7 Things Organizers Want You to Throw out in Your Home Office ASAP
If there's one spot in the house that would benefit from a decluttering session, it's the home office. Not only does a mess-free office look better, it can also increase work productivity. However, cleaning up this space is easier said than done, according to pro organizers.
"Home offices can be one of the most cluttered spots in the house," says Tracy McCubbin, founder of dClutterfly. "This is partly due to the fact that when people are in their offices, they're focused on work and not clutter. Then, once they clock off for the day, they don’t want to go back in and declutter."
While gaining the motivation to get back in there after a long day of work can be a challenge, we're here to make it a bit easier. Below, professional organizers share the top things to throw out ASAP for a decluttered, stress-free work space.
Old Papers, Manuals and Tax Files
Let's face it, we've all saved an old computer manual or two 'just in case' we might desperately need it at some point in the future. However, that day never seems to come, and before you know it, there's an ever-growing pile of manuals in a drawer or on your desk that hasn't been touched for years.
Organizers agree that old papers — including manuals and tax files you no longer need — should be the first to go.
"If it can be found online or hasn’t been referenced in the last year, it’s time to part ways. That printer manual from 2014 isn’t exactly a collector’s item," says Jennifer Johnson of The Orderly Space.
Outdated Electronics
If you find yourself surrounded by technology that no longer serves you, assess what you really need on a day-to-day basis. Maybe you've abandoned your monitor and only use your laptop now or maybe you're holding onto a bulky mouse and keyboard you've since replaced — regardless of what it is, chances are it should be recycled.
"So many offices are clogged with outdated electronics. Machines we used but don’t use anymore — monitors, cassette players, typewriters — don’t serve a purpose and are taking up valuable real estate," says McCubbin.
Random Cords
Collecting random cords and cables without even realizing you're doing it is not uncommon. Everyone seems to have that one drawer filled with a bunch of useless wires they're too afraid to throw away — but they're often doing more harm than good.
"Cables and chargers that don't match current devices only create confusion, not convenience," says Beata Kozlowski of Tidy Step by Step.
If you're holding on to them because you think you might need one of them one day, McCubbin has some advice: "I can guarantee you that if (and that’s a BIG if) you find the machine that needs that mystery cord, you'll be able to buy a new one cheap off eBay."
Dried Markers and Pens
This one might seem pretty simple, but we've all held onto dried-out pens and markers because we're too lazy to actually sort through them. Avoid the future frustration of picking up a pen that doesn't work by getting ahead of the game.
"Test them, toss the ones that don’t work and keep only what you truly need," says Johnson.
Excess Office Supplies
There's no reason to stock up on items you rarely use. While you might think you need a huge pile of binder clips, you'd be surprised how far just a couple will take you.
"Toss excess office supplies you don't use — such as bulky calculators (use the one on your phone), bulk rubber bands, paperclips or any other items you barely use," says Holly Blakey of Breathing Room.
Promotional "Swag"
Who doesn't love free stuff? While it's fun to get 'swag' from company events or conferences, all that stuff can build up pretty quickly. Organizers agree on the importance of staying on top of your free merch.
"That conference tote bag from 2018? It’s likely just taking up space rather than serving a purpose," says Johnson.
If you do find yourself using these items from time to time, try moving them to their correct spots, whether that's the closet for a tote or the kitchen for a reusable bottle. And if not, donate them to a local charity or shelter.
Books
Organizers acknowledge that this can be a tough one. Getting rid of books you once were so motivated to read but haven't gotten to years and years later can definitely lead to a bit of guilt. However, there's only so much time in the day and there are so many wonderful books — it makes sense why you can't get to them all!
"The top items people should get rid of in home offices are things like books that haven’t been read (and won’t be read) or books that you read once and know you won’t reach for again," says Emily Mass of Spaces by Emily.
Now, we're not saying you should donate all the books you haven't gotten to yet. Make a point to sit down and sort through those you really want to read and the ones you no longer feel passionate about. And if you're not sure about some, donate them to a friend or family member so you know they won't be gone forever.
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