Skip to content

Top Navigation

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Food
  • Home
  • Life
  • Health
  • Money
  • Style and Beauty
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • News
  • Shop

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Real Simple

Real Simple Logo Real Simple Logo
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Best Places to Buy Vegetable Seeds Online

      Because there's never been a better time to start a vegetable garden. Read More Next
    • 7 Must-Read Books by Black Authors

      Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and prepare to dive into a new title. Read More Next
    • A Guide for How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

      There are three common ways you can measure your ring size right at home so you can finally get your ring measurement right, for good. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    9 Cheeses You Can Eat Even If You're Lactose Intolerant

    Not all dairy is created equal. 
    • Recipes
    • Real Simple Cooking School
    • Cooking Tips & Techniques
    • Shopping and Storing
    • Kitchen Tools and Products
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home

    Easy Homemade Carpet Cleaners to Tackle Every Stain

    Made with products you probably have on hand
    • Organizing
    • Cleaning
    • Decorating
    • Gardening
    • Home Improvement
    • Quick Fix
    • Real Simple Home
  • Life

    Life

    See All Life

    10 Captivating Podcasts for the True Crime-Obsessed

    If you’re hungry for stories of true crime, download any of these podcasts to get your mystery fix on the move.
    • Family
    • Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Wedding Planning
    • Travel Ideas
    • Adulting
    • Get It Done
    • Waste Less, Live Better
  • Health

    Health

    See All Health

    30 Healthiest Foods to Eat Every Day

    • Preventive Health
    • Mental Health
    • Health Coach
    • Crisis Coping
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Sleep
    • Healthy Eating
  • Money

    Money

    See All Money

    11 Small Ways You Can Help Stimulate the Economy

    Your dollars may be worth more than you realize.
    • Money Confidential Podcast
    • Saving Money
    • Money Made Simple
    • Spending
    • Money Etiquette
  • Style and Beauty

    Style and Beauty

    See All Style and Beauty
    • Clothing
    • Skincare
    • Shoes
    • Hair
    • Clothing Care
    • Makeup
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    PowerPoint Parties Are the Socially Distant Party Trend You Have to Try: Here’s How to Host One

    Presenting a new way to party together—virtually.
    • All Holidays
    • Easter
    • Gifts
    • Mother’s Day
    • Passover
    • Entertaining
    • Father’s Day
    • Home for the Holidays
    • Come Together
    • Hanukkah
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s Day
  • News
  • Shop

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • My Account
  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Free Organizing App this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Real Simple
  2. Home Organizing
  3. Organizing
  4. Home Office Organizing
  5. 21 Ideas for Organizing Your Home Office

21 Ideas for Organizing Your Home Office

By Real Simple
Updated September 13, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Marc Royce
Trying to carve out a neat space of your own? Find inspiration in these photos.
Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Convert an awkward little nook into a home office by installing sturdy shelves.

Credit: Marc Royce

1 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

You can create a home office with minimal fuss; all you need is enough work space to get your job done.

2 of 21

3 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Stow work materials in a basket below a hallway console to transform it into a desk when needed.

Credit: Paul Whicheloe

3 of 21

Advertisement

4 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

A drop-down leaf lets you instantly access―or hide away―your office.

4 of 21

5 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The home office that's there but not: A clear plastic desk and chair are unobtrusive in a bedroom.

Credit: James Baigrie

5 of 21

6 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

An armoire neatly contains what you need to work at home―including corkboard to post important reminders.

Credit: Paul Whicheloe

6 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

When you can’t devote an entire room to a home office, save space by saying good-bye to clunky desks. Opt for sturdy shelves to house your computer and keyboard.

Credit: Mark Lund

7 of 21

8 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Integrate your work area into another room―like this double-duty nursery/home office―by keeping to a consistent color scheme, pulling it together with a bold patterned piece.

Credit: Jeff McNamara

8 of 21

9 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Reclaim an unused corner by tucking in a simple desk-and-cabinet setup.

Credit: James Baigrie

9 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

When space is tight, look for multifunctional pieces: The desk has a pop-up mirror, so it can serve as a vanity; the ottomans' tops lift to provide extra storage.

Credit: James Baigrie

10 of 21

11 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

A folding screen separates you from the world, and acts as a combination gallery and inspiration board.

Credit: Monica Buck

11 of 21

12 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The most important factor in a desk chair: ample lumbar support. If your chair doesn't offer it, use a pillow.

Credit: David Prince

12 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

But a desk chair doesn't necessarily have to look as if it means business.

Credit: Paul Whicheloe

13 of 21

14 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Small details―matching storage boxes, neutral tones―bring a calm sense of order to a home work area.

Credit: James Baigrie

14 of 21

15 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Make supplies easy to grab with a pegboard that displays high-use items front and center.

Credit: Formula Z/S

15 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Old jam jars get new life as practical (and inexpensive) desk organizers.

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

16 of 21

17 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Customize a drawer to your liking with movable organizers in various sizes.

Credit: David Prince

17 of 21

18 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

A desktop tray lets you transport your work from kitchen counter to dining room table to outdoor patio.

Credit: Paul Whicheloe

18 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

A great new use for both empty cans and leftover wallpaper: pencil holders. Wash the can thoroughly, peel off the label, cut paper to fit, and secure with double-sided tape along the seam.

Credit: Ditte Isager

19 of 21

20 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Even if you don’t have a home office per se, having a designated workspace for filing away important papers and bills can help keep you organized.

Credit: Alexandra Rowley

20 of 21

21 of 21

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Your office can't spread out? Then go up: Make smart use of vertical wall space.

Credit: Tosca Radigonda

21 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Real Simple

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 21 Convert an awkward little nook into a home office by installing sturdy shelves.
2 of 21 You can create a home office with minimal fuss; all you need is enough work space to get your job done.
3 of 21 Stow work materials in a basket below a hallway console to transform it into a desk when needed.
4 of 21 A drop-down leaf lets you instantly access―or hide away―your office.
5 of 21 The home office that's there but not: A clear plastic desk and chair are unobtrusive in a bedroom.
6 of 21 An armoire neatly contains what you need to work at home―including corkboard to post important reminders.
7 of 21 When you can’t devote an entire room to a home office, save space by saying good-bye to clunky desks. Opt for sturdy shelves to house your computer and keyboard.
8 of 21 Integrate your work area into another room―like this double-duty nursery/home office―by keeping to a consistent color scheme, pulling it together with a bold patterned piece.
9 of 21 Reclaim an unused corner by tucking in a simple desk-and-cabinet setup.
10 of 21 When space is tight, look for multifunctional pieces: The desk has a pop-up mirror, so it can serve as a vanity; the ottomans' tops lift to provide extra storage.
11 of 21 A folding screen separates you from the world, and acts as a combination gallery and inspiration board.
12 of 21 The most important factor in a desk chair: ample lumbar support. If your chair doesn't offer it, use a pillow.
13 of 21 But a desk chair doesn't necessarily have to look as if it means business.
14 of 21 Small details―matching storage boxes, neutral tones―bring a calm sense of order to a home work area.
15 of 21 Make supplies easy to grab with a pegboard that displays high-use items front and center.
16 of 21 Old jam jars get new life as practical (and inexpensive) desk organizers.
17 of 21 Customize a drawer to your liking with movable organizers in various sizes.
18 of 21 A desktop tray lets you transport your work from kitchen counter to dining room table to outdoor patio.
19 of 21 A great new use for both empty cans and leftover wallpaper: pencil holders. Wash the can thoroughly, peel off the label, cut paper to fit, and secure with double-sided tape along the seam.
20 of 21 Even if you don’t have a home office per se, having a designated workspace for filing away important papers and bills can help keep you organized.
21 of 21 Your office can't spread out? Then go up: Make smart use of vertical wall space.

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Shop | Real Simple Logo

  • Desk Organizers
  • Shelves & Racks
  • Storage Bins
  • Bookcases
  • Office Chairs
  • Office Desks
  • Home Office Furniture
  • Drawer Organizers
  • Storage & Organization
  • Hanging Storage
  • Shop More Next

Real Simple may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

Real Simple Logo

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Real Simple is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.realsimple.com

View image

21 Ideas for Organizing Your Home Office
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.