Home Office Stations

We've talked about setting up a home office, homework tables, and backpack stations. This time we will discuss all the different "stations" in a home office, or really any central area in your home.

For my family, we have seven major stations to help us function: Chores, Work, Homework, Backpack, Behavior, Schedules, and Files. I'll break down each one for you.



The Chore Station:

 We keep the chore charts hanging in the office. There are numerous chore systems you can use, we have simple dry erase chore charts for the kids. Each kid has their own color chart, and matching dry erase marker attached with velcro. Notice how the little one loves to graffiti the wall around her chart.
The kids know when homework time is over, they must start on chores. They see exactly what they need to do, and they know they can't start playing until all the chores are checked off. We spend less time telling them what to do, and more time working together to keep the house in shape.

 The Work Station:

 The main function of the home office is to get work done. You just need a space that suits your needs and works for you. Mine is fairly simple- computer, desk, writing tools, and printer. You may need more or less space depending on what kind of work you do. Crafters may need more table space and writers may need less distraction. Keeping the desktop free of clutter helps to minimize distractions and maximize efficiency. I also love that I can close the doors to my desk and hide everything. It makes everything look so much neater when visitors come by.

 Inside the doors of my desk I keep my to-do lists and vision statements. They are all laminated so I can use a dry erase marker and change it daily.

 I have my bookshelf right next to my desk so I can quickly grab a notebook and get to work. Because I like my shelf set up a certain way, and the kids have difficulty putting things back, I have a "book return" box on the bottom. When they finish a book, they can just put it in the box and I will put it up for them.

 The Homework Station:
My post on the Homework Station was more detailed, but essentially, you need a quiet place for the kids to do their homework.

Home Office Part 3: Homework Table

Part 1: The Setup          Part 2: Backpack Station

Part three of our home office series involves a homework area for the kids. Getting kids to focus on their homework is a task in itself. You can make this chore a bit easier by creating a designated area free of distraction for them to work. 

The first step is to find an area of your home with ample space and minimal distractions. Do you have only one child or do you need to accommodate several children?  Is there plenty of light or will you need to add a lamp? Finding the right location and figuring out a setup that works for your family is the first, and often the biggest, step in the process. We decided on this corner of the home office.

Once you have an idea in mind and measurements of the space, you need to find a table or desk to fit. You don't need to spend a lot of money, it just needs to serve its purpose. Our first homework table we found at a yard sale. Our second one was an old folding table we had in the garage. Check thrift stores, yard sales,  or even other areas of your home for furniture to fit your needs.

And finally, the finishing touches. You'll need to have all needed supplies within reach but not cluttering the work area. We have a simple three drawer cart which slides under the the table and out of the way. We happened to have an extra one laying around, use whatever you have. The goal is not to spend a lot of money, just to have a functional homework area. You can use old jars, baskets, anything to corral the supplies. Our drawers hold pencils and sharpeners, extra paper, and coloring or activity books for the younger ones. We have little mason jars on top for crayons, scissors, glue, and dry erase markers.

Above the table we have a US map, with pins marking where family members are. We also have the Ten Commandments and the fruits of the spirit to remind everyone of the behavior and character expected of them. The giant white board is used for my assignments and project deadlines.

Now we have a quiet area to get work done and homework time is slightly less stressful.It is right next to my desk in the office, so the computer is close by if needed for research and I can work alongside them in the afternoons.

Products Used:
The Ten Commandments for Kids Chart

Carson Dellosa Word Strips Sentence Strips (4455)

Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers, 12 Colored Markers(30072)

Plastic 3 Drawer Storage

Drawer Organizer Bins

Complete Home Filing System

Complete Home Filing System 

I always tell my husband "when, not IF, I'm on 'Hoarders', there will be no dead cats or ceramic figurines,  it will be all papers and food."

I have a slight hoarding problem when it comes to paperwork. I'm terrified to throw anything away in case I need it someday. I go through all of my papers once a year to get rid of anything I no longer need and make room for a new year's worth of paper. I figure as long as I keep it all organized its not a problem. And I can't count the number of times I have saved the day by finding that old receipt or warranty information. Needless to say, I have a very thorough filing system.

Keeping papers filed and organized is super easy, once you have a system that works for you. There is no one-size-fits-all file system that works for everyone. This system works great for me, but you may need to tweak it to fit your needs.

 My system,  of course, is color coded. I've mentioned before that everyone in my house is assigned a color, and everything from laundry baskets to dishes is that color. This makes my life so much easier!

The Basics:

I have 12 main filing categories. All main categories are the basic green hanging folders, labeled in black.
 SMEAD Hanging Folders Green, Letter Size - 50ct

Each main category has multiple subcategories with color coded files, individually labeled in that color.
Pendaflex Two-Tone Color File Folders, Letter Size, 1/3 Cut, Assorted Colors, 100 Folders per Box (152 1/3 ASST)

For example,  I have a main category of "insurance", and in that folder there are five sub folders-one for each person in the family. We don't all have the same insurance plan, so this makes it easy to keep track of each person's plan and benefits.

The Colors:

Each person has their own color: dad is red, mom is orange, child A is blue, child B is green, child C is purple. Each topic also has a color: household is yellow, finances are navy, banking is maroon,  credit/loans is brown, and vehicles are teal. This system makes it easy to quickly find the file I'm looking for.
Avery Removable Labels, Rectangular, 1 x 3 Inch, White, Pack of 72 (06728)

The Details:My categories are as follows. You can add or delete categories to fit your situation.

Medical: mom, dad, child A, child B, child C
Insurance: mom, dad, child A, child B, child C
Vehicles: car registration, car maintenance, car insurance,  bike registration, bike maintenance, bike insurance
Bills: water, sewer, electric,  internet, phone, rent, etc
Credit: card 1, card 2, card 3, card 4, mom credit report, dad credit report
Finances: mom student loans, dad student loans, car loan, budget, financial goals, debts
Taxes: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011....down to 2007
Household: notebook copies, schedules, blog, receipts and warranties, babysitter information
School: mom, dad, A, B, C
VA: education benefits, disability, appointments
Banking: account 1, 2, 3, 4
Important Documents: mom, dad, A, B, C



Every piece of paper has a specific place. This helps eliminate paper clutter, ensures a safe place for all my documents, and makes it easy to find exactly what I need right away.

How To:

-Make a list of all the types of papers you want to keep. Shot records, school forms, birth certificates, insurance, warranties....you name it!
-Then split them up into categories that make sense to you. Perhaps everyone gets their own folder and all of their stuff goes in one place. Maybe you want a folder for each month to keep track of bills and finances. Decide what works for you.
-Pick out supplies to match your ideas. Do you need a hundred folders or only ten? What size and type of labels? There are endless possibilities, so take some time to design your setup and find products to meet your needs.
-Get to work! Label, label, label! The key to staying organized is having a place for everything and knowing where that is.
-Put it all together. Once your folders are labeled and everything is ready to go, start filing. If you come across something that doesn't have a place, make one. If you don't like something,  change it. Make your system work for YOU. 

Supplies I used, some of which I had on hand, the rest I bought at Office Depot.

This "project" is ongoing, as filing systems often require updating and revising as situations change. The total upfront investment for 225 folders, 3 sets of labels, and color pens was roughly $50. You could certainly buy smaller packages for less, or get basic colors for very cheap. I am just slightly anal about my color system, so I spent a bit more to get exactly what I needed, and a few extras so I can to it as needed.