Tips and Accessories to Organize your Office
A miniature office in a box (Baron Magazine)? A conversation starter don’t you agree, as we continue on our journey through some home offices. This office box would look really terrific on display in someone’s workplace. I am tempted to make one myself!
First though a question, are you a paper pile person? You know what I mean? That urge to keep things tidy by piling up papers, mail, notes, things, thinking that you will get to it… I know I am. Ever since I can remember I have collected all sorts of things in piles. In the kitchen, in the bedroom, on the staircase. You name it.
Source: Pinterest. Clipboard Organization. I love this and it is so easy to DIY!
I don’t know about you, but I am always organizing my home. Always looking for more space. A few inches here, a few inches there. I am always looking for a better way to arrange my storage, my dishes, my furniture even. Bust most of all, I am always looking for better ways to organize my office. After all I spend most of my time there. At first I had my professional library and binders with project information completely exposed in open bookcases. After all, that way it was easy to grab whatever I needed at a moments notice. Gradually that became a distraction rather than an advantage. Visually it was too busy. It never felt tidy and I needed my surroundings to be calm. At that point I started to look for enclosed storage: doors in wall units. Decorative boxes to store small items in. And, so on. To this day I am always looking for better, more efficient ways to get through the day so there is lots of time left over to read that book or to see that show.
It comes as no surprise then that I browse the net regularly to look for great ways to make my life more efficient. I want to share some of the things I found. You may find some inspiration as well!
Wall Storage Systems
Since I have my desk in front of a large window I do not have a wall system for notes, ideas or reminders. That is sometimes an issue. I tend to loose track if things are not within sight. A major drawback when files are stored on the computer… At the moment I am looking for a wall system that allows me to keep important things within view. Here are a few I am considering for the side walls of my office.
A collection of odd sized boxes hung closely together would provide ample space for pen holders, staplers, markers, notebooks. All neatly in one place it would free up desk top space. Paint the boxes in the wall colour and they will (almost) disappear. This would also give me at least two drawers under my desk top. But it would not alert me to deadlines.
A collection of white containers (available at Ikea) will accomplish the same. When installing such a system it is important that all containers are positioned on a straight horizontal line. This could be a bit tricky. You will have to place a tape straight on the wall or draw a horizontal line to ensure that they hang evenly. These solutions mean that you can keep your work/desk top clear of these items. Important when you have reduced your worktop size, as I have.
Design by Dorothee Becker
The unit above is another option. This plastic system is iconic! It was designed by Dorothee Becker in 1968 and brought into production in 1969 as Uten.Silo in Europe and in the US under the name Wall-All. It was and immediate and huge hit. Nothing like it had been seen before and to date it is still available and manufactured in three colours: white, red and black. Although not inexpensive, It is still a popular item and it has been copied or knocked off many times. Below is an adapted version with rectangular lines.
Source: Depto51.com
The same can be accomplished for a lot less money by using a pegboard and attaching hooks and small containers. The boards come in 1/8 and 1/4 inch hole sizes. The 1/4 inch one will give you more flexibility. Hardware for a 1/4” diameter is readily available. By using a framed pegboard style storage system you can make it as big as you want. You can attach sleek towel bars to hang magazines over or baskets from. You can attach larger pegs to hold up small shallow shelves for notebooks. The containers can store unsightly office items like staples, unused usb connectors, headphones and the like. You could also wrap elasticized bands around it and store cards, photos etc. much like the far right image below shows. A pegboard is very adaptable and you can paint it any colour you desire.
Recognize the desk below? Featured before indeed. I am showing this image again because I really like the string along the wall showcasing photos and drawings which are hung with clothespins. You could hang schedules and reminders like this as well. Really creative and so cheap.
Source: Pinterest
Desk Accessories
I want to share some really cool accessories I found. Take a look at the waste paper basket in the next image. Frees up floor space doesn’t it? You could hang it off to the side where the basket would not be a hindrance. And, what about those pennies in your pockets? Drop them in Miss Monnipenni, the solid wood with leather accents piggy bank by Siebensachen. Surely the most elegant piggy bank around!
Hector Serrano designed the ceramic City Pencil Holder below for the Italian firm Seletti. A couple of similar looking units were designed in the form of a selection of warehouses and a ship. The wood block pencil and pen holder is available through Archiproducts. It can double as an executive desk play tool (which were popular some years ago). The three base blocks can be put together in multiple configurations. Different right? Makes your worktop a fun place to spend time at.
Ever thought of lucite or acrylic trays and containers for your office paraphernalia? Take a look below how pretty these can be. I think they look so much better than your standard metal Ikea or Staples organizers. Items can be purchased at The Container Shop.
I really like the book shelf above with the sphere functioning as a book end. This piece is called Oddly. It was designed by South Korean designer Youngmin Kang. What a conversation piece! Fun, interactive and sculptural, Its clean lines are refined and modern. The wood ball moves as more books are added creating a stop. The Oddly is available in brass and iron, painted white or black. The sphere and cylinder base come in ash or walnut
‘Oddly” by Youngmin Kang
And, for the pièce de résistance….drumroll please…. here is the foot hammock. Not elegant, not refined or chic. No clean lines, but oh so functional. I can relate to this item. Can you? Available at - where else - Amazon.
Source: Amazon
