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{Now Closed} Apartment Guide New Year, New Space Challenge: Project Office + $100 Gift Card Giveaway

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I need some help. BIG help. My office is always in disarray. I feel like I can’t function until I declutter and clean it up but it never seems to stay that way for long.

One of my goals this year was get a better office system, de-clutter this room, and just create a space where I can think and focus. Right now, this is not a room of focus. I’m really embarrassed to share the before pictures. However, if I don’t show you the before pictures which I will do so in a bit, it won’t be as spectacular when I show you the after pictures.

When I was contacted my Apartment Guide and asked to be a part of the New Year, New Space challenge, I jumped on the opportunity. They are giving me a gift card to help create my new space and they are giving me a $100 Gift Card to giveaway to one lucky reader to help you create your own space. Plus, it is good motivation for me to uh, clean and organize my space.

I know you are thinking Apartment Guide, but I live in a house. Not only does Apartment guide have photos, floor plans, features, and tips to help you find the perfect apartment community, they have a online moving center which has tips for decorating, cleaning, organizing, and making the most of your space. This is good information no matter where you live!

Are you ready for my messy office pictures?

This is what I have to work with. I would like to find a desk that has more desktop space and remove this bulky item from my office area. Some type of shelving system would be nice to for my review/giveaway items. Obviously, some of this is just clean up items, which I have since completed since taking the picture.

What other ideas do you have for me?

Be sure to follow Apartment Guide on Twitter and Facebook for real time tips and updates on making the most of your space.

How to Win?s

Prize: $100 American Express Gift Card

You can enter up to 5 times with the following methods:

1. Leave a comment with suggestions on how to spruce up my office! Link or add a picture if that helps!

2. Become a Facebook Liker of Apartment Guide and Bargain Briana on Facebook.

3. Follow AptGuide and BargainBriana on Twitter:

4. Tweet the following on Twitter:

Help @bargainbriana organize her office space and win a $100 Am. Ex. GC from @AptGuide http://bit.ly/gpjULB

Please leave a comment for each additional entry.

Giveaway Ends 2/9/2011 at 11:59 p.m.. (This should give me plenty of time to spruce up my office so I can post pictures when I announce the winner!)

Winner will be chosen by random. Be sure bargainbriana@gmail.com is in your safe sender list as you don’t want to miss the email if you are the chosen winner. If winner doesn’t respond to my email within 48 hours, I will pick another winner. U.S. Entries only.

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as myself to participate in its New Year, New Space Blogger Challenge.  As part of that program, I received compensation.  They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used for the New Year, New Space Blogger Challenge. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. Read more on my Disclosure Policy.

Comments

  8. I would definitely say shelving would help and also storage containers. I think mostly you just need to organize it! :)

  10. A desk for sure…with lots of horizontal space and drawers. A big dry erase board,calendar, corkboard combo. As soon as I get a schedule I write it down on the paper calendar so I can throw all the individual papers away.

  11. Its important to let go and get rid of the things you haven’t used in a while. Designate specific spaces. For example, one folder for unread mail, other for mail that you need to keep and the last one (or even a bin) for stuff that needs to be shredded. A bin for stuff to be recycled.

  22. It seems like at least you have the space; you just need to organize it a bit more. Take anything “dining room related” out of that space (that would open up that area in the dining room cabinet (where you have those china items) for you to put some of your giveaway items or office supplies. Perhaps invest in a stacking storage cubes system for the open floor space to put in extra items that seem to end up on the floor. And your workout equipment should probably go somewhere else…a closet? Your bedroom?

  23. Looks almost as bad as my own office space. I’ve been advised that if you haven’t used something at least a couple of times in the last 6 months, you should get rid of it. I think organization is the answer, a place for everything and everything in it’s place. Now if I could only follow up on that! Good luck, will be looking forward to seeing the results.

  31. Take advantage of every inch for storage. Also, really use a critical eye and get rid of everything you don’t use in that space. Best organization tip is not holding onto clutter!

  36. im not much of an organizer, but i would suggest going thru EVERYTHING and start throwing things away that have not been used. sadly, i just cleaned out a portion of my office space and found TONS of coupons/paperwork that were MONTHS old. clutter can accumalate so quickly =/

  43. Get shelves for all your review items, designate a basket for all mail and go thru it and empty it at least once a week, breakdown all your smaller boxes for recycle and put them in one box. Sometimes its a matter of condensing that really helps.

  46. Get a bulletin board for your papers, or a wall mount bulletin board/message center. Store the review stuff in stackable bins or crates. Clear out the non office stuff first. Put recyclables in trash can just for that purpose either in the garage or outside.

  54. I would say get a smaller desk with just a working space-no shelving and then shelving can be hung on the wall above the desk-it has cleaner lines that way.
    hendymartin1 AT yahoo DOT com

  60. I follow both Apartment Guide and BargainBriana on Facebook (Kess N Crystal Warren on Facebook)

  64. Refinish hutch in a lighter color and remove doors. Add new hardware.

    Do Board and Baton Walls with shelf ledges to display pics and other decor.

    Make curtains out of drop cloths.

    Go to knockoff wood.com to find easy plans for furniture similar to PB.

  65. My office space looks pretty disorganized and could definately use some more storage and a real office desk! $100 could help me out in that department a lot!

    I would suggest moving the dining room hutch out and replacing it with some nice shelving units or bookshelf large enough for you to store all of your review and giveaway items so they can be off the floor. Clear floorspace feels soooo good and spacious!

  71. The clear plastic totes from Staples are the best way to keep stuff organized but still be able to see what you have.

  75. I believe shelves and baskets might help out. :) And a nice desk with lots of places to put stuff.lol

  76. I think that maybe some kind of trash and recycle bins would help and some kind of a storage cabinet for you to keep your tote bags in. I have a similar problem with having a different tote bag for all the different places that I have to have ready to go at a moments notice.

  82. There seems to be a lot of stuff that doesnt need to go in this room (recyle stuff, trash, workout bag, etc). If you have a garage, that is where I would put the trash (in a can…ha ha) and the recycle stuff. If you have a closet near the front door, that is where I would keep your workout bag packed and ready to go. That would make some room for your new desk with shelves and storage to place the other stuff and get rid of the boxes when unpacked and put away.

  83. We put additional shelving above our computer area and turned the single sided desk into a corner desk with two sides. That gave us the regular desk sticking out into the living room, the corner space has the monitor and the add on desk area holds the additional books and paperwork. We have each of our work computers under a smaller add on printer / scanner stand with two shelves there. Its organized now… The next part is the library we do need more shelves and a window seat.

  87. My tip would be baskets, baskets, baskets. I use wicker baskets everywhere in my house and especially w/ my office/coupon/magazine/etc items! Hides clutter and keeps it organized!

  91. One thing that helps me stay organized is to go through the mail right away when you get it. Then I file away bills or reciepts and shred the junk with my name on it. Then it doesn’t pile up and take over my desk (I have other paperwork that does that for me:)

  95. A corner desk helped a lot in my little office space. It made it feel like there was more space.

  99. I think you should have more storage space, some place you can store more stuff, shelves with the little plastic milk crates, or the cube cubbies with the fabric lined baskets

  107. Have your notebooks be in a color that you LOVE. Things that are the right color for you (not just he standard black), will actually get used.

  113. Just do a little every day. Start with the items on the floor one day, move to the desk. Then it won’t seem so overwhelming.

  115. You need to get rid of all the items (chair, recycling and etc…) that are not part of your work and move them to another area. Now that you have an empty wall, you need to put shelving up (on at least part of that wall) with bins to hold the to be sorted or attended to items. Coupons should be set up in a to be cut bin and a to be sorted bin – you also need to have a “murphy” desk that you can pop up to use for couponing – when done all couponing items should be filed or sorted into the 2 bins that go back on your shelf and the desk folded back down so that “junk” does not collect.

  117. I covered 2 12×12 corkboard pieces with pretty fabric and hung them on the wall as a bulletin board. I also took an old briefcase, opened it up and put all ooffice supplies and urgent files in them. Those just added a pretty touch. I purged years worth of files I’m not sure why I had. Also, I found all of these pretty brown, black and beige boxes at Costco that I used to put misc. items in, software, office supplies, etc. Before we moved I staged our house and realized how much I loved living in a simple, decluttered environment. Good luck!

  118. My office is in about the same shape. My plan is to use cubby hole shelves on the wall above my desk for storage. I think that will clean up the look.

  119. I would move out anything not related to an office, such as remnants of dining room.
    Look into IKEA shelves and desk units. These things are great. TONS of room to organize using baskets and files.

  123. I am a FB fan of APT guide, also I follow U on FB & emails. I sure could use a remodel of my home office!!

  125. I think pretty baskets sitting on shelves are helpful….keeps things looking cleaner ….have fun remaking your space :) I would really love to win the give away. :)

  129. When you are cleaning out your office, if you are not sure if you should get rid of it or not, put it in a bin, close the bin. If you don’t look in the bin again or need anything out of it after 3 months, don’t open the bin, just get rid of it. You will never miss what’s in it!

  130. Ok, first, you need to make it just an office….if you need to keep your mail and important papers, then get a tall skinny file cabinet. Also, there is a great bin/furniture piece at Costco right now that would be perfect! BUT…label label label or it will just be concealed mess! Good luck!

  133. Hope this helps. We bought this L shaped desk (Bennington L Shaped desk from Office Max) with hutch system and it has tons of storage built in but allows you to add more. If you join MaxRewards and watch for sales, this desk is affordable and resists chips and scratches (3 kids!!). Good luck!

  137. I have found that craiglist has great used furniture for the price – also places like Cort office rental, typically has a section of used furniture for sale. Check out desks at either place (dining room tables can also be used as desks)

  138. wow that was a clutter, I hate clutter, the more shelves u have the more ull store, I find going thru thingsonce or 2 a week declutters me!

  139. I’d say first things first.. go through everything and throw out TRASH and separate things that need to be recycled, etc. Get things out of the room that dont belong (your kids sock, a random spoon, gi joe, etc). Make a pile separated by genre (bills, mags, coupons, etc). And then go from there!

  140. I find that putting on a good CD and just getting it done works. First get rid of all the trash and put all the things that need to go to the thrift store in a pile by the door. Next, take everything off the computer area and dust well. When you go back to replace your items, go through them asking yourself “Do I use this; is it important?”. If not, put it in the thrift pile and move on. If you need new shades or drapes, pull them down and buy some while you are in the work mode. As soon as you get them, put them up. In with the new & out with the old. Also, buy a couple of nice prints that make you feel good & get rid of all the miscellaneous knick knacks that just collect dust! ONLY keep the things that are important to you! Vaccuum & Joila…Makeover in hopefully less than 1 day…Now it’s my turn!! Hopefully I can win the gift card as I desperately need new window coverings & am broke as a joke!!

  142. 1. Get rid of what you don’t need.
    2. File papers.
    3. Get a desk that has a larger workspace, maybe even one that extends across the wall with the window, lose the hutch.
    4. Get an inexpensive bookcase, stock with paper trays and small boxes, use a tension rod and curtain to keep it neat.

  151. Maybe a wall unit with cubbies that you could put baskets in to store stuff. It would definitely help contain the clutter.

    dealia79(at)gmail(dot)com

  155. I’m all for moving out non office items. Then add a bookshelf is needed. On the shelves add color coded baskets for bills, school, coupons, etc.

  157. Lots of shelves and baskets for organizing. I use labels on my baskets so I can keep things in their right places.

  158. I’d put a shelf up high above the desk for archive, not often used things to get them out of the way. Also, color code categories….binders, stickies, highlighters, etc. Then you can mark as you are sorting and know what it is without reading it again. Use clear containers as much as possible so you can see what it is. I save sheet/blanket zipper bags for storage and they are viewable containers without taking up a lot of space. Good luck…..looks like you are having fun with the project.

  160. This looks like mine too! I would love the gift card to start a makeover! ;) I love using cute storage baskets from Target – they have some adorable ones lined with fabric. Or, you could even buy an extra curtain panel (the new ones you hung up -cute!!) and cut it up and line your own baskets to match!! You could also make a bulletin board with the curtain fabric. How cute would that be?! ;)

  164. Hmmm…Id say that chair need to be green and gold and all your worries are over! LOL! JK.
    I did find a great storage CABINET. Although I think the open shelf systems look nice, I HATE to dust things off and have to see any clutter. I like this one you can find at Target and Sears, and a few other places but Sears was less expensive. The lower unit gives you some wall space for some serene pics, or family candids…hung from the rod type photo displays like this:

    http://www.csnstores.com/asp/superbrowse.asp?clid=646&caid=&sku=UM4220&refid=GPA49-UM4220

    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00858086000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=00858086000P

    If not this type of lower unit, I’d go with an armoire desk unit with a slide out. Most even have some sort of bulletin board area for messages and papers. That way you can close it all up at day’s end and have nothing showing when not in use. I love the cherry but probably you can find any finish.

    http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/461150/Christopher-Lowell-Shore-Computer-Armoire-76/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Shopzilla-_-Furniture_Collections-_-461150&mr:referralID=d9b5f1ae-2cee-11e0-ad8e-001b2166c62d

    Id also get some pressure mount blinds if you want to make it look more sleek OR go with longer drapes mounted HIGHer to make the room look bigger.

    I agree with having some colorful baskets to hold some of the papers, etc…but for me, if I get too many bins or baskets I just find more things to fill them with and then have to sort even MORE. Keep it simple and keep a nice sleek trash container close to toss things. Less paper= less clutter, so do keep calendars and other info online, but make sure it’s all backed up well so a crash doesn’t leave you lost.

    I wish we could re do our family PC/desk area too!

    thanks!

  167. Ikea has some awesome organizing techniques on display! Go take a walk through their displays! Plus be sure to check out their ‘as is’ section- we got a large desk top in two sections and some cheap table legs to make an awesome work station with enough space for my husband and I both to work!

  168. I would do floor to ceiling matching bookshelves. Add some matching colored wicker baskets to hold misc stuff.

  173. Lose the drapes and get a miniblind.
    Replace the nice china cabinet with a bookcase.
    I love an old-fashioned roll-top desk, because it hides work-in-progress in a flash if needed.
    Get a pretty bulletin board, perhaps on the back of the door where it is usually out of sight, and purge out-of-date items frequently.

  177. Get rid of hutch! Shelves, shelves….. use those walls with cubbies and shelves and a cork board!!!

  180. Clear storage bins with labels are a must. Also move out the stuff that doesn’t belong in here and it will make it feel clean right off.

  187. You need some type of organizer. I like drawers so that items can be hidden and not everywhere for all to see. You can put stacking drawers inside of them to organize the drawers. Have a seperate bin (even one of those 3 sort laundry hampers) for your garbage and recycling near the door so you can empty quickly. LABEL drawers/totes so you know where everything is! Good luck =)

  190. first I would clean everything off the desk that isn’t computer or work related and I would add some time of file shelving system near the desk for your files and to put any mini bookcase on top to limit where and what you can put on top of your shelving system
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  195. Clean the floor first!! When the floor is cleaned up, you will immediately feel the space begin to enlarge and feel like you are getting somewhere and you can safely reach the high spots :) Every pile gone, every box emptied, every sack taken out is a VICTORY!!

  198. I think using clear bins helps keep things organized because you can see what goes where
    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

  199. If it was me I would try to clear out all the non-office related stuff…I know I can’t work when all other household related distractions are sitting by me. I would definitely suggest a shelving system with doors/drawers!

  201. For the mail… use the same idea as the hanging folders due to no desk space and label read, bills, file . This way if you do not have time to deal with it all you can at least have your bills in one spot so when you are ready to pay them you dont have to search your desk.

  208. Mine looks a lot like yours :) I bought some stacking letters trays (6 of them) and I use them to file bills, projects, and some file folders that I use a lot. It reall helped clean up a lot of the paper clutter.
    someluckydog at gmail dot com

  210. Shelves and baskets/bins! Hiding the stuff makes it all so much better. A couple of filing cabinets might help too. Good Luck!!

  216. Bookshelves and Baskets! In the closet in my office I have a not pretty shelf system full of plastic baskets. It is perfect for storing smallish things that tensd to clutter up places adn I can sotr things too. On the few visible bookshleves that are not crammed with my books I have prettier baskets also used for sorting. they are a LIFESAVER.

  220. I can’t give many suggestions for organization or tidying up because I struggle with it daily and my house is a DISASTER! I got married less than a year ago and our house was obviously not made for two people…there’s no storage what so ever. However, the few suggestions that I do have are: 1) get some form of a basket (I like wicker just because they look decorative as well as functional) and throw all mail in there (it will at least keep it all in one place); 2) if possible to fit even the smallest of card tables (or larger table) into a corner, cover with a floor length table clothe (or just a large piece of fabric) this will not only give counter/tabletop room but will also give hidden storage underneath the table for any misc. items that don’t yet have a home. 3) a bookcase with canvas baskets work awesome for catch-alls.

  228. closet storage works well in an office. The have racks that have drawers on the bottom and are on rollers so you can move as needed. Also rolling carts or stackable crates — use the ones that you can label easily so you know what is where. The greatest tip is to put things away when you get them it is when you wait that things pile up. And I fo like the colts chair.

  232. There is an auction of executive furniture coming up on February 3rd. I don’t need a desk quite as large as what I’ve seen pictured, but I too need to re-organize. Good luck!

  236. My goodness, all you need is a day to organize, a few little fabric bins and organizers and a message and organizer board to keep you on task! On my desk, I use boxes that look like books to organize my “works in progress”. When I am not using them, they stand upright and look just like a book! (Homegoods) The bags of goods that are in the dining room need to go out to the car to be delivered to the locations they need to go. It is easier to ignore them in your house than it is in your car! YOU CAN DO IT!

  237. I would say to put some of your little items or paper in pretty little baskets…Like the ones that are lined with fabric and have bows on them!!! I love those!

  242. Briana,

    Oooh… I would love to win this one! I am excited to see your finished product… I would suggest some fun bins/storage buckets/cubbies…. to contain the coupons, mail, blogging supplies, etc. Have fun, I’m sure it will turn out great!

  245. I would get a smaller desk and more bookcases. With a good bookcase just add some bins for a much more organized look:)

  250. i think a desk with doors would be cool u could close it when u are not using it and it would really look nice.

  253. Take everything out and paint the walls. This way you will really hesitate to bring anything in that doesn’ t belong and it will inspire you to handle your piles!

  255. I would get those storage boxes that look pretty but that you can stack up & keep everything organized inside. A fresh coat of paint on the walls could spruce it up too & motivate you to want to keep everything organized.

  256. I suggest getting some storage totes along with baskets to try to keep it all organized!

  257. You definitely need a bookcase! I would suggest a tall bookcase with canvas boxes to hold clutter.

  260. I am already a facebook liker/lover of Bargain Briana but i also just became a liker of apartment guide

  263. I am not alone…. thank goodness. I am on this mission to but I am taking baby steps. I have emptied out bins/boxes of old magazines I was holding onto for kids projects and ideas first and I could not believe how many I had kept. Now I am onto going through all of the filing boxes and my boxes of papers that I had to keep for one reason or another which have now become an entire closet (+) full and getting rid of what is not really necessary. Then I feel I can begin to “organize” what everyone else sees. I think you could use similar things in your space that I am looking for in mine.
    I would recomend those cubes that you can use with or without the fabric bins in them. You can get them everywhere from target to office stores. I like the idea that I could use a couple of the cubes for books/magazines and them some I could get the fabric bins for and keep papers in them so no one has to see them. The other cubes could be used for misc.

  264. If you have a garage move your recycle to that area and use bins for that. If you don’t have China in that cabinet you could us it for some office stuff.

  265. Try the cubby boxes they have with the pretty baskets that slide in. They have them everywhere like walmat, target, lowes. They will keep things you need together and look organized. You can reach into a basket you need or pull the whole thing out and take it to another space without making a mess :)

  271. Definitely a big fan of the rubbermaid bins… also shelving is great!!! A bigger desk, most definitely! You also need filing cabinets to keep all your paperwork!! =) Can’t wait to see the after pictures!!

  272. My best advice for sprucing up your office – storage! I bought these awesome Ikea shelves awhile ago for my sewing room and I love them! They’ve made a huge difference. I’m planning to buy some for my office next!!

  273. I would suggest that you get a nice computer desk. Small enough that you can keep it tidy and neat. Then I suggest that you get storage cubbies with cute bins to keep your giveaways and small items in them. For the coupons I suggest file folders. That’s all I got. My coupon mess in on my kitchen counter, so it makes me feel like I am calling the kettle black and my name is Pot! (nice to meet you!)

  278. My first suggestion would be to find some sort of desktop/work space, whether it is a new desk or an added table. Then consider going up with your storage rather than out. I am a consultant for an awesome company that focuses only on organization and decluttering, we offer you the process and the products through our catalogs that can help in any area.

  282. For the shelving system for the review/giveaway items, be sure to include some kind of “folder holder” for info you need to file for each item.

  284. BRI – I AM SO WITH YOU! DONT HAVE A CLUE BUT HOPE YOU SHARE SOME OF THE ONES YOU RECEIVE!!! I NEED HELP TOO :)

  285. I think you need to paint it a cheery color to help keep you motivated. The wall color coordinates well with the rug and the curtains, but it doesn’t say “creative” to me. Jazz up your space with some color!

  289. I would definitely move out the China Hutch and move in a Credenza that has a cabinet with doors underneath for storage that can be closed off and then has a shelf on top that you can use to put dividers on top for filing for items that you need to have handy daily.

  293. I wish I had an answer for you but my office looks the same way. I will read some of your comments so that I can get some ideas too.

    gmissycat at yahoo dot com

  294. Use those recycle boxes to start to organize – hard to know what you are dealing with until everything is sorted! And my big tip would be give yourself about 15-20% more storage space for things than you think you need – because things seem to breed/grow/expand….

  301. It’s so hard to get organized! I’ve been working on my house since I found out I was pregnant with our fourth. She was born early December & I’m still working on it – so I don’t know if you want my suggestion or not, but I just started really looking at things & if I haven’t used it lately, I tossed it! Thanks for the chance!

  304. I would add some plants. That space above the big piece of dining room furniture would look good with some greenery.

  309. Definately some colorful bins and trays to color code your things! Pull it all out, sort it and label!

  310. shoe organizers work great for other small things as well and can be hidden behind the door. I use mine for storing some of my craft items. easy to see what you have and don’t have. can use to help sort mail, incoming, to pay, shred, etc.

  311. Gotta get some shelves in there….get the stuff off the floor and organized in a shelving unit. Good luck. I know it can seem overwhelming…gotta fix it before it is too intimidating though.

  312. Take out the non-office stuff, get some wall organizers, and paint the walls nice bold color:)

  321. I’m always in a paper mess, too, so I’m not much help. I did get some files and cardboard magazine holders at Target for $1. I labeled them: File, Shred, Mail (meaning, look at this and do something with it before filing or shredding!). It’s helping a bit. Good luck!

  325. I agree with the tips to get the “non-office” stuff out. Then I would get a large filing cabinet with drawers big enough to hold some of those giveaway items etc. That way drawers can be labled and you can easily find the items you are looking for.

  328. :-) Hi I’m Liz & I’m a student Interior Designer. I have some suggestions that I believe will help you out. Here we go :

    1. I recommend an L-shaped desk that has a hutch attachment on one side w/ concealed cabinetry. This way one side will be open for you to work on while the other is for electronics.

    2. Cork board tiles can be placed on a wall (won’t damage) for the “schedules * school stuff”. They come in 1′ tiles @ Bed Bath & Beyond usually in the spring.
    3. Staples has clear wall filing systems that have 3 tiers & attach onto the wall by screw. This would help w/ your mail. You can label ea. tier
    4.A book shelving system w/ doors to help store your books, mags, review items, coupons, items underneath desk. I got mine from Lowes for $200 w/ modern finish
    5. There are “box-like” organizers @ Target that have canvas or grass drawers. This can be storage for giveaways
    6. 3 hooks that are not permanent so the bags are off of the floor. The kind where you pull on the adhesive & then they can be removed.
    I hope I’ve been some help to you,
    Liz

  332. If it makes you feel better… my desk and work space in my classroom is MUCH worse. I would try something like this because it looks nice, but it also enable you to hide stuff and sort things.

    http://www.target.com/Entryway-Storage-Cabinet-White/dp/B003VVWTNG/ref=br_1_8?ie=UTF8&id=Entryway%20Storage%20Cabinet%20White&node=683102011&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchPage=1&sr=1-8&qid=1296093233&rh=&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=salesrank&frombrowse=1

  340. I try to write all of my scheduling and importand dates on my calendar and then have the actual schedules/ school papers, etc with any other specific info I may need to refer to in a folder next to it. It takes away a little of the paper clutter especially since most of the papers I can recycle once they are written.

  341. I had a countertop cut to fit an L shape around the corner of the room. I use file cabinets under it. It gives me alot of counter space (to clutter up:-) )

  343. I have a problem with clutter in my office too and I know your pain! I am so visual and want to be able to see everything. I have found that my Ikea desk and “cubbies” with baskets have been great for all my stuff. It is still easily accessible but very organized. I also love that the bins and baskets I use in the cubbies can be whatever color/pattern that I want to use in the room. One other item that I love to use is a hanging file box. This is easy to get to but closes to hid the mess. Good luck!

  349. I love my coupons! I keep them organized in a 3 ring binder. I don’t actually cut any out of the newspaper clippings until I use them. I have them stacked in order from the date. Thankfully, there are numerous websites that have the date and source for each coupon. (SS for Smart Source, RP for Red Plum, PG for Proctor & Gamble).

  351. This is something I struggle with as well because I work from home, too. I was able to find some really nice desk/office furniture on clearance at Staples about a year ago that I absolutely love, but they don’t have it any longer.

    I guess it depends on what style you’re going for and if you live near an Ikea. If you like modern, we got this desk/table for my daughter to use for homework, craft projects, etc. SO easy to put together – just screw on the legs and really inexpensive!

    This is the desk/table:
    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79831622

    This is the corner unit:
    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29887466

    You could do the corner unit and one or two tables to make a very large workspace.

    Although these don’t have any storage space, you can easily add baskets, file boxes/tubs and shelving to help with that.

    As for the bags – this is something I finally addressed in our house right before school started. I have a little rack with hooks that we put up on the wall – great if you have a spot right near the door to hang your stuff on – especially if you’re forgetful like me! :-)

  355. ^go through one pile of stuff and sort into three piles: keep, donate, and toss. Buy binders for your papers. Buy a shelf to place these binders on. Mark accordingly. Find little key trays and mark them keep, donate, toss and when you get new stuff and are unsure at the moment separate them into the trays. At the end of the week finally decide what you will do with the stuff.

  360. My number one tip is to create a space for things then LABEL everything. Example: Have a bin for mail not yet sorted, coupons, magazines, bills, school stuff etc. with labels on every bin and stick to it. Put it all in the correct bin the first time and don’t let it pile up on the table top. Thats what gets me in trouble a lot.

  364. I need help with my home office too. I think the first step would be to move all the non work related things out of the space. If you have no room for them donate or sell them. I love totes for papers. I have same one with different papers and I write whatever is inside them with grease pencils so I can erase them. Thats a start. Good Luck!

  372. I think you should get rid of the china cabinet and get some kind of armoire to store all your stuff in. You could also get a storage bench and removed a few of the chairs!

  373. I think it would definately help your office to get some of those plastic-type tupperwear dresser type things to organize all your things in! :)

  374. I need help in this area too! But regarding recycling, I never let it stay in the house. It immediately goes to a kitchen-sized trash can in the garage right near the door. When full it goes out to the big can outside.

  375. A good size filing cabinet would be a start, then a set of shelf’s maybe put where the cabinet is at. And a large message board half dry erase half cork for pinning up papers and reminders. Get rid of large arm chair, if you an extra chair for visitors get a folding chair.

  376. Move out the stuff that doesn’t belong in an office and organize it where it belongs like a hook in a closet to store your workout bag and bins by your trash cans for recycles. Add a shelf system along the wall across from the desk to store giveaways and other items.

  379. You could definitely use some baskets…or even plastic tubs…just to make things look slightly organized!

  388. Briana – I cannot wait to see what you come up with. My office looked similar and now we just moved so I get a do-over. I also would suggest some storage – shelves with bins or something to help organize. I am on the hunt for them as well.

  392. I like movable organization in my office… file carts or storage w/wheels. That way important documents are at your fingertips when you need them, but they can also be neatly tucked away in a corner when you aren’t working.

  397. I would suggest some storage containers or a bookshelf with those baskets…it will hide some of the clutter.

  401. Just a simple trip to the garbage and recycling will really be a huge difference! Then add some cute shelving w/ the square cubes (IKEA or otherwise) – some for books and the other cubes can have colorful containers to hide items

  402. Phew…I am glad I am not alone! I look forward to the tips and ideas you share! I too work from home and my office is constantly in disarray. I would have to say the shelving would be my first suggestion. I have zero shelving in my office! The only thing I have been successful with in my office is my filing system. I have a file folder for everything so I always know where it is. They are grouped I. Colors, bills, financial info, education and household. Best of luck! I will be watching!! Btw, I posted your link on my Facebook page.

    Amanda

  403. First, I have to say that I sooo have you beat in the cluttered-office category! With that being said, shelves and plastic storage bins or wicker baskets would go a long way towards having more space. I am on a decluttering mission in our house, and these things are my new best friends. Good luck!

  406. My first tip would be to move all the non-office stuff out and then see what room you are left to work with. Then add some storage items.

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