Small/Home Office - Storage

Storage Solutions

Plenty of storage is an absolute must in any office. But exactly what is the best way to deal with all of those files, books, and stray papers? Like the rest of the furniture in your office, storage containers can range from the outrageously expensive to the practically priced. 

A great deal depends on your personal preferences, organizational needs and last of all, your wallet. But basically, you will need filing cabinets and shelves. How you choose to arrange them is up to you. But as you are organizing, remember to keep those files and books that you use most often close at hand, while seven years worth of tax returns can be relegated to the far reaches of the room.

Closets

If your home office is lucky enough to have a closet nearby, you've stumbled across a gold mine of storage possibilities. Simply remove the interior pole and replace it with shelves and/or filing cabinets. You can also employ the help of professional closet-organizing companies to make the most of your space.

Two Filing Cabinets and a Door

One of the simplest and least expensive desks can be created by positioning an old door or panel of wood on top of two filing cabinets. If you don't need the knee room this very traditional option gives you, use it to create more storage space by filling in the gap between the two cabinets with two or three more cabinets. It becomes the perfect surface on which to put your fax machine and copier.

Armoires

If you're looking for something a little more decorative, consider an armoire. These can store a great deal of material. And the best part is, once you close the doors, it blends in beautifully with the rest of the room. No one will ever know an office lies behind that facade.

Baskets and Boxes

Before you spend a great deal of money investing in a bunch of industrial-looking storage bins, have a look around your home. Do you already have more decorative baskets than you know what to do with, shoeboxes just waiting to be put to good use, or hat boxes that serve no purpose? Inject a little of your own personal style and creativity into your office. You'll enjoy the time you spend there even more if it reflects your own personal tastes.

Contact an Interiors NW Design Consultant at design@interiorsnw.com.