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Debbie Williams is an organizing strategist and founder of the online organizing forum, OrganizedU.com. She is the author of  "Common Sense Organizing" from Champion Press.

Storage in a Cubicle

Question: The company I work for recently reorganized the office space and I ended up going from an office to a cubicle. I've got too many files, paper and misc. stuff to cramp into the smaller space. On top of that we're not allow to attach anything to the cubicle walls. Any suggestions?
Bonnie

Answer: I imagine right now you feel as though your cubicle is bursting at the seams! There are a couple of solutions for overstuff-itis, which is what you're suffering from at work.

The main thing is to go VERTICAL and utilize as much vertical space as you possibly can. In a small space such as yours, you don't have much horizontal space to work with, so think "up and down."

  • Go to your local office supply store or shop online (or in catalogs) for acrylic trays that hook over your cubicle walls. Clear acrylic works best so that nothing gets lost in those little wall pockets, never to be heard from or seen again.

  • Purchase picture frames and other framed art that is lightweight and can be attached to the cubicle walls with velcro. Or if the walls of your space are not made of material, perhaps you can find another way to display artwork, such as bookends that double as photo frames, or invest in a photo cube rolodex. Make your items do double duty as much as possible, and limit the knick-knacks to a bare minimum. You can always add a few later on, once you find a home for the necessaries you will need to do your best work.

  • You can literally double your storage space for office supplies, catalogs, binders, and books by using plastic storage drawers. Stacking bins or tubs aren't just for the pantry or children's rooms-- buy them in black, white, or another office-friendly color and store product literature, incoming periodicals, and heavy binders in them. If your items are small enough to fit into drawers, go shopping at your favorite office supply store and pick out a stacking drawer unit that will fit under, beside, or near your desk. Office stores sell these in all sizes, shapes, and colors imaginable and have the best variety and most durable products I've seen thus far. A small one can house office drawer items (pens, scissors, stapler, and post-it notes), while larger ones can even hold computer keyboards and other peripherals you can't seem to find a spot for.

    Get creative, utilize that vertical space, and soon you'll have a home for all those things to go to in your new space. Happy moving!

    Good luck,
    Debbie Williams

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