Get Organized Debbie Williams is an organizing strategist and founder of OrganizedTimes.com. She is the author of  "Common Sense Organizing" from Champion Press. Starting a Home Office Question: I'm in the process of remodeling my home and will be making room for a home office, where I will do some work in the evenings and on weekends as well as do household things like bill paying. Do you have any recommendation on how to organize the space and what features to make available in the room (cabinets vs. shelves, etc.). I'd like the space to be organized, my current problem is I seem to have papers piled up everywhere. Carrie Answer: Setting up a home office isn't as complicated as you might think. The most important thing to remember is to create a space where you will actually WORK. Many of my clients tell me they convert an unused guest room or dining room into an office, buy shiny new furniture, and there it sits collecting dust as they pay bills and write letters at the kitchen table! Ask yourself a few basic questions to help you figure out where your office will work best for you: Do you like to be in the middle of the activity, or do you prefer peace and quiet when you work? Active sites for your workspace might include converting the kitchen laundry closet into a desk that can be closed off when not in use. Or setting up a portable file system that can be wheeled from room to room to be near the kids. Depending on the space you have for storing this portable system, you can either store files and supplies in a wheeled cart (find one that has a flat top for a writing surface) or a crate that can sit on top of your counter or on the floor. If you prefer solitude when paying bills or working on reports, then creating a quiet spot may be just the ticket. Set up a workspace in an extra bedroom-turned office, the master bedroom or dining room. Just make sure you can cover it up or put it away when you need to use the room for something else. There's nothing worse for insomnia than to stare at a towering stack of files on your desk needing to be processed! Unless you plan on entertaining clients in your home office, don't invest in costly furniture -- second hand or "borrowed" items will work just fine. Good lighting, a supportive chair with lots of cushioning, and plenty of room for spreading out are key elements for office setup. Fancy and streamlined are much less important than comfort and convenience. Consolidate as much as possible-- try to avoid spreading out your work area and supplies. File cabinets may fit easily into the closet in Junior's room, but sneaking in to file in the middle of the night is not good for either of you! Keep your work together for easy use and a streamlined system. House a few supplies that you use on a regular basis together: envelopes, stationery, pens, postage stamps, address book, and so forth. Scissors, paper clips, and glue may not be used enough to justify taking up valuable storage space in your drawer or portable crate; consider storing these in a zippered pencil case so that you can grab them and carry them with you if necessary. The main thing to remember when creating and maintaining a home office is to set it up where you know it will be used, and then to be consistent with its use. Try to avoid opening the bills in the kitchen, carrying them to the living room to read, and then paying them in the office. Process your papers in one spot, in the same spot, each and every time. It speeds up the process, and reduces the chance of losing important documents. As with any organizing project, there is no one way to setup or organize an office in your home. Try your new setup for a couple of weeks, reevaluate, and change the things that aren't working well for you. Keep tweaking it as your work and lifestyle needs change. Good luck, Debbie Williams Also see: Ask Debbie your questions Recently answered questions Home office organization