The new year has dawned, and yet many of the elements of our daily lives are still exactly the same. Like, working from home appears to be the norm we’ll be living with for at least another few months. So if you’re one of those people still using a broom closet at home as your “temporary” office, or the kitchen table as a desk, it might be time to level up and get organized. Our correspondent Abbie Martin Greenbaum has interviewed an expert for advice on office and workspace organization tools and tactics when working from home. She’s sharing tips and product recommendations on the best remote workspace tools to help you stay organized while working from home this year.
The best remote work tools to help you stay organized while working from home
Raise your hand if you’re feeling a little burned out right now. Anybody feeling some wrist, neck or back pain from slouching over a laptop for hours on end? Who’s having trouble keeping their work calendar up to date? Yeah, us too.
Expert advice about the best products for remote workspaces so you stay organized while working from home.
After ten months of quarantine and remote work, most of us are experiencing fatigue. But don’t let that slow you down – it’s the dawn of a new year, and we want to take this opportunity to make the best of our new workplace normal.
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If you’re not sure where to start, we have a suggestion: get organized. Working from home has challenged all of us, and we are still struggling to find the systems that work best for us.
That’s why we spoke with Rashelle Isip of The Order Expert, who gave us some much-needed advice. Isip is a New York-based professional organizer and productivity consultant, and she understands the importance of organization better than anyone. She had many words of wisdom to share with us.
First, do a year-in-review
Her suggestion? Doing an end-of-year clean-up and review. Go through your inbox, the fridge, and any other place that has accumulated clutter, and figure out what you don’t need going into 2021.
“Once you see the big picture, it can be really eye opening,” Isip told Dandelion Chandelier. “Start at the beginning of [last] year, using a google calendar or wall calendar, and just go through the year. See the patterns.” We know nobody wants to revisit 2020, but this reflection is a crucial step. Once you have a clearer idea of how you did last year – especially in quarantine – you’ll know what you need to do going forward.
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develop a bespoke plan
Isip also reminded us that getting organized will look different for everyone. “There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to organize,” she said. “What works for one person might not work for another person.”
Instead, approach this as a chance to figure out what solutions are right for you. “Now is a great time for people to really uncover how they best work in terms of tools,” Isip added. So while we’re all at home, use this time to discover the accessories you need.
Expert advice about the best products for remote workspaces so you stay organized while working from home.
Before you know it, you’ll be more organized than ever, and working from home won’t seem like such a chore. Here are six different remote work tools that will help you on your journey.
1. WFH Desk
Isip stressed to us the importance of separating your workspace from your non-working space. “The idea is you want to have a home base,” she said. We know not everyone has the same amount of available square feet at their disposal, so we have a few suggestions in mind.
The WFH desk ($389) is designed with limited space in mind. It allows you to sit or stand, and offers you a designated place for your computer and other work supplies. We could not have anticipated needing an at-home office, and here’s one that won’t usurp your living space.
Even if you don’t have a separate room where you can work, simply having a separate spot will increase your productivity.
The best remote work tools to help keep you organized this year: WFH Desk. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $389
2. Overlap Tray
If you aren’t able to squeeze in a desk, how about this overlap tray ($199)? It will provide you with an easy place to rest your monitor, and more importantly, a way of distinguishing the workday. When the tray comes out, you’ll know it’s time to focus – and at the end of the day, you can put it away until morning. This is crucial when work and play are happening in the same four walls. We can’t stay organized without a work-life balance.
Expert advice about the best products for remote workspaces so you stay organized while working from home. The Overlap Tray. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $199
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3. Strawberry Fields File Folders
Out of sight, out of mind. Isip stressed the importance of removing items from the workspace if they’re not immediately needed. That means – file storage. If you don’t have space for an entire cabinet, consider acquiring these stylish file folders ($14.95). Unnecessary documents can slide away, so they won’t become a distraction.
The best remote work tools to help keep you organized this year: Strawberry Fields File Folders. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $14.95
4. Planners from Cloth & Paper
Isip told us not to under-estimate the value of a paper planner. Even though we all love to use our computers, physically writing down an appointment may help us keep better track of it.
Every person is going to want something different when it comes to a planner. There’s no one-size-fits-all. As Isip reminded us, no two people will have the same organizational needs, and no two people need to record the same exact notes each week. You should find the format that works best for you.
And that’s why we recommend these planners from Cloth & Paper. This Black-owned brand is all about simple luxury, and their products allow for maximum customization. These perfectly-designed spiral planners allow you to add different pages based on what you want to remember. If you need daily inserts, goal inserts, or even budget inserts, you can incorporate them without affecting the sleek design.
Expert advice about the best products for remote workspaces so you stay organized while working from home. Cloth & Paper Planners. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – from $19.90
5. Cloudnola Wall Clock
Something you may not have considered before: a wall clock. This is one of Isip’s biggest suggestions, and she specifies it’s important that it’s an analog clock. It will allow you to understand the passing of time in a different way. “Whereas if you’re using a digital clock, it’s not always that apparent,” she says.
Adding one of these to your designated workspace will allow you to better internalize the time it takes to complete each task, and make better use of your workday hours. We love Cloudnola’s Factory Numbers Wall Clock ($115) because it’s bright, easy to read, and will add a little bit of cheer to your timekeeping.
Expert advice about the best products for remote workspaces so you stay organized while working from home. Cloudnola Wall Clock. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $115
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6. ToDoist
As you embark on your mission to organize, be flexible with yourself. Experiment with different systems until you find the one that’s best for you.
If you’re looking for ones to try, we really like the app ToDoist. It knows that you are feeling overwhelmed – and it’s going to do everything in its power to fix that.
With ToDoist, you can easily add items to your daily schedule, making sure that you never forget a single appointment. You can view your inbox and calendar, and even separate out lists that are for non-work-related tasks. Remember what we said about making sure your workspace is clear of anything you don’t need? That includes your virtual workspace.
The best remote work tools to help stay organized while working from home: ToDoist. Courtesy Photo.
BUY NOW – $3, monthly
And if you’re worried that all this new organization will stifle your creativity? That’s a myth. In fact, Isip pointed that it may even help you uncover what times of day you’re at your most creative. This is why it’s important to find a method of organizing that is uniquely suited to you and your schedule. “You have the freedom to create the structure that you want,” Isip said. “Then you have to maintain it.”
The best remote work tools to help you stay organized while working from home
So, that’s what our expert on professional workspaces and organization has to share in terms of advice and product recommendations for the best remote work tools to help stay organized while working from home this year. What do you think, dear reader? Are you ready to conquer the clutter?
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This article contains affiliate links to products independently selected by our editors. As an Amazon Associate, Dandelion Chandelier receives a commission for qualifying purchases made through these links.
Abbie Martin Greenbaum grew up in New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn, where she drinks a lot of coffee and matches roommates together for a living. At Oberlin College, she studied English and Cinema, which are still two of her favorite things, along with dessert and musical theater. She believes in magic.
