Erika Davis
Is your workspace still carrying a lot of last year with it? Extra papers, half-used notebooks, stray cables, and maybe a few extras that either aren’t needed or aren’t bringing you joy.
Whether you are working in a historic Chicago downtown office like the Monroe Building or from a home office, a simple reset can make day-to-day work feel less stressful, lighter and more focused. This “fresh start” energy is a great excuse to declutter, set up more functional zones, and bring a sense of calm back to the spaces where you spend a good part of your day.
Below are practical ideas you can use in your office or home office, plus a few organizing tools to make it easier to follow through.
Start with a Simple Desk Reset
A full-day cleanout is easy to postpone. A 20–30 minute “desk reset” is not.
Try this quick routine at work or at home:
1.) Clear the surface.
Move everything off your primary work surface (yes, everything) to a box or temporary pile.
2.) Wipe down your space.
Dust your desk, wipe your keyboard and mouse, and clean your monitor. In a shared office, this is a small step that everyone benefits from.
3.) Sort items into three groups:
Everyday: laptop, phone stand, notebook, pen cup
Weekly: reference folders, planner, headphones
Decor/personal: photos, plants, small mementos
4.) Only put back what you truly use.
Everyday items can stay on the surface. Weekly items should live in a drawer, desktop organizer, or shelf so your desk still feels clear.
5.) Now add in a few items that just bring you joy.
It may be a picture of friends or family, it may be a tchotchke you bought while on vacation – whatever it is, if it brings you joy, put it back.
Helpful organizing ideas:
Use a Desktop Organizer to Contain Small Items
Containing loose items like pens, cell phones, and ear pods gives everything a space to have a “home.” Here are some examples:
At Home Desktop Organizer
https://www.athome.com/desktop-organizer-white/124411279.html?store=213
Martha Stewart Linen Deluxe Desk Organizer
https://www.staples.com/martha-stewart-linen-deluxe-desk-organizer-ms101c/product_24342838
Raise Your Screen, Make Space Underneath
If your monitor or laptop is sitting directly on your desk, you are missing valuable storage space and may be straining your neck.
A monitor stand can help you:
- Lift your screen closer to eye level
- Create a shelf underneath for your keyboard, notebook, or small supplies
- Keep your desk looking more intentional and less cluttered
Examples:
IKEA ELLOVEN Monitor Stand with Drawer – Raises your monitor and provides a pull-out drawer for notebooks, cables, and office tools.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/elloven-monitor-stand-with-drawer-white-50474770/
Brite Desktop Hutch for 48″W Desks – Brite Furniture embraces minimalist design, current trends, and the ever-changing needs of modern workspaces.
https://www.nationalbusinessfurniture.com/brite-desktop-hutch-for-48w-desks-55667?option=55667_1
Quiet the Cable Clutter
Cords and chargers are one of the quickest ways a neat desk starts to feel chaotic.
Use this three-step cable clean-up:
- Choose one “home” for your power strip.
Under your desk, against the wall, or in a corner works well.
- Hide the power strip and extra cord length.
A cable management box keeps everything contained and out of sight.
- Label and clip.
Use small cable clips or ties to group cords and keep them from sliding onto the floor.
Examples:
Bluelounge CableBox – A simple box that hides a power strip and excess cord slack, designed to sit under your desk or behind a console.
Yamazaki Rolling Cable Management Box – A steel cable box on wheels that fits a power strip, cords, and even a router, and can roll out easily for cleaning.
If your home office shares space with a living room or bedroom, these solutions keep technology present but not visually loud.
Create Simple “Zones” in Your Office or Home Office
You do not need a large floorplan to set up functional zones. Even in a smaller office or studio apartment, you can define areas by purpose:
Focus Zone: your primary desk, chair, and monitor setup
Planning Zone: a whiteboard, wall calendar, or notebook for mapping projects
Storage Zone: shelves, a filing cabinet, or a rolling cart for supplies and documents
For home offices, your “storage zone” might be a single bookshelf or a cart that tucks into a closet when the workday ends.
Reset Your Paper and Files
Paper is often what quietly piles up until you feel overwhelmed. The new year is a good time to reduce, then build a simple system:
- Collect all loose papers into one stack.
- Sort into three piles:
Act: items requiring action (forms, bills, approvals)
File: records you must keep
Recycle/Shred: everything else
- Set a physical limit.
Decide how much paper you are willing to store – for example, one drawer or two file boxes.
Add a Sense of Calm, Not Just Containers
Organization is not only about storage. It is also about how your office or home office feels when you walk in.
Consider:
- One or two plants to soften the space and bring in some green
- A small lamp for softer light near your monitor
- One personal object that brings you joy
A daily “closing” routine: clear your desk, put away loose papers, and write a short list for tomorrow before you leave the office or shut down your home workspace
These small, consistent habits help your space stay in “fresh start” mode long after January.
Extend the Fresh Start to Your Home
Once your office feels more functional, you may want to carry that energy into the rest of your home:
Set up a household command center.
A wall calendar, simple file box, and a few labeled folders (like “To Pay,” “To File,” and “School”) can keep paperwork from scattering across the kitchen table.
Use one cart or bin as a “catch-all” for busy weeks.
At the end of the week, take 10–15 minutes to sort and reset.
The goal is not perfection. It is to support your work and home life so you can enjoy more of what the city has to offer, from office events to evenings and weekends exploring your favorite neighborhoods.
Well-designed, thoughtfully Maintained Workplace
At TAWANI Property Management, we believe that well-designed, thoughtfully maintained workplaces help people do their best work. Whether your office is in the Monroe Building or another commercial property in downtown Chicago, a few intentional changes can make your space feel ready for a new year of projects, meetings, and ideas.
If your organization is considering a new office location, our team can help you explore options that support the way your team works today – and how you want to grow in the future.
