Double Duty: How To Design A Home Office Filing System That's Both Functional And Attractive
Does your current office filing system consist of a metal filing cabinet overflowing with bulging folders? Maybe you don't even have a filing system in your home office and just have stacks of papers cluttering up your desk. If your home office filing system needs a makeover, and you are willing to sacrifice a day or two on the weekend, you can design a filing system that is functional and doubles as an attractive addition to your home office.
Perform a purge.
This is the least fun part of the makeover process, and the most time consuming, but the end results will be worth it. Gather all stacks of papers and files from your filing cabinet, sort through them, and eliminate any items you no longer need. If you work from home and claim a home office deduction on taxes, you will want to follow the guidelines set forth by the IRS for how long to store specific documents.
Purchase bookcases instead of filing cabinets.
While standard metal filing cabinets work well for organizing an office, they don't offer much in the way of attractiveness. Bookcases make great filing units for a home office, and you can find a wide variety of attractive bookcases at your local furniture store.
Before you head to the furniture store to purchase your bookcases, measure one wall of your home office to determine how many bookcases to purchase. Three or more bookcases are best and will allow you room to expand your filing system in the future. Select sturdy bookcases with shelves at least 12 inches deep to accommodate standard notebooks.
Shop for supplies.
Purchase filing boxes and a variety of notebooks and peel-and-stick labels for storing your files and papers. If you prefer a neutral look in your home office, stick with notebooks and file boxes in black, gray, or white. Choose items in your favorite color to add a pop of brightness and a touch of your unique personality to your home workspace.
You may also wish to color coordinate your file boxes and notebooks to match a specific client or project. For instance, red file boxes and notebooks could be used to hold urgent items that need attention first. Green could be used to hold household bills, etc.
Finishing touches
Once your files and notebooks are labeled and in place on your bookcases, you can add a few decorative items. Small family photos, a bud vase with a single flower, inspirational wooden quotes, etc., are all great ways to add attractiveness to your system. Keep decorations simple and minimal to avoid a cluttered look.
Why settle for a plain metal filing cabinet for your home office organization needs when you can have so much more? In a matter of a day or two, you can transform your home office filing systems into an eye-appealing unit that's both attractive and functional.
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