It’s already difficult to keep a small space organised. It’s even more challenging when a bunch of people are trying to work in it. If you have a small office for your small business, things probably feel a little overwhelming. You need to be able to make the most of the space you’re in (at least until the lease is up), and changing the way you organise just may be the perfect solution.
1. Spread Things Out a Little
If everything is too clustered together, it’s going to get messy fast. Try to spread out work stations that have a tendency to get cluttered. The printer area and the coffee pot should probably be far enough away from each other that the mess doesn’t spread and intermingle. Make sure you keep some garbage cans close by for good measure.
2. Be Creative About Storage
If you have things you need to store, try storing them somewhere else. Packing up things you need to keep in your supply room only means you have less room for supplies. Sharing community sites like Spacer match people who need space with individuals who have spare room. It’s cheaper than traditional storage, and it helps you keep your office neat.
3. Set Up Coworking Spaces
If you have a designated coworking space, they won’t pop up all over the place. It’s easier to keep track of one particular area designated for a little bit of chaos than it is to have small clusters of them scattered all over your workplace. You can keep a cabinet for group project materials and make sure everything being worked on can stay together.
4. Store Up, Not Across
If all of your storage spans across the floor, you’re going to run out of room pretty quickly. Rather than setting up rows of short file cabinets, replace them with a few tall ones. Get shelves that run from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. It’s easier to keep things organized when you can confine them to a given area, and using the height of the room to your advantage makes it easier to focus your efforts.
5. Organize the Inside of Drawers
Desktop storage makes it harder to set up a functioning workspace. Rather than using the top of the desk, focus on keeping things neatly stored inside the drawers. Things will look neater, and you won’t have to worry about anyone knocking over a cup of pencils.
6. Go as Digital as Possible
Organizing and storing documents digitally makes it easy to stay organized. There are less stacks of paper to deal with, which reduces the potential for clutter. If everyone has access to the documents they need right from their own computers, you’ll also find that it’s easier to be productive. Less paper is also better for the environment, so everyone wins.
7. Don’t Keep Things You Don’t Need
Don’t hoard stuff just because you think you might need it later. Old computers and equipment can be donated or recycled, as can old furniture. Shred documents as soon as you’re done with them, or make digital copies in case you need them later.
Keeping your small business workplace organised will improve workflow throughout the day. Everyone can be a little more productive when the environment is right, and end-of-day cleanup goes much faster when a functioning organisational system is in place.
About the Author:
Emma Lewis is a loving mother, a devoted wife and a part of the team supporting Spacer – a company helping you find storage space whenever you need it. Emma is also a staunch supporter of the sharing economy and often mentions its benefits.
