CasaSugar

Fresh Start Resolution: Organize Your Desk

SavvySugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:06:48 PST

Having an organized workspace will streamline your schedule and boost your productivity, so take some time to assess your desk situation and sort your supplies. Whether you're in need of a major overhaul or just a mini makeover, you can follow these six easy steps to create a clean, clutter-free desk space.

Clear it all out. Before you can arrange your things or add new supplies, you'll need to take stock of what you already have at your desk. Begin by emptying any drawers and pulling folders from the shelves. As you remove the items, sort them into categories: keep, toss, and undecided. Set the undecided pieces aside to deal with later.
Sort by type. Divide the keep pile into loose papers, folders, tools, and personal items. Designate specific drawers or shelves for each category before moving forward, and remember to arrange them in a way that's tailored to your work habits.
Deal with the paper situation. Every piece of paper should be put into a folder or file, even if it's just a "deal with later" folder that you check at the end of each day. Loose items can get lost, so it's important to create a space for every document.

Keep reading for more desk organization tips.

Brilliant or Baffling: Stand-Up Desks

Emily Co — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:56:51 PDT

A study recently said that sitting all day can shorten your life span, but for those who hold office jobs, sitting at a desk all day is just part and parcel of the daily grind. This scary fact cited by a Medical Billing and Coding infographic says it all: "sitting 6+ hours per day makes you up to 40% likelier to die within 15 years than someone who sits less than 3. Even if you exercise."

So what's the solution? Taking mini breaks and doing a bit of stretching in the bathroom or walking back and forth in the hallways. However, that seems a little tiresome, especially for those busy worker bees who don't want to take breaks when they are "in the zone."

Another alternative solution you can consider is the stand-up desk. If a sedentary lifestyle isn't for you, the stand-up desk will enable you to stand up all day long to do your work. I found a neat Safco stand-up desk at Overstock for $165. Unfortunately, this type of desk seems to be priced on the higher end . . . perhaps because it's such a unique product?

What do you think of the stand-up desk - brilliant or baffling?

I'm Asking: What's on Your Work Desk?

Emily Co — Sun, 22 May 2011 00:15:19 PDT

Sometimes decorating your desk with pretty items can put a smile on your face even when you're going through a tough work day. I'm asking, what sort of desk ornaments or organizing items do you have on your work desk?

My desk has a pink mouse pad with a cartoon bear on it, headphones for me to watch YouTube videos, my Starbucks tumbler, a tiny whiteboard for me to jot down ideas, and a stack of career and personal finance books on the side. Not to forget, there's usually always a copy of O magazine! What sort of items do you have on your desk?

A New Desk, a New Life

Casa Community — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:02 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Kateparham from the Su Casa group:

Last month was an interesting month for me . . . life changing, you might say. Long story short, I quit my full-time job to pursue my dream: being a full-time, freelance writer. Along with the many changes that accompanied this decision, it become quite obvious that I needed a desk. One can hardly work from home without a proper workspace.

With a limited budget, however, finding affordable, functional, and chic office gear was more difficult than I had initially thought. Naturally, I was up to the challenge! To find out what I ended up buying, please visit Kitchen Couture, a blog for fashionable foodies who love a good bargain!

Have you done any redecorating or makeovers lately? Be sure to share your photos in the Su Casa group!

Su Casa: É-Clair's Office Space

Casa Community — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:00:00 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member É-clair from the Su Casa group:

I used to work from home and needed a good space to focus and research restaurants, so I needed a desk in my room. A nice shiny white lacquered desk is my favorite. I also am very fond of a freshly painted white bamboo antique desk. I hated the idea of making my room look business-like so I made sure my desk also worked as a side table and incorporated it into the feel of my bedroom.

I bought the white glossy Parsons desk, and I put all of my picture frames, pen holder and lamps on a tray, which is a very organized and stylish way of organizing your desk. I made sure my chair was comfortable and added a white shag rug to the back and texture with my basket filled with files. The foo dogs add a hint of playfulness and color to organize table books.

Continue reading to see the photos that inspired É-clair's desk!

Open House: What's Your Favorite Feature of Your Home?

CasaSugar — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 05:00:17 PDT

Checking out a real estate listing for a Pasadena home designed by noted architect Wallace Neff, I noticed this adorable little desk nook with built-in drawers. It's the perfect place to jot off a little note or pay some bills, but it doesn't take up much square footage. It's these sort of elements that distinguish a great home from an ordinary one - and a great architect from an ordinary one. A lot of apartments in San Francisco have a built-in key shelf, which is one feature I've always loved. One of my favorites in a former home of mine was a laundry shoot - whoosh, goodbye smelly socks! Meanwhile, my mother swears that having dual sinks in the bathroom is the key to a long marriage. How about you? What's your favorite feature of your home?

Is Your Desk a Mess?

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:00:28 PDT

London-based French designer Julie Marabelle of Famille Summerbelle recently shared this lovely drawing of her desk, which she created using Chinese ink and computer-generated colors. I wish my messy desk looked so pretty! Since my work is mostly browser-based and I never seem to accumulate paperwork of my own (or need writing utensils at all), you'd think my work space would be quite minimal. But as hard as I try, press releases and shelter magazines are always piling up on my desktop! Is your desk a mess?

Etsy Finds: Dress Your Desk

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:00:12 PDT

The school year's already underway, but is your desk's style making the grade? If not, never fear, because this week's edition of Etsy Finds will help you fill in those missing accessories.

Do You Work at a Desk at Home?

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:00:00 PDT

For those of you who can telecommute or who run a home business, an organized space is essential for productivity. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that space includes a desk. Plenty of people I know work at a dining table, coffee table, or even on their beds! I'd love to add this desk, from photographer Andrew Pogue's portfolio, to my home office space, but for now I'll make do with the kitchen table. How about you?

A Room Fit For an Indian Princess

Casa Community — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Wscoggins from the Su Casa group:

My daughter's room is inspired by Eastern (Moroccan/Indian) themes. I recently repainted and papered her desk to match her bed, and this is the result. There's still more I'd like to do to her room, but this is where we're at so far.

Not only are the new pink accents utterly charming, but the shape of the desk itself is gorgeous! Check out Wscoggins's post to get a glimpse of her daughter's Eastern-style bed. And be sure to share photos of your own home decorating in the Su Casa group!