.

Pop It Up

Let’s start with how to organize your desktop using a pop-up office, because I’m so excited about my new setup. Our main tip? BE PORTABLE! If you’re setting up a pop-up space, the key is to be able to set up and take it down, quickly. You’ll be more likely to maintain and enjoy this system if it’s easy to do. We used one of the tall tables I use with my clients.

Then, gather your office daily essentials and place them in a bin. For me, that meant my laptop + mouse, desktop planner, rainbow pens (of course), Post-It notes Sticky Memo Ball, and my “Organizer is IN” sign.

I used the Sage & Silver Woven Kiva Storage Bin. It is much easier to carry one item, like a basket or bin, than it is to carry a bunch of little items to organize your desktop. Also, you can store your portable office basket out of the way, when it’s not in use.  Next day, grab this bin, plop it down on your folding table, and voila! A desk! Easy set up.

Caution: Organizer Working Ahead!

Let’s talk about that sign I added to my portable pop-up office. I printed it out and framed it with the Lund London Acrylic Photo Frame and it’s perfect – functional but purdy!

Why the sign?  When you’re set up to work in the middle of a shared space, other members of your household might not know when you’re focusing on work. I’m not calling anyone out, but I know I can’t be the only one! When my sign is up, he knows I’m in work mode! No interruptions, please!

If you have kids, you’re probably laughing your head off right now, because there’s no chance kiddos are going to pay attention to a sign. But if you live with adults, give it a try. It really works.

Back to Home Base

Okay, let’s head back into that permanent office space. I’ve got some tips and tricks for you.

Documenting the Documents

Papers are tough. Don’t worry; they’re challenging for everyone. But now is the perfect time to take action! There are a few different styles of paper sorting.

Of course, the classic filing system works wonders. Acrylic Desktop File with crisp white hanging files like the White Letter-Size Hanging File Folders makes for a beautiful setup. Try using hanging file tabs for big categories and then throwing file folders in for smaller, more specific sections. Take a look at how mine came together!

I also love pairing the Project Files with the Acrylic Magazine Slipcase for the important, easy-access documents!

If you’ve got much bigger categories, or backstock of office supplies, I recommend using the Poppin Magazine holders to keep everything organized! Store them on a shelf with the closed edge out – it’s perfect for labeling and maintaining a clean look.

Supplementing the Supplies

Now that we’re on the topic of office supplies – we’ve talked about how to sort papers with things on them, but what about blank paper? If you need to grab supplies more frequently, like printer paper, store them in a tray for easy access. Sort the different sizes and styles of paper – and don’t forget to label for even easier access! Here, I used the Lund London Stackable Letter Tray to do just that. It makes it incredibly easy to find what I’m looking for when I’m doing office work!

Here’s a look at the beautiful combo of those paper management solutions! Plus, I threw in a couple Landscape Acrylic Paper Drawers to separate out my important current projects!

Got desk supplies that fall somewhere between big papers and little tidbits? Another option for supply storage would be a nice set of those Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawers. You might recognize this handy storage option from our recent post about How to Organize your Makeup. But let me tell you – they’re perfect for so many things!

I personally like to use them for medium-sized supplies, like notecards, stickers, envelopes, and last but definitely not least – my mail center! It’s incredibly helpful to have everything you need to mail a letter in one place. In that particular drawer, I store my stamps, return address labels, and my identity roller.

That’s right! No room for a shredder? Grab a handy-dandy identity roller and save yourself some space, time, and energy by covering up confidential information with a quick swipe.

I mixed and matched those products from the Container Store for this look, and it came together beautifully! Here’s the full effect. You’ll notice I’ve got a couple White Plastic Storage Bins with Handles stored on the shelf above. That’s our champagne backstock, for post-quarantine celebration!

Drawer Delicacies

Of course, not everything can stack as easily as paper. How about those little bits that you usually cram in a desk drawer? Well, I’ve got a solution for you – the iDesign Linus Shallow Drawer Organizers. You’ve probably seen OBE use these in kitchens, and they work just as well in offices! The key here is sort “like with like.”

PRO TIP: Those alcohol prep pads are for prepping surfaces for labels – and removing old labels and residue! If you’re a big labeler, 10/10 would recommend keeping those stocked! (2020 tip: Alcohol kills germs!)

Desktop Decadence

No shelves to store all of this? There’s a quick and easy solution to keep the necessities nearby when you organize your desktop – the Desktop Mail Center. For OBE, stickies and Sharpies are essential. What do you need for your work? Make sure those items are easy to access, then throw some cute Signature Ballpoint Pens and a Poppin Notebook of your choice in there, and you’re all set!

And to continue that clean look, I love using the Acrylic Tape Dispenser and Acrylic Stapler as my desktop accessories. Who knew a stapler could be so glam!

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

One last note before I wrap this up. Of course, we love a clean, pristine space – but you can’t forget the soul! Make sure you include items that reflect your flavor and make you happy when you organize your desktop and office – whether it’s a wall decoration or a shelf dedicated to it.

Be purposeful about your selections. For me, I love having my fav books on hand. Color-coded, of course! (And peep that The Home Edit book – I’m a big fan!)

Now that you have a functional and beautiful space, you’re all ready to go! These next few months may be tricky, so control what you can control and create a properly organized workspace – and you’re sure to boost your productivity and sanity. And remember, OBE is here to help you with all your organizing challenges! For any part of your home. We recently launched the Organized by Ellis Facebook Group to provide support for our community in the ways we know best… and as always, follow us on Insta for more tips and to see some delicious before/afters!