With flexible hours and remote work becoming increasingly commonplace, home offices are now as essential as the bedroom or kitchen. For most of us, though, this means that spatial and time boundaries aren’t so clear-cut, and things can get messy when work and personal life are intertwined. Here are five tips for an organised home office that lets you quickly put everything away when it’s family or entertaining time.

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Pull-out boxes for instant organisation

Shelves are a great way to store things, but open ones can look messy when you don’t have the time to arrange everything neatly. Instead, opt for pull-out boxes that let you store your bits and bobs out of sight. We love the Ikea Kallax shelving system with boxes that fit neatly into the cubbyholes, and can be removed or swapped as needed – it’s perfect for stashing files, stationery, or anything that needs to be put away in a second.

Image credit: Why Décor

Rolling carts for a mobile office

Perfect for storing stationery and paper, rolling carts are a lifesaver for those of us who have to work from the kitchen table. Maximise the space on yours by attaching hooks and magnets from the sides – it’s a great way to keep items like rubber bands and small containers handy. The cart can live in a corner of your home when not in use, taking up minimum space.

Image credit: The Container Store

Large baskets and boxes for the misfits

We all have odds and ends that don’t quite fit neatly into drawers: rolls of wrapping paper, extra art materials, you name it. Sort these by gathering them in large, freestanding receptacles — rattan baskets or wooden crates work beautifully while lending character to the space. These can then be stashed away under the desk.

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Hidden nooks for electronics

Electronics like printers are a necessary but rarely-used item in the home, and can sometimes be an eyesore that takes up room. Free up precious working space by dedicating a pull-out open drawer for yours – bonus points if it has space for your paper stash! This one takes a bit of planning ahead when creating your home office, but is worth it for saving space and preventing dust from gathering. Simply pull it out for use when you need it, and tuck it away from dirt and inquisitive little hands after you’re done.

Image credit: Live Simply by Annie

Mesh grids for smaller items

A convenient solution for displaying photos and art, mesh grids are easy to install and pretty to look at. Most even offer add-ons that give you some extra shelf space, or a little basket to store mail. These can be customised to your needs, allowing you to maximise vertical space while giving you an area to display those mementoes.

Image credit: Homegirl London