Organizing the Office: Inspiring Shelves and Cabinets
Here's How to Make Your Bookcases Work as Hard as You Do
Over the weekend I mentioned those New Year's resolutions slipping away from you. Perhaps one or two of them involved keeping your home office neat and organized. It's tough to get started so I'll give you a jumping off point: shelves. You're going to have to sit down and do a little planning, and then likely have to rise to the challenge of assembling some stuff from IKEA. Here's some inspiration to help you get started:
I admit it, these cabinets and shelves are the dream. Just take a long look, take a deep breath, and be inspired by them. Most of us won't achieve this, but it's nice to dream.
Start attacking those stacks and piles that don't have a home. You're going to need a place for everything and put everything in its place. Figure out what you need to keep close at hand and what needs to go.
Consider bottom cabinets for ugly items like your printer and scanner. You can create wire holes with an electric drill.
If most of your stuff is just plain ugly, hang a modern cabinet to stash it all.
Long open shelves along an entire wall are a good option.
White shelves against a white wall to help the shelves fade into the background.
Likewise, clear glass or lucite shelves can help keep the view open to a colorful or printed wall behind it.
Remember that low shelves can serve as half-wall room dividers to mark your office area in a room in an open floor plan. Just don't let the top of the shelves become a clutter collecting spot!
If you don't have an entire room to dedicate to a home office, cabinets can transform one area to become the office space when you need it, and hide all of the clutter when you don't want to look at it.
No budget for that trip to The Container Store or the cabinetmaker? Go shopping in another room of your own house. This china cabinet works well in this home office area.
Finally, the piece de resistance. Be sure to include some of your favorite pieces of artwork and knick knacks with your books to keep your office looking snazzy.
Are you sketching out some new shelves yet? Chop chop! All you need to do is take a first step to get rolling. If you still aren't motivated, sit down and watch a "Hoarders" marathon on A&E!
More: 39 ways to organize your stuff
Are you sketching out some new shelves yet? Chop chop! All you need to do is take a first step to get rolling. If you still aren't motivated, sit down and watch a "Hoarders" marathon on A&E!
More: 39 ways to organize your stuff