How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

Office Supplies Blog has a great article up about desk zoning. Desk zoning may sound like a construction deal but it’s actually a way to get your desk organized for work and can help keep you more productive.

I zone my work area in high use order. In other words I organize everything so that the items I use frequently are within one arms reach away. That includes the computer obviously, a cup full of pens and another of highlighters, my thesaurus and dictionary, stapler, a small bookshelf full of the books I use for reference most often (mostly green and pregnancy related), envelops, stamps, and work folders. For me work folders have contracts and project details.

When desk zoning do not forget that non-work items you frequently use should be within one arms reach as well. I always have my record player, chapstick, eye drops, and hand lotion right near by as well or I’d be getting up all the time to find these things.

More zones...  

Zones I have to move to get to:

I have a bookshelf zone in my office that is across from my desk that has reference books I use but not on a daily basis. I could have put them by my desk but one way to increase productivity is to not crowd yourself (I’ve found). It’s better to zone only essentials close-in and other items close by.

I also have a closet zone which is a shelf with all my office supplies that are not used daily; large envelops, extra paper and pens, empty notebooks, and more. My last zone is the filing cabinet. I used to have it near my desk but it’s huge and overwhelming so I moved it further away. My filing cabinet holds all my invoices, story research, and items like W9s, non-current contracts, and copies of my published work. That’s stuff I don’t need hardly ever so why zone it nearby where it’ll distract me.

The Office Supplies Blog has their zoning article set up specifically to cover the desk area only and it’s a great read so check it out. The whole point of proper work supply zoning is to keep the stuff you REALLY use close and uncluttered. Seriously, if you don’t use the tape dispenser each day you don’t need it on your desk. Go for bare necessities and your desk and head will be clearer for work.

NOTE: The great cartoon above is by the talented Dave Walker at We Blog Cartoons. This guy is super funny -- check out his work. 

How do you zone your work area (do you zone your area) and how's that working for you?