Small Spaces - Organization Ideas needed

[penguins_dont_fly]

It has been over a year since my Business partner and I went our separate ways.

With the split, I lost my dedicated 500 square foot space and have moved all operations into my home (which is not large at all).

My office space (pictures, research and listing) feels claustrophobic to me and I find myself not even wanting to go in there ... which results in me not listing anything or only listing one or two items before "escaping".

I have good inventory storage space and a good shipping workstation separate from the office, so I'm (mostly) OK there ... it's just the all-important "desk time" that's killing me.

I've been watching "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo" on Netflix (you should ... really ... she's wonderful).

Her basic principles work for the rest of my house and personal items ... but I can't seem to make them work in the office ... mostly because everything in there is necessary, even if it doesn't "spark joy". And at this point, it is the opposite of joy.

I need some ideas, gurus, videos ... something. Anybody got any?

[coffeebean832]

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Are you able to put 1/3 of the boxes and packing tape in your shed storage? It may be better to replenish more often in order to free up some shelf space.

The bottom shelf has too much small clutter. Measure the space and find some boxes, bins or baskets that will fit. Label the outside. Get a color that's pleasing to you- or go with white since you want the space to be less claustrophobic. Get the ones that have a grommet hole or a handle so you can easily grab it and slide it out to access your supplies.

You need to store these items in the space you have so you need to give the appearance that it's less cluttered.

Lighting- get an LED Daylight bulb for the overhead.

Do you need to keep that black cabinet and that tiered cart? Can you get a white or light wood colored table that's open underneath? Anything stored in there might be able to be put in a slim file cabinet or shelf storage in the corner.

Have you ever seen those PVC rod racks? That could be a good option for the rods that are against the wall since you can have several rows in a more compact space- like this

Take down the flags and banners and put them in the closet. Take down any unnecessary decor like that.

Do the same thing I suggested for the bottom shelf in the first picture.

Take down that little shelf on the top right in favor of more functional storage and shelves.

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[generaluser3]

 Hello!  Quick response since I have to leave, but I have to say that I am very empathetic to your situation.  By the way, I admire Marie Kondo and her KonMari system.  She's sweet but fierce, isn't she?!  I've only just started applying her methods, but have a long, long way to go.

It looks like you do have some room in your living room, from the angle you photographed.  You could scooch over the chairs or other things, and have room maybe for a 6-foot foldable Lifetime table?  Every day I bring out my 6-footer, do my work on it, then fold it up and slide it away into a nook/cranny when I'm done.  Everything that was on the table gets tucked back to its normal resting place.  

We've done "Internet cafe" work time on the table with 2 laptops, some liquid refreshments, and good lighting, and then it all gets put away afterwards.  🙂

Whatever you decide to do, the Best of Luck!  Oh, and it's great that you have a handyman DH too!  

[sharingtheland]

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@ersatz_sobriquet wrote:

I would love to see your pic Sherry but it won't open for me. Is it my settings or others having trouble seeing it too? 

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I don't know what the heck happened to my photo but being the genius that I am with a computer I'm sure I can fix it.  

Yes, my email address is aol; it's the original one from early 90's and everyone knows it so the thought of changing and notifying is just too much.  Not sure why it popped up with the photo, though.

[sharingtheland]

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@ersatz_sobriquet wrote:

I would love to see your pic Sherry but it won't open for me. Is it my settings or others having trouble seeing it too? 

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Embarrassing now; original photo was of such professional quality.   Again, these are 15" wide, bolted to wall but they stand on little feet if you want to move them around (we attached to wall because of weight of door).  We also have some heavier Ikea cases.  Worth a look at their website, penguin, just to maybe get an idea of organized consolidation.  Un huh, organized.  That's me.  Like this wallpaper idea I had...

 

[hidy-hoo]

Do you have a hallway?  I know that most 600 s.f. apts. don't have hallways, but in the off chance that you do, "slim line to the wall" fishing rod stands/holders would work and get them off the ceiling and out of the office ~ if not, then put all of the rods against one wall with a slim design holder and then attach a curtain rod using a curtain rod extender to get the correct depth from the wall and find a nice looking drape with grommets for easy installation...

or, if you don't care that you can see the rods lined up against a wall (how many do you have?) you could still put some furniture in front of them if you remove the rods with an "up and over" motion ~ that's all I got...good luck...and one more thing - new desk under the window is a fantastic idea!

[moo*cow*corner]

Our home is about 880 sq. ft.,  2 bdrms, so I feel your pain. Inventory has taken over everywhere. We are putting up an outbuilding of some sort as soon as the weather breaks and the ground firms up in the spring. The biggest we can afford!

Definitely a full spectrum light in the winter. I need to dig mine out anytime now.

I have some anxiety issues on occasion. Sometimes I can do some focused mental exercises and power through. Sometimes not so much.

At times, I sip a relaxing herbal tea like chamomile or peppermint while I work and that helps. If that's not enough, I swear by the Traditional Medicinals brand Easy Now tea. Hubby swears by a cup of skullcap tea at bedtime, and he says it's effects last through the next day when he's stressed and anxious.

There are lots of different stress and anxiety focused herbal teas and blends out there. Might be an inexpensive thing to try while you work on the other things.

Most times, a soothing cup of tea takes enough of the edge off that I can be more focused and get stuff done without feeling all drugged up or anything.

[adkhighker]

I agree there's nothing like a good cup of tea whether you're trying to straighten up the office or getting ready to call it a night and relax. My favorite is yogi ginger with a dab of honey. 

[moo*cow*corner]

@adkhighker
I've not tried any kind of ginger. That sounds really good! I'll have to give it a try.

I am making some progress on sorting and purging and selling. It's slow going though. I hate feeling like I'm throwing potential profit away!

I choose this route because there's not much substantial I can do about the piles of boxes until we get the new outbuilding up. So, I tell myself that it's just a temporary situation, fix some nice tea, and soldier on. I had forgotten about my full spectrum light, so that's coming out TODAY.

[adkhighker]

Word of warning about the ginger tea. It can have a little bite to it, so if you don't like spicy foods, you might not like the yogi ginger tea. Good luck with the sorting and all of that.

[kaykakfs]

For me, the visual clutter is what would drive me out of the room. I had the same thought about blocking the fishing rods with a curtain or screen. Whether they line one wall or fill up a corner, out of sight out of mind.

I like the idea of clearing the clutter from the desk. If it's stuff you need and use boxes or plastic baskets or bins will keep it all in one place.

If moving the desk isn't practical at least try to give yourself a view out the window. It's a good visual distraction.


A small investment in a folding card table and you have instant workspace wherever you want it.

[flp]

I see Courtney Hadwin and Darci Farmer on your screen--great choice!

[calntom]

I could not read through the whole thread. In case no one mentioned that.......

Your monitors look WAY to far away from where you face would be. Could be causing undo strain on your eyes.  

[abfabvintage]

Hi, Penguins. I have a spare room about the size of yours and used to have the same desk you have. I took all of it out since now I only use a laptop, not a PC system. Then I went to Home Depot where you can find fairly cheaply already constructed counter tops (3 sections to surround the entire room. you can have them cut to size. Then I surrounded the entire room with those counters. And they don't need to be very deep. For support, I used bannister newels (if that is what they are called) as legs here and there. Then for filing space, went to a used office furniture place and bought a few of those short cabinets that slide under the counter space here and there. Then put wire shelving all round in 3 tiers above the counters (excluding my one window). That way, I can swivel roll around back and forth in my small office chair to any point I want within the room. And if you have a Kitchen type store in your area, many times they have countertops considered seconds. Hope this helps. And by doing a surround on all walls, your hubby can be on one side and you on the other. Hope this helps. P.S. you can also support the countertops by just laying them over those short metal filing cabinets.  

[moo*cow*corner]

@abfabvintage

That all sounds just divine! I'm going to show your post to hubby. And, let the lobbying and influencing begin! Something like that just may be the next major project after the outbuilding...Ha!

[abfabvintage]

Thanks, Moo. Believe it or not, I also have 3, (2 are only 1 year old), 10x16 Amish built sheds. Not Home Depot. Here on the Eastern Shore lots of Amish sheds. They last up to 20 years. Took about 1.5 months to have them deliver all ready made. No windows, just roof vents. Then had my handyman carpenter install 4 tiers of wire shelving all round, then clothing poles strapped to the ceiling joists down the center. Made enough room with the shelving for those rubbermaid "coffin" sized storage bins that slide underneath the first tier. Then bought those I think called Starlite? white bins from home depot for the first class or anything in a poly so they sit straight up with the inventory # visible, then one side for the PM boxes. Works for me...what ain't working? I need to start listing lololol. Spending way too much time here.