Office Spaces that are functional and not-so functional - tips, advice

 

If this is all you have, then sure, why not buy this desk and if you don't plan on sitting for long, well not a bad chair.  However, we know better even though this makes for a great photo, there is no storage on top of the desk for something as simple as a pencil and definitely no comfy cushion for a sore rear-end.

Although this office space is quite modern, looks clean, well lit, evenly spaced and organized, there is a huge problem, it wouldn't be welcoming to most people who have endured so much due to COVID.  Nowadays companies will need to put more thought and money into physically organizing the bodies of people.  No more piling people up in a room and allowing employees to cough and breathe on one another especially when they are ill.  In this photograph, every other row of desks would need to be removed or spaced out further apart.  A partition between each desk and masks on if visiting one's neighbor.  A sanitation station nearby and a temperature check would have to be taken before any of the employees even set foot in the room!

We know who works here!  What is great about this workspace is it illustrates one's personality well.  Does yours say who you are?  I thought the wheels were interesting at the feet of the desk.  The floor plan is quite simple with useful items nearby and neatly arranged.  However, it is safe to assume that this individual doesn't spend many hours in this room, once again an uncomfortable chair is in view and the space is not set up near any sort of window view.  When you have a room that has no view, so that you don't go mad, you will need to decorate your walls and have music ready to play like this person has done.

Here we have a simple office space, but the first thing that jumped out at me was the wiring--ugh!  On this blog, I have tips about what to do with wiring.  I like the small desktop drawers for the user's convenience and the one's underneath the desk.  I assume that this person may periodically work on electronics at this desk.  The stool is another uncomfortable chair which would require frequent breaks.  This might work for some who just don't know how to take breaks.  If you are like that, you may want to replace an uncomfortable chair with a not-so comfortable one.

What you just viewed are just some examples around the web of people's office spaces.  When you think of adding some final touches to your own home space consider what you still might need to make the best use out of your work space.  Maybe it is something to organize the little things you use for the top of your desk.  You might need a better office chair.  You may be worried about getting sick at work because your company is not really doing all they could to keep you and your coworkers safe.  Whatever might be a concern, make plans to address.  

Check out other useful articles on this blog:

Organizing Around Appliances, Unsightly Equipment, and Other Things that Ruin Decor

 Apartment Moving

Hoarding Again? Do You Just Have Too Much Stuff?

Nicholl McGuire is the owner and contributor of this blog.  Check out, What Else Can I Do on the Internet? for other inspirational things to help organize your life!

Organize Cables, Cords & Wires

How to Organize Cables, Cords and Wires

How to Clean Up the Wiring Clutter Under Your Desk

Organizing Around Appliances, Unsightly Equipment, and Other Things that Ruin Decor

After spending time thinking about a cluttered basement, a family room, and a kitchen area with all sorts of appliances, piping, wiring, and other odd shaped things, I thought of how to best cover up some of these items.  When you know you are not in a position to remove needed items, you have to be creative.  Take a moment to think of the theme you are trying to create and the colors you would like to see.


Remove all items that are not being used or are no longer useful.  Do away with rusted, broken or outdated tools and furniture.  Update old shelves and cabinets if necessary since they make the best use of space.  Be sure the items you select will match well with existing items.  Arrange the appliances, equipment and other items that will give you the most room to maneuver. 


1.  Overhead pipes can be covered up with drop-ceiling tiles but if you don't have the money or time, think of making them a part of your design.  Think of restaurants, cafes, and other businesses that have exposed overhead piping.  Consider what they did to make their ceiling areas more artsy.  For creative tips, purchase a book about how to finish ceilings.


2.  Wiring can be tucked away neatly behind or in something.  Look at your atmosphere and consider placing the items behind an appliance, shelf, or purchase decorative cord covers found in most stores' home improvement departments.


3.  Create a wall to store unsightly items.  You can section off an area and place most unsightly items behind a decorative curtain wall or drywall.  You can also use your better looking items to create a wall.  For instance, tall shelf units with backings make great walls.  You can place items you don't want exposed behind them.


4. Compartmentalize small items.  Notice the many lose items that don't have a home yet.  What do you have that is already taking up space that you rarely use?  Get rid of that and use containers to put smaller things in and store on shelves or in cabinets.  Be sure the containers you select capture the style you are trying to create.  There are decorative boxes, old luggage, open bins, small stackable shelves, and other things that make the atmosphere less cluttered and more appealing.  Use the top of existing appliances to stack small shelf units; therefore giving you additional space to store items.


5.  A sink area is usually left open but if you must hide it, then you can use a wood plank and a cloth draped over it.  This area can double as a shelf or workspace if the plank is nicely designed.  You can place pretty items on top.  If you don't want to cover it, you might use it like a planter and keep your beautiful flowers in it while guests are over.  However, if the sink is used to catch the water from a washing machine and you plan on washing, hold off on that idea until your laundry is done.


6.  A refrigerator or freezer can be enhanced by adding hooks with magnets that can hold useful items.  They can be decorated with photos that sit behind magnet frames and other art making them less boring to view.  Cover the appliances up for special occasions with festive table cloths or gift wrap them making them appear like giant gifts.  Of course you will have to design them in such a way that you can open them.


7.  Washing machines and dryers are usually tucked away in their own room, but if you can't do this, try covering them up when not in use with colors that match your atmosphere. 


8.  When a stove isn't in use, burner covers add appeal to it.  Small appliance covers with modern designs look nice as well.  Rather than walking into a kitchen area viewing various gadgets, a person will see artwork.  Don't over do it and do try to make the colors fit together.


9.  Cabinets can also be decorated as well.  But don't use any harsh tape or glue or else the finish will come off.


10.  Ugly floors can be covered with carpeting or throw rugs.


With so many items and possibly so little time, do keep your best items in view and hide the unattractive ones or remove them altogether.  Take some time and view videos that will inspire you to enhance the look of your environment.  There are plenty on this site.  Also, walk the home organization sections of stores to see what the latest inventions are that can help you.  Check out art and craft stores.  Lastly, read books/magazines on home design to enhance your creativity.


Nicholl McGuire

Kitchen Organizers that Clear Cabinet Clutter

Are you tired of searching your kitchen cabinets and not being able to find anything? When you open a cabinet, are you flooded by an avalanche of cans, pans, or spices? These are some of the signs that tell you it’s time to organize your kitchen cabinets. The good news is that there are numerous solutions to help you address this problem.

Let’s start with the cabinets where you keep food, canned items, foils, wraps, and similar items. Get those cans out of the way with a three-tier can rack shelf that can hold up to 60 cans. It has an angled roll down rack — so when you remove one can, another rolls down to take its place.

Organize your plastic wrap, wax paper, aluminum foil, and freezer bags with an under shelf wrap wrack. This item clips to the underside of your cabinet shelf to keep all of these items in one place. You can also turn your shelf into a dual-level storage area with an additional kitchen cabinet drawer. With a drawer that slides out from underneath a wire shelf, this simple storage device doubles your cabinet space.

Okay, now it’s time to tackle the cabinets underneath your kitchen sink. You probably have sponges, cleaners, brushes, and other cleaning products scattered about in there. One thing that can help is a set of under sink sliding drawers, which are large enough to hold bottles, spray cans, and boxes as well as brushes and sponges.

If you want a storage system that perfectly fits your cabinet space, you should opt for an expandable under sink shelf. This shelving system has five removable rungs on each side, which allow you to customize the shelf to suit your specific storage area. You can also position the shelving trays to fit around your sink’s drainpipe if necessary.

You can’t forget about your pots and pans, which can swallow up cabinet space in a hurry. First, use a pot lid holder to organize the multiple lids you use to cover your pots and pans. This rack mounts to the inside of your cabinet door and holds up to five pot lids.

For more convenient access to your cookware, try an expandable chrome kitchen shelf. This product features a shelf that slides forward to make it easier to retrieve your pots and pans without digging through the back of a cabinet. If you want a storage system with flair, look for a Pan Tree (no, not a pantry)! This cylindrical plastic storage rack, which requires no tools for assembly, can organize up to 14 pieces of cookware so they are always within easy reach.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find the spice or seasoning you want quickly and easily? There are several spice storage solutions for you to choose from. Use a wire 3 tier spice rack to store seasoning containers on the inside wall of your cabinet. If you need something a bit less bulky, you can choose a spice clip set, featuring rows of plastic clips affixed to your cabinet wall to keep spices organized and uncluttered. Or you can select a more complete spice storage system like a spice stack. This three-tiered storage device holds up to sixty spices horizontally — but each shelf slides out and pivots downward for easy display and retrieval of all your seasonings.

Finally, let’s move over to the cabinets where you store your dishes and glassware. Again, there are lots of solutions that can help you get the most out of your storage space allotted for these items. Keep your wine, martini, and other drink glasses safe with either a stemware rack or a large stemware holder. Both of these racks are made of sturdy metal wiring with a chrome finish, and they mount easily to the top of the inside of any cabinet.

Instead of trying to stack your coffee mugs and risk breakage if the piles collapse, you should install a handy pull out mug caddy in your cabinet. This rack, which mounts to the underside of your cabinet shelf, has hooks for eight mugs and slides forward for easy access to all of them.

All of these creative, space-saving products will vastly improve your kitchen storage situation. Now you can save time by finding exactly what you need without rooting through all your cabinets looking for that can, pan, or spice. Not only will these organizers keep your items from falling out when you open cabinet doors, but they will also keep your kitchen looking clean and tidy.

Chris Martin is a freelance writer who writes about kitchen organizers.