momAgenda Blog
Creating a Mini Office: Updated With Photos!
August 17, 2010 1:38 PM
Yesterday I wrote about various tasks I have taken on in preparation for back to school season. I tend to get into a nesting mode every year at this time, as our family starts preparing to go into school mode again. I know the chaos that is coming this September, and I want to be as prepared as I possibly can.
Yesterday, I prepared a "Mini Office" in my kitchen, and I am really excited about how organized this is making me feel! (What can I say, it's the little things that get me excited these days.) Now lest you think, "I already have an office, so I don't need this," think again! I am fortunate enough to have an office in my house, but my office has one issue: it is not in my kitchen, where I spend all my time. So when it's a hectic morning and I need to dash off a note to the teacher, I am not really inclined to walk over to my office, since I am probably trying to pack lunches and find mismatched sneakers at the same time.
Enter the Mini Office. I set aside a small amount of counter space (about 18" wide) next to where we keep the phone in the kitchen. Next to the phone, I placed a small basket filled with note pads and our school directories. Next to that I placed another basket filled with pens, pencils, and scissors. There is space in front of these baskets for me to lay out my day planner so that when I am home, everything is clearly visible and in one place.
I am anticipating that my Mini Office is going to make it easier for me to get the kids off to school in the morning, because I will be able to handle any unforeseen paperwork quickly and while multitasking!
My only question is, am I forgetting anything? What else would you add to the Mini Office in the kitchen?
Update: Many of you asked for a photo of my Mini Office, so here it is. Note that I have not yet incorporated all your excellent suggestions, notably the envelopes, stamps, and sharpies, need to make a trip to Staples! Anyway, here is my photo:
In addition, Alyson was kind enough to send a photo of her Mini Office, which she built into one of her kitchen cabinets. Brilliant! Here it is:
Here's another photo from Becky. I love how she put all her supplies in a pretty basket, it really makes the mini office look so pretty!
Technorati Tags: day planner, personal organizer
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Comments (17)
I love this idea! The only thing I would add is stamps! I am always losing those darn things, even in the office! So I would have to add those to the basket with the note pads & directories!
Posted by: Jamee@A New Kind of Normal - August 17, 2010 1:54 PM
i would say envelopes too! I put notes to teachers, tear off slips from field trip newsletters, etc in an envelope to send to the teacher. Great idea though! Maybe add a "DO NOT TOUCH" sign above it?? ha ha ha Just kidding, although my pens will be gone in 2 days.
Posted by: linda - August 17, 2010 2:00 PM
Great ideas, I am totally going to add envelopes and stamps. Clearly the kids are going to steal my pencils for their homework, and I am really struggling with how I am going to control this. I know it is selfish of me but I really want to have my own pencils!!!
Posted by: momAgenda - August 17, 2010 2:07 PM
id add post it notes for putting on school books or pages you need to remember...and envelopes..i know i always go looking for thoes when i need to send a check to school...and a stapler or paper clips. just what id add..looks good tho..its a great idea.
Posted by: Ericka - August 17, 2010 2:12 PM
Nina, I buy the Ticonderoga "Noir" pencils for myself. They are shiny silver and everyone in my house knows not to touch my pencils... and it's easy to see who has taken them if the disappear! It works pretty well with 3 boys, but your daughter might like them...; )
Posted by: RKG - August 17, 2010 2:29 PM
My mini office is on my kitchen counter below a cabinet. Inside the doors of that cabinet I've hung cork board so I can keep important phone lists, info there for easy access. The bottom shelf of that cabinet is where I keep my hard-copy personal phone book, extra scratch paper, markers, a cup of pens, a bin with binder clips in it (always need those), stamps, our return address stamp, a stapler, scissors, a small roll of Scotch tape, post-it notes, and the page tabs made by Post-it. Of course, the counter is as you described with a spot designated for my MomAgenda!
Posted by: Meg - August 17, 2010 4:07 PM
Picture, please!
I have the same in my kitchen and I actually just put it on my list of things to organize. My writing supplies and post-its are mixed in with prescription medications and spare keys. Ridiculous!
However, I do have my All-in-One Folio looking beautiful on the counter, so there's that, at least.
Posted by: Stamford Talk - August 17, 2010 5:52 PM
I would add a tape dispenser and some paperclips. Also maybe a mini-stapler.
Posted by: Patricia Rosa - August 17, 2010 11:51 PM
Becky, I am going to get those pencils.... they sound really great. I don't know why I get so excited about pencils, am a geek I guess!
Posted by: momAgenda - August 18, 2010 8:01 AM
This is fantastic, would love to see a picture!
Posted by: momAgenda - August 18, 2010 8:03 AM
I would add Sharpies to write their names on things.There always seems to be something that needs a name.
Posted by: Becky - August 18, 2010 8:35 AM
Good point, I always like to have Sharpies handy, I am adding that to my list of things to buy!
Posted by: momAgenda - August 18, 2010 10:24 AM
I have some stationery, too, for a quick note. Also, I added a 12 folder filing box so I can avoid a paperwork pile in my kitchen. Each kid has a folder for school, then folders for receipts, activities, info, etc. I added a card to the front with each child's lunch code so when I send checks in I don't have to dig their account numbers out.
Posted by: Caroline Brant - August 18, 2010 3:49 PM
This is awesome! Is it crazy that I'm going to put together one on my dining room cabinet (kitchen has no space) using your picture? Bet this saves me a lot of headaches this school year (instead of having to run to the basement for envelopes as we are trying to get out the door...)
Posted by: Metro DC Mom - August 18, 2010 3:51 PM
I want one too!!! think i'm going to go work on that now. Reorganizing my kitchen has been on my list for a couple of weeks anyway!! Thanks for the motivation!
Posted by: danielle m - August 18, 2010 4:08 PM
Ditto the fiel folders - I don't have enough room for a hanging file box (though I would love it) so we have a tiered (three compartment) hanging one on the side wall by our mini office - I suppose you could also put it inside a cabinet above - never thought about that...
Posted by: Eva - September 16, 2010 12:55 PM
Oh, this is great! I have the identical space you do (and the office that will do me no good on school mornings!), right down to the phone. I think I'm going to print this post out and take it to the store with me!
Posted by: Ashley @ My Front Porch Swing - July 14, 2011 10:53 AM
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