If we are being honest with ourselves, we’ve all been guilty of it.
Sometimes, we’ve been knee-deep in paperwork and too focused on targets and deadlines to notice that our office space has become cluttered with old cables, coffee-stained mugs, and half-dead pot plants.
Regardless of whether you’re working from home or rocking up to a shared office space each day, having a tidy environment makes a world of difference to how you work, feel, and even think.
As well as being an eyesore, a cluttered office can also mess with your productivity, mood, and even your health.
So, how do you know when it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do something about it?
Here are seven tell-tale signs that your office space is overdue for a good and proper clean.
1. You Can Never Find What You Need
If you’re spending more time searching for things than actually using them, then it might be time to declutter.
That pen you swore you left on the desk? Gone. Those notes from last week’s meeting? Buried under weeks’ worth of unopened mail. Sound familiar?
Disorganisation is one of the biggest time-wasters at work. That is why having a designated space for everything (and making sure it all ends up there) saves time, stress, and those frantic “Where’s it gone?!” moments.
Now is as a good time as any to start tossing or filing what’s cluttering up your space. And if you’ve got piles of stuff too heavy to lift or too bulky for your wheelie bin, it’s worth calling a company like 1300 Rubbish to help haul away the mess.
2. Your Desk Has Become A Storage Unit
Your desk is for working, not storing every random item you’ve brought to work since the day you first started there.
Therefore, if there’s no room to place your laptop without pushing aside snacks, spare stationery, tangled cords, or that unopened company Christmas card from last year, it’s time to reset.
Start by clearing the surface and putting back only what you will actually use every day (there is no room for sentiment here!). Then invest in some desk organisers or even floating shelves if you’re short on space.
It is also worth doing a sweep of your drawers while you’re at it, because there’s probably a forest of pens in there that no longer work.
3. The Office Feels Visibly “Heavier”
This one’s more of a vibe. Ever walked into your office and felt instantly drained, even before the day’s begun?
Well, first of all, you need to get more sleep and relaxation. But aside from that, it is likely because clutter creates a visual weight that overwhelms the brain.
Studies have shown that messy environments increase stress and reduce focus. Thankfully, this can be avoided by a quick declutter.
When doing this, start small with one drawer, then one shelf, and one filing cabinet. You’ll find that, bit by bit, the space will feel lighter, brighter, and a heck of a lot more inviting. Who knows, you might even enjoy being in there again!
4. You’ve Run Out of Storage (Again)
If you’re constantly running out of space to keep things, it’s not always a sign you need more storage, but rather it’s often an indication you need less stuff.
Clutter tends to accumulate when we don’t have systems in place, so instead of heading to Officeworks for more filing cabinets, try purging what you’ve already got.
It is a good idea to digitise what you can and recycle old documents. You should also consider donating unused office supplies and appropriately getting rid of the broken tech that has been gathering dust in the corner for months.
5. Your Productivity Has Slipped
We all have off days, but if you’ve noticed a consistent dip in your ability to get stuff done, it might actually be down to your environment. A chaotic space leads to a chaotic mind, so potentially your office area can also make you feel overwhelmed before you’ve even opened your inbox.
Tidying your office can actually boost your productivity, because with fewer distractions around, you’ll be able to think clearer, focus better, and even make a dent in that to-do list quicker than usual.
6. There’s An Office Smell You Can’t Quite Pinpoint
Now, this one might sound a bit gross, but it’s real. A cluttered office (especially a home office) can be a breeding ground for weird smells.
Old lunch containers, forgotten bananas, musty papers, or even mould under the printer can all launch an attack on your olfactory organs.
If your office has developed a mysterious scent that no amount of scented candles can mask, you may well find it dissipates just by organising a deep clean and decluttering.
7. You’re Embarrassed When People Visit
Whether it’s your boss, a client, or your neighbour popping in for a quick coffee, if you find yourself making excuses for the mess every time someone enters your office, that’s a pretty strong signal you should not ignore.
You shouldn’t have to apologise for your workspace, and you won’t if you take the time to create a clean and welcoming office that reflects your professionalism. Trust us—nobody ever regretted having a neater desk!
