Ever wonder where the inspiration for my blog begins? If you’ve pictured my workspace as a clean, zen-like area which helps to get my creative juices flowing, I’m about to out myself. Specifically, I’m about to out my home office.
It’s a dump.
The room is nice enough; a 10 x 10-feet fourth bedroom that we use as a study for obvious reasons (er, we only have two children). But it’s also a place where I hoard useless papers and junk mail; random blogging artifacts that I meant to review six months ago; a pile of coffee cups that is normally cleared by my husband once a day, and a plethora of arts and crafts paraphernalia from my scrapbooking addiction circa 2008.
Not. Very. Inspiring.
And now… I can’t believe I’m doing this… here’s a picture of the shambles that I work in. (Sorry, Mom – it’s true, I haven’t dusted my desk in oh, never.) Yes, there’s clutter everywhere – especially in places that should have been cleaned weeks ago. On the bright side – I just found the USB cable I was looking for – apparently, it was under my desk and by my feet the whole time.
Okay, time for a closer inspection. Now you can tell that my office chair has seen better days, but truth be told, my faithful “executive” chair held up pretty well until last year, when it took a turn for the worse. My husband has been after me for months to find a replacement, but since I always believed that a ratty chair did not impact my ability to produce blog posts, I’ve always rebuked him. However, I could be wrong – A recent survey commissioned by Staples Canada and AIR MILES revealed that an overwhelming 83% of Canadians agree that a cluttered or disorganized workspace negatively affects levels of productivity. Despite this fact, 26% of Canadians describe their own desk as cluttered. Is your workspace a dump too? Join the club!
Well, speaking of clutter, have I offended you with the makeshift IKEA table that I call a desk? It’s pretty much covered with useless stuff. The boys will come in and drop off a toy car – it stays there until they take it away. Papers, pens, personal effects – why is there a garbage pail on top of my desk? Oh right – it was to keep it away from the boys. I think. I’m staring at it as I type this right now… contemplating putting it back on the floor. Huh.
Wires and cords galore, my study has “fire hazard” written all over it. Of course, they’re needed to keep my dinosaur Dell desktop computer going… baby, it’s been a great 7 years, but it’s time to go wireless. If I have to untangle one more computer cord, I swear I will implode.
So the thing is, I own a shredder… but I also own a lot of useless paper junk that could use a good shredding. I’ve got a green bin filled with cables and plugs for electronic gadgets I’ve long since misplaced. How long has that Snoopy stuffed animal been in my office? I swear I’m just noticing it for the first time. (In related news, my kid owns a Snoopy stuffed animal?)
Peek-a-boo! I see you! I was looking for my Ultrabook – found it under a couple of colouring sheets. Good thing, too – I was beginning to think I lost it. Turns out it has been sitting on top of my desk right beside me… every day for at least 5 weeks. Right!
So it’s pretty obvious I need help… and it’s Staples Canada to the rescue! To celebrate their NEW National Partnership with The AIR MILES Reward Program – and their De-Clutter and Prosper Campaign – Staples Canada is giving my workspace a makeover. Yes! You heard it here first – I shall no longer blog from a cluttered wreck. I spent the weekend picking out a new desk, a new chair (obviously!) and some gorgeous Martha Stewart Home Office products. Now, I can’t wait to see if a new, streamlined office space makes for a more productive Lena. Fingers crossed!
Stay tuned for my big redo – and a sweet contest for my readers too! Trust me, you won’t want to miss it. In the meantime, here are simple tips from Organizational Expert and Interior Designer Lucie Pitt for maximizing your workspace without breaking the bank:
1. Clear Out! – Clearing space on your desk will send calming messages to your brain and help you work more efficiently. When faced with heaps of files, start with a desk-top solution like a Martha Stewart Stack + Fit Desk Organizer, found exclusively at Staples. The various components are easy to customize to meet your needs. And, wall-mounted message boards and calendars now come in fun and funky styles, so deadlines and reminders can be front and centre. Wall Pops Message Boards and Calendars are convenient options that cling – no hammer required!
2. From the Desk to the Floor – A floor lamp not only saves space on your desk, but provides a nice homey feel to your office environment with soft lighting. Staples has a variety of floor lamps that still mean business while shedding light on the new, organized you.
3. Get Your Technology in Order – Adding a monitor riser is an easy way to gain extra space and help your body too. Elevating the monitor helps to improve posture while creating a handy little spot to tuck away small items. And consider a sleek charging station for all your gadgets, like the Belken Conserve Valet. It offers multiple docks, so in addition to being fully charged, your gadgets will be neatly organized and easy-to-find.
4. File or Shred. Don’t Pile and Dread – Invest in a small, two drawer filing cabinet on wheels and tuck it away when not in use. And if you don’t need to file something… don’t! Have a shredder on hand to get rid of sensitive documents or use Staples in-store shredding service available in their Copy and Print Centre.
5. Save Space for Your Personality – “A tidy desk doesn’t have to be devoid of personality,” says Pitt. “The easiest way to bring a bit of yourself to your space is through photographs in clear frames to keep the lines clean.” You can also spruce up your space with funky file folders, available in a variety of patterns and colours.
Do you work in a cluttered space? Is it time to De-Clutter and Prosper? Stay tuned for my big reveal!
Hey Lena, I think I have the EXACT SAME “executive” chair! IKEA, right? I can’t wait for your big reveal! I’m hoping it will motivate me to do the same because I’m definitely amongst the 26% of Canadians with a cluttered desk. It’s definitely a Pile and Dread situation right now! LOL
Hahaha YES! It’s about 6 or 7 years old now, and as you can see – time to go!
Lee, clean up!
I’m trying to! Furniture arrives tomorrow – guess who has to put it together? ;)
Gasp! Hah! I LITERALLY gasped when I saw your thread bare chair! I very much think you are in need of an office make over :-)
VERY much looking forward to seeing what I know will be a Lena worthy stylish office after photo!
Thanks Suzie! I literally walk into my study half asleep every morning at 5:45am… so I never really pay attention to the state of my workspace, It is abysmal!!! I definitely need a Lena-worthy stylish office!
haha….lol, oh this is funny! Get a new chair girlfriend!! You look so put together, but your secret is out! You have a messy office….I love it!!
Hahaha I’m out of the closet! I desperately need a new chair. And a vacuum, obviously. Furniture is arriving tomorrow!
I can’t wait to see the makeover!! Maybe I’ll get some much needed inspiration and motivation to de-clutter my own workspace!
I hope so Victoria! I think that most of us just don’t see the clutter after a while – take a picture, you may be shocked at what you see! (In my case, I still can’t figure out how or why that Snoopy stuffed animal is on my floor!)
Oh dear. You know, I have a few areas of my house that look just like this. See I’m the organizer and hubby is the “I don’t know how to throw anything away and therefore will just tidy up for company by grabbing what is visible and shoving it into the nearest closet, drawer, empty room, etc.” person. So now our basement is nearly over taken by STUFF. I don’t exactly know what is down there because I am scared to start to look! Gah!
Hahaha sounds like your hubby and I would get along famously. I honestly don’t see the clutter anymore! I need help!
My desk top is horrible right now. I have a huge desk 5ft x 3ft and everything gets put on it. I have not looked behind the desk to see the wiring mess in years and I don’t want to. My chair looked liked yours last year but I got a new one from Staple’s last year, it is so much more comfortable than my old one was. I have run out of room in my 2 drawer filing cabinet and so will be looking online at Staple’s for a 4 drawer one. It’s going to be great to see your updated office.
Thanks Debbie – I can’t wait to start all over. I definitely need a re-do and spring is the perfect time to start fresh!
I let my desk get stupidly messy. Then I cant stand it anymore so it gets tidied up. Then it happens again. I just went to Staples to get everything I need to get organized! I cannot wait!
So awesome Alisha! They have such amazing stuff to get organized – I feel like a kid in a candy store when I’m there.
lol your office isn’t “that” bad! I can relate with all of the stacks of paper laying everywhere unfortunately! I do need to de clutter though!
I think everyone should de-clutter this spring – it’s better to start off a new season by throwing away the clutter from last season! (Or in my case, 6 seasons.)
hah oh dear! your executive chair looks way better than mine, let me tell you that!
OH NO! I swear I thought I had the worst chair in the world – sounds like you need an upgrade too!
Cant wait to see your made over office! Mine is a bit ‘busy’ as I need more storage for all the nail products that have been taking over my desk.
Lots of nail products is not necessarily a bad thing – but I can see how they can take over a desk space!
I love that you outed yourself! And believe me your workspace is no messier than mine, it looks like you’re completely normal, not like others who make us think it’s sunshine and roses all the time! Looking forward to your big reveal!
Hahaha thanks Carlee – yup, normal as normal can be over here!
Thank goodness for this post…as I lay in bed with my laptop thinking about all of the work that waits for me outside of this room!! I can’t wait to see what your office looks like after the redo!
Thanks Teresa! I just occurred to me that after the furniture arrives, I’ll actually have to straighten up! Should be an interesting week!
My desk is kind of cluttered to LOL!
Happy I’m not the only one!
I have a very cluttered desk too and I can’t wait to see the new look of your study. Hopefully, it will motivate me to follow in your foot steps and get more organized!
That’s awesome Marissa – I’ll do my best to knock your socks off and motivate you!
Oh how I wish I had an office room..or even just a desk area. My paperwork needs some serious TLC and organization. That is my goal for before the baby comes. I have boxes of papers that need to be organized..some even have flyers from years ago :S
Flyers from years ago! Mandy – the sale is OVER, LOL! I think cleaning before baby arrives would be very therapeutic – go for it!
My workspace at home is no longer in use. Ever since I got a laptop, I no longer need my cpu desk. So it’s just being used as an extra table to hold other stuff that I haven’t been able to find a place for yet. I don’t know what to do with my chair either. Anyways, looking forward to the reveal of your new office
I hear you Myra. It seems that every place that I don’t use just ends up being taken over with stuff. It’s very messy and I hate it!
Are you sure this isn’t a picture of my home office? I can definitely relate Lena! Excited for your reveal, and to see which items you selected from Staples. Love your taste in decor and I’m sure it will look incredible.
Thanks Jenny! They have such a great selection – the possibilities are endless!
I’m too lazy to use an office.. I sit my butt on the sofa in front of the big screen and I place my laptop on one of those plastic table mates. I am going to have to get a little spot for the printer and stuff at some point but I’m trying to figure out where to put it..
Ah, you arrangement actually sounds better than my little dump! Though I am curious where you’d put that printer!
Oh no – your poor chair! My office is a disaster too. I have shelves and tables FULL of props for party photos, 2 old computers on the floor that I’m pretty sure don’t work anymore and piles of cat hair on everything (no wonder why I’m always sneezing!). I had a good chuckle about your coffee cups that your husband clears out because my husband sneaks in here every day to grab my water cups as well. Can’t wait to see the “After” pictures! I’m sure it will inspire me to clean up own area as well.
I’m so happy to hear that I’m not the only one who collects cups! Yay for our husbands who clean up after us!
Yep, you definitely need (and deserve!) an upgrade! Can’t wait to see the after pics! :)
Thanks Nicole! Spending the morning weeding through the all the mess, I have no idea why I’m holding on to so much “stuff”!
You definitely need that office makeover…our computer desk is in our dining room so my ocd husband is fanatical about keeping it clean. I am working on getting on top of our paper overload too…
Hahaha, I too have a computer desk in my dining room – my second office – but sadly, it’s a little cluttered too! Though that room is cleaned when people come over, LOL
Oh your office looks good compared to mine, paper piles to do lists, I have a cork board but the papers on somewhere in the pile, I use to be so organized but the way life is right now it’s not getting done and drives me insane!
I have about 30 to-do lists circulating around, so I know how you feel. Drives me nuts too!
I really want to see the MS stack and fit desk organizer….my iPad is making me enter one zip code number at a time and then gets upset because I’m US….harrumph! Would you please use one of those in the project so I can be super jealous instead of just a little jealous? You know I like to commit to things 110%!
Ah, I’ll see what I can do for you Judy! And yes, I know exactly how you feel!
High fives for outing yourself, my study is just as messy if not more and I love Staples too. Keep waiting for the Martha Stewart line to go on sale. Can’t wait to see the after pictures.
Thanks Daria – I know what you mean about waiting for Martha to go on sale. The pieces are gorgeous, but they can really add up!
Love Staples! I’m moving into a new condo in May and they deliver for free over $50 so I’m having all my entire office delivered to me. Excited to see your makeover, you deserve it!
That’s amazing Alexandra, so happy for you! Enjoy your new office and Staples goodies!
Nice chair – not! LMAO Lena, you need a new chair!!! Nice that Staples stepped in. I know that you will pick the best things and we’ll all run out and buy it cause you’re awesome!!
Hahaha I know I do. I will try my best to make it spectacular!
I bet there are far worse office spaces! At least the walls are what looks to be a cheery colour. Have fun with the re-do. I sit at my diningroom table so I can’t hide a mess by shutting the door…
Thanks Rhonda! Actually the walls are a grayish-blue… so not terribly cheery… but very office-y!
The chair has to go. Otherwise, I don’t think it is too bad! I am also dealing with what can only be described to a child size desk!
Hahaha it’s pretty bad! Way too much clutter for me to handle!
I don’t have my own home office. I use the end of the dining room table and it looks just as bad!
Ah.. I do the same thing! So I guess you could say I have two messy areas :)
Oh those Martha Stewart accessories make me all swoony – can’t wait to see your new office!
Thanks Karina! I loaded up on those swoony Martha Stewart accessories :)
Haha! The pic of your chair made me burst out loud. Glad to see you are human too :)
But of course! I only play a superhero on TV :)
I can’t believe your chair… lol Lena!
:) Busted, I know! The good news is that it’s officially gone!
My desk is a mess! It’s become a catch all for everything making it very difficult to do work on. In fact I think I’ll go clean it off now so I can work on my two papers. My kitchen table is just as bad! I could use some more organization!
Happy that I inspired you to do some spring cleaning too!
Yeah Lena, At least your chair had a little cushioning be it as it may. I am using my husbands wooden Banking chair from his high school years. But then I have to add two pillows so that I am high enough to reach my keyboard and see into my monitor. And my desk…my daughter’s from HER high school days.
When I started my own at home business, I kind of envisioned the decor of a major CEO office ..mahogany desk,, matching file cabinets..no cords and a chair that I could recline back in while I savored my success at launching yet another website. I have the dream office space..the loft in our timber frame home but the rest…leaves a lot to be desired.
The office furniture section in staples…pure eye candy!
Hahaha I think we had the same “CEO” dream Patti!!
That’s so funny- I have the same chair! Not in quite *that* bad of shape, but close. It also usually has a layer or two of tape on it, because my 5 year old thinks that’s funny. Ah, to have the magazine inspired offices we all so deserve!
Ah Sara – in time, your chair may look like mine!
Looking forward to the reveal and can identify with your office…mine has my sewing machine and plastic file holder, a big chair which is very uncomfortable…from Ikea too.
A sewing machine in our home office? You’re officially the coolest CEO! LOL
Gosh – I didn’t think your office space was a disaster at all!! lol. You can see the top of your desk!! My desk is the family dumping grounds (and where I attempt to keep everything “organized.”). I have about a foot thick of stuff and paperwork and dishes and books, and more stuff covering every inch of the desk surface. Oy.
Oy… I think if I had a foot-thick of paperwork I’d just dump the whole works in the garbage and start over! Good luck with your de-cluttering!
Great tips thanks!
Hi Lena
I agree with Lisa Maria who says she didn’t find your office a disaster. It really isn’t. You’ve got space which is a luxury so organizing this shouldn’t take any time at all. A filing cabinet and a couple of file crates and you’re good to go. But good luck anyway!