Home Office: Paperwork

One of the biggest problems when it comes to organizing is what to do with all the paper that accumulates. Bills, invoices, receipts—it usually all ends up in a pile somewhere, often on top of the desk.

Electronic communication makes it possible to eliminate some paperwork. Bills are paid online, email replaces paper letters. And yet it never quite seems to all go away.

Here's how I control the clutter in my home office. I have a filing cart that also holds my printer/fax/scanner:

The files are labeled (color coding might work better for people who are very visual) and alphabetized. Most of what's in there is personal papers—household info, vet records, receipts, that kind of thing. I try to take something out when I put something new in, but some of the folders don't get cleaned out nearly often enough, so every few months I go through it and purge old receipts and what not.

Work-related papers and tax info are kept on this unit, easily reachable from my desk:

The pink folder holds tax receipts, and the file box on the bottom shelf contains invoices and such from jobs that I've done. I also have dictionaries and style books at arm's length, but these days I mainly use online tools to look up words.

I keep some other, less-often-used reference books on another book shelf:

There's no closet in the office, but we have big closet off the kitchen where I keep printer paper and other office supplies. I want to get a Stockholm box (or two) from the Container Store to keep paper and printer refills close by, but for now it works fine.

Houzz has tips (and lots of eye candy) for creating a paperless home office, but I'm not quite ready for that yet.

How do you organize your workspace?

Home Office: Organization

When it comes to organizing, there are generally two kinds of people: Those who like to see all their stuff and those who like to keep everything tucked away. I'd have to say I fall somewhere in between. I like to have things I don't use often or that are unsightly stowed behind closed doors (or drawers), but things I use regularly I like to keep within arm's reach.

So as part of my occasional series on working from home, I thought I'd pull together some inspirational office storage.

These beautifully styled shelves hold books and storage boxes full of office supplies, along with a little eye candy to lift your spirits on rough day:

Apartment Therapy

The Art of Doing Stuff

Better Homes and Gardens

Sectioning off a drawer and labeling everything makes it that much easier to put things back where they belong at then end of a long day:

Better Homes and Gardens

I have my eye on the pink Stockholm flat storage box for keeping printer paper neat and handy:

The Container Store

 I love this idea for hiding those ugly power strips—and I'll bet it would pretty easy to DIY one.

Bluelounge Design

How do you keep your office tidy?

Spring Cleaning

By f_trudeau

Have you started your spring cleaning yet? We've done a few things (there's nothing like having company over to motivate me to scrub the house!). We shampooed the carpets (although it wouldn't hurt to do that again, what with three dogs and all). I cleaned walls, cabinet door and baseboards. I also cleaned the grout on the countertops. And we hosed off the front porch and back patio and planted the vegetable garden.

There are still some things on my our to-do list:

• Clean out the garage
• Scrub the grout on the floors
• Clean windows

To help us all out with those backbreaking chores, I've rounded up a few spring cleaning posts that I hope you'll find helpful:

• Clean your kitchen with help from this Houzz gallery.
• This fantastic post from the kids at Young House Love details all-natural homemade cleaners.
• Organized Home offers a spring cleaning checklist.
• For those of you who can't bear to put down your iPhone, even when you're cleaning, there's an app for that.

Do you have any cleaning tips? Share them!

Tray Display

The beauty of a tray isn't just in the materials it's made from but in the way it can elevate even ordinary things. Corralling items gives them purpose and style, and keeps piles from looking like clutter.

I have trays in nearly nearly every room of our home, holding everything from the makings of a cocktail to perfumes, magazines and even my husband's cell phone.

Of course trays can hold food, but there's so much more they can do. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

From the Right Bank via Houzz

Glitter Guide

Martha Stewart Living via A Lovely Being

Breakfast at Toast

Via Arianna Belle Organized Interiors

Making it Lovely

Do you use trays in your decor?

Under Wraps

While I enjoy wrapping gifts, I hate having to track down everything I need from all over the house. I have a cardboard gift wrap organizer that's held up quite well over the years, but I've long since outgrown it. Wrapping paper, ribbons and gift boxes have taken over one closet. It's time to pare down and reorganize.


Wouldn't you love to have this setup?

Better Homes and Gardens

If you don't have room for that beauty, how about this:

                                                          Source: 33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com via Pam on Pinterest

It's more compact and looks easy enough to create. I also love the picture frame treatment—so polished!

Using the back of a closet door to store supplies is a great idea. It's easy to reach and, with some creativity, you can keep everything in one compact space.

                                                       Source: fabulousorganization.wordpress.com via Melinda on Pinterest

                                                                    Source: theinspiredroom.net via Sharon on Pinterest

Or a small cabinet and pizza boxes—yes, pizza boxes!

                                                              Source: giverslog.com via Heather on Pinterest

How do you store wrapping supplies?

Travel Plans

Thanksgiving is almost here, and with it comes the beginning of the holiday travel season. I'll be sticking close to home this year, but I'm sure many of you out there will be visiting family and friends in far-flung places.

For those as obsessed with organizing as I am (and particularly for those who aren't!), I thought I'd share a packing and travel checklist that I created for our trip to Vegas. Although I love my online calendar, when it comes to lists, I prefer paper and pen.

Pretty cute, I think. And useful.

Here's a comprehensive packing list for those planing a trip abroad. This blog post has great tips on packing for vacation. And for those who'd rather plan electronically, there's an app (or two) for that. Happy packing!

In the Closet

I had grand ideas about remaking my closet. I took measurements, weeded out the old, tidied what was left, bought supplies. But it still looks like an ordinary closet, not the so-beautiful-I'd-throw-a-party-in-there space I was envisioning.

It's generous in size—about 17 feet from end to end—and holds not only all our clothes (well, most of them—I also have a dresser in the bedroom) but some extra furniture and other things we want to store. My clothes are organized by type and color, and my shoes are easy to find. It just lacks pizzazz:

I like the jewelry storage I've incorporated (and as a bonus, I actually wear necklaces more now that I can easily see them):

And the pinboards where I keep inspiration close at hand:

But lately I've found the epitome of luxury to be a closet with a window. I realize it's not terribly practical; sunlight can damage clothing, after all. But the heart wants what the heart wants!