I used to hate the idea of a home office. At my last job, I was glued to a desk all day, so when I started working from home part time, I swore I wouldn’t tie myself down again. But dragging my laptop between the dining table and the sofa wasn’t cutting it. And don’t even get me started on the cats chasing my charger cable mid-meet. That’s when I decided: it was time to give a tiny part of my bedroom a job – be my workstation.
I needed to figure out how to organize home office stuff without much space, and once I got my home office organized, everything felt more grounded.
Why I Needed a Home Office, Even Without a Full-Time Remote Job
I only work from home a couple days a week, but between that and working on my website and social media, I realized I was constantly setting up and tearing down my “office.” It wasn’t just inefficient, it was mentally exhausting. I’d start working, then have to clear the table for lunch. Or I’d get in the zone, only to be pulled out of it by a tangle of cords, missing post its, or a very interested cat.
So I carved out a small section of my bedroom and told myself: this is where work happens.
It’s tiny. But it works.
My Home Office Setup (And Why It Works for Me)
What I have now isn’t fancy, but it’s mine. Here’s how I made it work in a very small space, and how I kept my home office organized without overcomplicating it:
🪑 The Non-Negotiables
It might not seem like much, but keeping a consistently organized desk has made it easier to mentally “clock in” when I sit down.
- Dedicated Desk: Small but essential. No more sharing with dinner plates.
- Supportive Chair: Nothing fancy, just not my couch anymore.
- Window View: I’m lucky to have this. Resting my eyes on the street view is weirdly calming.
Having my home office organized, even just this one corner, changed how I show up to work.
📦 My Low-Key Home Office Organization
I don’t have drawers (yet), and shelves aren’t an option right now, but here’s what helps with basic work desk organization in a small space:
- Trash bin under the desk: For sticky notes, receipts, mystery paper piles.
- Only the essentials on my desk: Laptop, mouse, desk mat, water.
- One cable station: No more chasing chargers across the room.
It’s not Pinterest-worthy. It is functional.
What Surprised Me About Organizing My Home Office
I didn’t expect something so small to make such a big difference. Once I claimed a space and stuck to it, a few surprises popped up along the way, some good, some a bit frustrating.
- Easy win: Just having a dedicated spot instantly made work feel more structured.
- Harder than expected: Finding a desk that fit my tiny corner took some hunting.
- Nice side effect: I stopped wasting time setting up and packing away every day.
I didn’t realize how much mental clutter was tied to physical clutter until I stopped working all over the apartment.
If You’re Wondering How to Organize Your Home Office, Here’s What I’d Say
If a friend texted me today saying “how do I even begin organizing my workspace,” this is exactly what I’d send back.
- Don’t wait for the “perfect” setup. Start with a corner.
- Pick a spot that feels calm (or at least isn’t in the middle of chaos).
- Get a chair that your back will thank you for.
- Hide trash. It adds up fast.
- Keep your home desk organization minimal, only what you really use.
A few things I’m still figuring out:
- Better storage for home office stuff like notebooks or chargers
- Maybe adding shelves for home office storage someday
- A drawer unit, once I find one that fits
I didn’t follow a system or read a book on it, I just looked at what bugged me, then asked how I could fix it without making it a whole project. If you’re thinking, “Where do I start to organize my home office?”, my honest answer is: start where you are, and keep it simple.
My Current Setup vs. My Old Setup
To really show how much this tiny switch changed my day to day, here’s a quick side by side of what things looked like before and after I got my home office organized:
| Feature | Before (Dining Table) | After (Dedicated Space) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Anywhere in apartment | Small corner of the bedroom |
| Desk | Shared with meals | Small desk |
| Storage | None | Trash bin |
| Distractions | High (cats, people, moving gear) | Lower (predictable environment) |
| Setup time | 10–15 mins/day | None |
| Focus level | Scattered | Much better |
Even these small differences have made work from home days feel less chaotic and more intentional.
FAQ: Quick Answers for Anyone Organizing Their Home Office
If you’re still in the “where do I even start?” phase, here are a few questions I had, and what I learned from figuring things out:
Start like I did, with a corner. Even a small part of your bedroom can work.
Look for slim drawer units, under desk organizers, or even a pretty box you don’t mind seeing every day.
Clear everything off. Add back only what you use daily. You can add cute stuff later if you want, but start with function.
1. Use containers you already have (mugs, trays, boxes)
2. Go vertical if possible, home office storage solutions like wall hooks or clipboards can help
3. Declutter first, organization gets easier when there’s less to manage
Final Thoughts: Why Having My Home Office Organized Was Worth It
I didn’t overhaul my life or spend hundreds of euros. I just picked a corner and stuck to it.
My home office organization isn’t perfect. But now, when I sit at my desk, I feel ready for work. And that makes the effort worth it.
P.S. I don’t have pics right now, but as soon as I organize everything else around my new home office desk, I’ll share them!
