15 Office Storage Ideas to Help Productivity
Updated: Feb. 08, 2021Whether you work from home or just need a place for the kids to study, we've got 15 of the best home office storage ideas to keep everything close at hand when you need it most.
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
Box It Up
Storage boxes are the perfect way to corral a multitude of practical office supplies, like paper, envelopes and extra cords and equipment, out of view. Labels can help you find anything quickly and using boxes to organize the clutter will keep your office work- and study-ready.
Organize the Mail
Two of the most challenging items for a household to keep organized are mail and bills. Store both in this countertop mail organizer or this easy-to-build DIY mail organizer and never wonder where the phone bill is again.
Open Shelving
Easy to build and endlessly customizable, open shelving is a perfect way to store office supplies off your desk and easy to find.
Break up books, magazine holders, and other items by adding a few special objects like picture frames or vases to increase the attractiveness of your shelf and avoid the appearance of clutter.
Box Shelves
Cubes are a perfect shape for many baskets and boxes and they create a small enough space for mini collections of books and papers. With these easy-to-construct box shelves, you can create a custom space that is the perfect match for your office decor.
Glass Jar
A practical decor favorite, old glass canning and food jars, in various sizes, make the perfect location for pencils, paper clips, business cards and a myriad of other small items in your home office. Choose a few clear glass jars of various heights and place on an open shelf for the best effect.
Built-In Storage
The granddaddy of home office storage ideas is a built-in unit to store everything out of sight. Check out this gorgeous Family Handyman exclusive built-in bookcase to see how integrated shelves can add elegance and function to your home.
Mobile Storage
Part storage, but all genius, this craft storage hack, using store-bought cabinets can easily be used as a rolling office for homes that are short on space, but long on style.
A Fully Enclosed Workspace
When it comes to home office storage ideas, why not think big, and make your entire office one storage space? By turning an extra closet into a home office, you’ll have all the storage you could ever need, with the added ability to close the doors when you want it out of sight.
Hang It Up
Why stack items on a shelf, when you can hang them? With this ingenious rod and clip system, using everyday items such as wire baskets and curtain clips, you can create the perfect place for storing tablets, photos and important notes where you will be sure to see them.
Use Those Mugs
You will be hard-pressed to find a home that doesn’t have an extra mug or two lying around. Make a statement by using your most outlandish mug as a pen holder on your desk, to bring a smile to an otherwise long work day. Better yet, mugs are easy to change if and when you decide you need a little decor shift in your home office. Plus: Easy Solutions for Everyday Organization Problems
Store Cords
The cables and wires from the electronic devices sitting on your desk look pretty bad when they’re left to hang in the wind. To fix this sloppy look, mount a cable organizer under your desk to tuck, wrap and stow your cables. Even if cables are visible, tidying them up will make them far less unsightly.
File It
Using a filing cabinet in a home office may seem a little too industrial, but it doesn’t have to be. Spray paint and add new handles to create a whole new look to a stock filing cabinet and make your home office look like a million bucks. On the inside, color-code files by type to make items easy to locate.
Create Secret Storage
Whether you purchase boxes made to look like books or use our instructions for creating your own, carving out a secret hiding spot in your office is perfect for valuable items or smaller office supplies—not to mention chocolate!
Upcycle
With the myriad of small office supplies in a home office drawer, it can be hard to keep things organized and easy to find. Upcycle an old muffin tin by placing it in a drawer to organize small items like paper clips, thumbtacks, and rubber bands. You will be glad you did.
Build a Dowel Shelf
With nothing more than scrap wood and a few dowels, you can make a custom shelf below any wall cabinet to make home office storage a breeze. Adjust the measurements to fit your space and your office supplies.
Up next, check out these tips for setting up a productive home office.