As anyone with a desk and a deadline knows only too well, clutter and chaos is no foundation for a happy, productive workspace.
The problems created by a disorganised, messy-feeling office are both practical and wellbeing based.
On the practical front, efficiency is affected when items and paperwork are hard to find; hygiene when cleaners are unable to sanitise surfaces properly.
And from a wellbeing perspective, cluttered work environments have been shown to impact how our brains function - boosting stress and anxiety and affecting our focus and ability to process information.
“You may think you’re not bothered by your overstuffed filing cabinets or the stacks of paper on your desk. But scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute have used fMRI and other approaches to show that our brains like order, and that constant visual reminders of disorganisation drain our cognitive resources and reduce our ability to focus. They also found that when participants cleared clutter from their work environment, they were better able to focus and process information, and their productivity increased.”
But no business wants to be constantly chivvying their staff to keep the office feeling ordered.
You need your workspace to fight your corner too.
Here are 5 of our best interior design tricks to keep your office feeling calm and clutter-free with the minimum of fuss.
DesignTonic X White Rose Education
1. We (heart) storage
Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool minimalist or an overt maximalist, clutter is a no-no for comfort and calm.
And what’s the most effective anti-clutter weapon any interior has at its disposal? Yep, it’s smart storage.
Look to integrate as many versatile, functional storage solutions into your office layout as possible - from concealed cabinets to under-desk drawers; wheeled credenzas to modular walls with built-in storage.
Allow employees to personalise their spaces - because when people have ownership of their workspace, they’re more likely to keep it tidy and organised.
And keep business supplies to a workable minimum.
One of the biggest clutter culprits in the office, excessive stationary, cleaning products and teas and coffees quickly pile up.
Assign the task of effective stock control to members of your team, and provide sufficient space to keep what you do need to hand neat and tidy.
We love to use good-looking filing cabinets as clever dividers in the office, like those in White Rose Education’s gorgeous new office (above).
Not only does this keep paperwork in order (its placement next to the desks is such a brilliant way of improving efficiency through ease of access), but it also helps to zone your space, creating a clear division between places of focused work and access or other task zones.
2. Be strict about storage space
And, once you’ve got all this lovely storage space, be strict about what you keep in it.
Purposeful, or purpose-built storage, that houses specific items around the office keeps things off desks and stops things being left in random places, which in turn leads to clutter - so stay strong and insist that staff get used to everything having, and staying in, its place.
And where should you put your designated storage?
Our advice is to keep it away from anywhere where your workforce are creating, collaborating or client-facing and, if it’s sited close to a focus space, to ensure that it’s out of sight.
Above, you can see two great options for this kind of storage, both incorporated into our design for Irving Knight.
Comfortably separated from the reception area, clean floor-to-ceiling cabinetry is the perfect spot for business supplies, its dark colour helping it to recede from view.
Whereas, situated directly behind deskspace, these tall cupboards are the perfect spot for files and folders that need to be quickly accessed throughout the working day.
DesignTonic X IncSpaces & Wrigleys Solicitors
3. Manage those cables
Nothing makes a space look more chaotic than a messy tangle of cables hanging from the furniture, whether that’s computer, phone and printer cables from the desks or cables that connect tech to power and pairings.
Use cable management systems to keep wires organised and out of view.
Choose desks with built-in routing to maintain a clean and tidy workspace, and work with your designers and/or internal comms teams to sink wired connections into floors and walls wherever possible.
And in meeting rooms and presentation spaces, place cabinets beneath screens to house remotes, and/or invest in bespoke panelling or cabinetry that keeps cables hidden but accessible.
The two custom-built media units shown above were both handcrafted by our talented team for clients, but each based on a very different aesthetic.
At IncSpaces, this fantastic full wall unit incorporates storage and integrated lighting, becoming the ultimate visual and multifunctional hybrid piece.
Meanwhile, at Wrigleys Solicitors, a clean, classic look is achieved with cabling hidden (but accessible) behind crisp panelled walls that fit seamlessly into the scheme.
4. Multifunction keeps it minimal
When it comes to furniture, choosing ergonomic options that enhance your staff’s comfort and also incorporate storage is a great way to nurture a clutter-free environment.
Think chairs with storage pockets, adjustable desks with concealed compartments, ottomans that double as storage units and folding tables to provide extra meeting or workspace only when needed.
And larger pieces, like the tiered seating of the custom mini-theatre we incorporated in Axiologik’s interior, can easily be configured to hide bags of storage beneath.
Floorplan Flow at DesignTonic X White Rose Education
5. Space and light
Keeping a space feeling clutter-free isn’t only about removing the mess of things - it’s also about preventing people clutter too.
How do we do this? We look at thoughtful layout planning and careful lighting.
Spending the time to ensure that your floor plan flows well, feels spacious and provides for all the task needs of your workforce prevents actual overcrowding - it also helps employees to compartmentalise their work mentally and logistically.
And the clever use of sleek, well-integrated lighting keeps things feeling light and bright, reducing shadows that can make a space feel messier.
Well-designed lighting can draw attention to specific areas, like storage or designated workspaces, encouraging employees to use these areas for organisation rather than cluttering shared spaces.
And on a mood-and-comfort basis, good lighting levels influence the mood and comfort of the workspace, with a well-lit environment able to create a sense of calm and reduce stress, making employees more motivated and productive overall.
The last word…
A well-designed, clutter free office doesn’t just look great - it’s also a productive and pleasing environment for you all to do your best work in, every day.
By incorporating these interior design tricks into your commercial space, you’ll be able to create a workspace that promotes organisation, reduces clutter and enhances the overall efficiency and wellbeing of your employees.
