7 Things Pro Organizers Want You to Toss From Your Home Office ASAP

Expired Documents and Unnecessary Paperwork

Keep tax documents for seven years and receipts for anything with a warranty. Be ruthless with the rest.

"I’m self-employed and work from home, so I totally understand the struggle," admits professional home stager and realtor Emily DeForge, "but with today’s digital world, many things can go paperless."

Shirley agrees: "Cloud storage keeps your desk from looking frumpy while also securing your files in a new way, which keeps important documents safe from being damaged or lost."

Dead Pens and Dried-Up Highlighters

Test every writing instrument in the room as you go. If it doesn’t work perfectly, it's time to toss it in the trash. Ditto for the pens and markers that still technically work, but you never reach for them.

Choose one place to keep pens, pencils, and highlighters on your desk, and only keep the ones that fit in the space and still have ink.

Random Cords and Outdated Tech

“Your workspace is supposed to be a zen space to be productive and accomplish your goals," says Shirley, "but you can’t do this with surge protectors from the 1900s in your way."

Old tech takes up space, and if it serves no current purpose, it should go. "I promise you are not going to throw away the charger for the Nokia brick you carried in 2004, and find you need it the next day," adds DeForge.

Old Notebooks, Calendars, and Planners

Having multiple notebooks, planners, and calendars scattered across your workspace can create unnecessary clutter and confusion. Sort through each one, discard outdated or unused items, and transfer important notes, dates, and to-do lists into a single, streamlined system.

Whether you choose a digital solution or a physical planner, keeping everything in one place will make it easier to stay organized, track deadlines, and maintain a clear desk. 

While you’re at it, ditch any organizers and “productivity tools” that didn’t work for you. "Not every system works for every brain," explains DeForge. "Keep what actually helps and donate the rest."

Unnecessary Duplicates

"You don’t need five pairs of scissors," says DeForge. "Every ruler measures the same 12 inches. You only need one." Choose the best version of all your duplicate items, and let the others take up residence in another room or the donation bin.

Distracting Décor

Anything that makes you feel distracted or overwhelmed doesn’t belong in your workspace. You can donate the framed quotes from your "boss babe" phase and ditch the knick-knacks that have been collecting dust. Keep things that make you feel peaceful and productive in your space. "Stop saving anything that causes clutter or chaos in your life," encourages Shirley.

Non-Office Supplies

“I encourage my clients to keep their home office a singular-use space if at all possible,” says DeForge. If you have to utilize it as a multipurpose room, remember to clear it of non-office supplies afterwards.

For example, if your home office doubles as a guest room, fold up the futon and return linens to the closet after guests leave to keep the space well-organized and clutter-free.