Maybe it's back-to-school season that triggers me, but as the carefree days of summer wind down, I am motivated to head indoors to organize. As kids return to the classroom, there is an influx of paperwork in many households, and it is important to have a system to keep everything in order. I find that the way people arrange their home offices can make a significant difference in their ability to stay organized. All it takes is a little bit of effort and planning to create a space that is both functional and beautiful. Below, I pulled together tips from past issues of Martha Stewart Living, to give you ideas on how to get started.
1 Hanging file frames, available at most office supply stores, can be adjusted to fit inside decorative baskets.
2 Plastic file boxes are perfect for long-term storage and are water-tight. Cardboard varieties can also be used for long-term storage in a dry place.
3 Metal filing cabinets are useful for files you need to have on hand at your desk.
4 A blotter with an elastic strip is a good place to tuck your to-do list.
5 This clothespin organizer is easy to make–just attach pins to a piece of wood and mount to the wall. Pin up small items like postcards, invitations, and business cards that might get lost otherwise.
6 One of the essential elements of a home office is shelving. These shelves hold items that are not used frequently, but need to be within an arm's reach.
7 If you don't have a great deal of room, set up a home office in your bedroom, using under-the-bed space as a place to story files and supplies.
8 Kitchen drawer organizers can be painted and glued together for a custom tray to hold desk supplies.
9 Here the tray fits inside of a storage bench for a pop-up office. We used molding as rails for the tray, cork sheeting for a pin board, and adjustable rods to hang files from.
10 This idea can be used on a smaller scale too.
11 A roll down shade makes it easy to hide a workspace in an alcove.
12
13 On the wall we used a pot lid holder as a mail sorter. If you're innovative, you can find office organization items anywhere. We often look in the kitchen or at hardware stores.
14 Here, cup hooks and a drapery rod function as a place to display photos and business cards.
15 When attached to the underside of a desk, a kitchen basket is perfect for corralling cords.
16 Food covers, traditionally used for outdoor dining, can be used as a makeshift mail bin.
17 Uniformity gives any home office a sleek look.
18 Recycled paint cans make convenient cubbies for mail and office supplies.
19 Create a custom Rolodex by cutting file folders to make index dividers.
20 A recycled shoebox can be customized with a grommet and ribbon to hold mail and small papers.
21 Here, a vintage floral frog is used as a pen holder.
22 Any unit with multiple compartments is ideal for organizing a desk.
23 A recipe file can be repurposed as a card file for addresses.
24 Screw hooks and clips are an easy way to keep important papers visible.
25 Two medicine cabinets can be outfitted as a office. The doors have been fitted with metal and homasote covered in linen to make a pin board and magnet board. Inside, files and supplies are stored.
26 The back of this bookshelf is also fitted with homasote covered in linen for a tucked away pin board.
27 Labeling files and bins is a great way to save time. This way you don't have open up each bin.
28 This pin board features pockets for supplies, papers, and other important items.
29 The pockets were sewn onto the fabric that lines the pin board.
30 Create a home office in a formal dining room that is only used a few times a year, but utilizing the drawers of a hutch or china cabinet.
31 Here, everything you need is tucked away.
32 Supplies can be organized in an extra drawer. This one is designed to hold silverware.
33 Storage under a window bench is an idea place to store files.
34 Adding casters to a file basket makes your work space mobile.
35 A secretary desk is perfect for a narrow hallway, as you can fold up your work space when it is not in use.
36 Here is a look at the desk in use.
37 This is such a great use of a small space.
38 Tension rods can serve as file dividers.
39 To maximize your storage, use space below the drop down desk for fills and a waste bin.
40 This dual workspace has plenty of drawers and cabinets to help you keep things tidy.
41 Kitchen cabinets that flip up, instead of out, make contents easy to access.
42 A cart outfitted with casters is a great place to house supplies.
43 Cubbies are another storage option if you are comfortable with having your items in plain sight.
44 Compartmentalized boxes can hold a variety of supplies.
45 A paper shredder is another great tool, essential to any organized home office.
46 Labeling computer and other electrical cords with small tags is a smart idea.
47 (Martha Stewart Living, November 1998)
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Cynthia | 8/18/11 at 8:13 am
So pleasing to the eyes!!! Makes me want to clean out my desk and buy a bouquet of "freshly sharpened pencils." (From "You've Got Mail")
From: Alex Sand | 8/22/11 at 12:45 pm
What great ideas. I love using the storage bench for files, much more attractive than a filing cabinet.
From: Sarah | 8/23/11 at 3:16 am
I have a dining room/home office space but my office stuff is always on display - great ideas here.
From: Plumbers in Costa Mesa | 2/23/12 at 5:54 am
These are great ideas. All the photos are beautiful. Thanks for these ideas.
From: Sean | 5/25/12 at 7:26 am
Kevin - Great ideas on ways to get better organized. These also look great and fit the style of the rooms very well.
From: Home | 6/25/12 at 10:54 pm
Such nice and simple designs!
From: Robert | 9/19/12 at 2:53 pm
I love the office desk and shelf. I am getting ready for an office renovation and there are just too many great looking spaces on the internet.
From: Getting Organized | marie rae vie | 1/7/13 at 12:18 am
[...] I absolutely love the dual storage and seating solution found with this bench filing Cabinet from Martha Stewart. [...]
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[...] Vía, vía, vía [...]