Someone uses a spray bottle and towel to clean their desk Spring cleaning isn’t something reserved only for your home: you can take this practice to your office, too. Cleaning and organizing your workspace can help increase productivity and lead to less stress. And what better time to make some changes other than with the approach of spring? To help you kickstart your spring cleaning at the office, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite ideas tailored towards brightening your workspace with the goal of keeping you happy and focused.

Start With a Clean Space

So how do you go about decluttering a full-service workstation? The first step is to clear off your entire workstation. Remove each piece of paper, miscellaneous office materials, and even knickknacks from both your desktop and from inside your drawers. However, you can leave your computer where it is. Because your computer is your main tool, you’ll want to create a space around your computer. You’ll want to make sure that everything is wiped down and cleaned, including the desk, chair, filing cabinet, computer monitor(s), and other office furniture. Starting off with a clean surface will prompt you to be more dedicated to keeping a tidy desk. Be sure you are using the correct cleaning supplies for each piece of furniture and each device so that you do not damage them in the process.

Consider Your Ergonomics

An important consideration when cleaning and organizing your workspace is to address whether or not it is laid out to maximize your productivity. One of the best (and easiest) ways to foster productivity is through an ergonomic approach. Standard office chairs do little to help correct your posture. After all, proper posture has been shown to increase your overall health and Instead, you should consider a more ergonomic-friendly chair like a kneeling chair, which helps support and sustain the natural S-curve of your back. You could also try different models of standing chairs, too, which are focused on subtly engaging your core and allowing you to be more active at your desk. You can also choose to use a standing desk to promote better health, too. Standing desks come in different types and sizes that allow you to easily adjust the height to meet your requirements.

Purge with Reckless Abandon

We instinctively hoard old memos and outdated versions of documents, and it can be tough to kick this habit of accumulating clutter. However, it is important to remember to purge with abandon if you want to get a kickstart on cleaning and organizing your space. It is most effective to tackle the process in a methodical way. Start by sorting papers into four piles: “keep,” “shred,” “bin,” and “file.” You will quickly see how obsolete memos are much less important when compared to quarterly earnings reports. This process also work as an optimal time to throw away any corporate “freebies” that may have muddled your office space, too.

Reformat Your Filing Systems

After tackling the process of removing any piles of paper from your desk, it’s time to revisit your filing system to make sure it meets your organizational needs. The odds are, if any piles of paper accumulated on your desk, then your systematic approach to filing wasn’t effectual. While there is no particular filing system that works best for everyone, the best advice we can offer is to make your approach to filing a personal endeavor. We find that organization by prioritization works best, especially if the system is uniquely you. Choose categories, labels, and a color system that makes the most sense to you to make the filing process easier. After addressing physical files, you might want to go through your email inbox and folders to reassess and re-organize your digital filing system, too.

Practice Routine Maintenance

Now that your work station is fully purged, cleaned, and set for perfection, the most important thing to remember is to carry these ideals with you. Routine desk maintenance can ensure that this process will not be as drastic in the coming years. By occasionally taking the time to purge unnecessary clutter at the end of each day, you can set yourself on the right track for keeping a clean workspace.

Make Room for Self-Expression

And finally, you can take time to make your space special. Personalization of your work space can bring a little spark of life to your desk and help to showcase your unique talents and personality traits. Whether you choose to bring a fun desk toy or a photo of a family member, this step is imperative to the process. Reminders of your outside life throughout each day can help you keep your head straight and can oftentimes provide the motivation you need to get through the tough times. Your unique look should also take into consideration your well-being, too. And a great way to express yourself in a work-appropriate way is by choosing a health-conscious workstation that fits your style. Whether you choose a fun, engaging chair like the Ballo Stool Chair or opt for a more traditional look like the Steelcase Leap Office Chair, the choice is up to you. Whether you choose to do minor tweaks to your desk or embrace a full overhaul, the important takeaway is to create an environment at work where you are comfortable, collective, and productive. Furthermore, it is important that these furniture pieces also help you maintain good posture while at work. Good (and correct) posture has been shown to improve your health, mood, and productivity levels. Browse The Back Store for ergonomic office desks and chairs that promote a healthy lifestyle and a more productive work environment.