Ever since we moved here, our office has pretty much been set up the same old way…. the last few weeks, we decided it was time for a change, thanks to a bit of motivation from Fellowes who sent us a few ergonomic, organizational products. We’ve gradually been making changes over the last few weeks, and it’s finally finished!
In the every day, I’m really seeking to be more organized and efficient with every single thing I do. I know Dan feels the same way, even though we both have completely different definitions of the word organized. We’re both a little cluttered (we just like to have all our stuff right there, ready to use), and we both have our own styles and tastes. So, how did we incorporate all of our similarities and differences to make one unique, efficient, running home office? Well, we both essentially have our “sides” of the office. Mine is very colorful….I feel like color gives me energy, and it makes a place feel warm, cozy, and just like home. Dan is colorful, but of course, from a more masculine point of view. Even though our two “sides” are decidedly different, we managed to bring them together in one room….and it works for us.
So, here is before…. as you can see, it was somewhat of a mess. Our desks were piled to the hilt with junk and clutter, and it was honestly so hard to focus. My side….
Dan’s side….
Dan didn’t have near enough space; he had one tiny shelf, which was starting to bow. My back was to the door, which I did not like….I actually have a tiny school area in here for Jaden too, and my back was constantly to him. Even the curtains were very drab and way too dark; must have more light.
I’m not sure how we functioned, but we did.
Now to show you how we completely made over each side of our office. We completely turned my desk around and moved the file cabinet next to the outside wall. This left the window open, making the room feel significantly larger. 
We put up a new window treatment, along with a new curtain rod we bought off clearance at Lowes. 
I took my old, brown lamp and recovered it with fabric and paint. 
I also covered my corkboards with fabric (craft/diy posts to come later). 
With small containers, baskets, and trays that I already had or that I bought here and there, mostly on dollar or clearance racks or with coupons, it’s easy to add splashes of color to the office. 
I like to have soft lighting too, so I added another lamp to my desk, as well as the same stringed globe lights along the bottom of my shelf (I told you I like color….). The lamp is in the perfect spot to shine down on Jaden’s little table too, so he has extra light for crafting and all the things he likes to do.
Photographs, flowers, and other pictures help to add the touch of home.
Jaden’s school area is also organized with his little table facing my desk now, so we can see each other, talk to each other…. and I’m able to help him and see what he’s doing at all times. We even have a spot to hang some of the kids’ art projects, changing them out every so often. 
Also, I have my handy dandy Fellowes P-12C Shredder sitting under my desk within arm’s reach. I can’t tell you how often I use this shredder. It’s probably the most useful tool in my office, and it’s kinda addicting.
Dan’s desk is what I’m most excited about in this room. He really decluttered, cleaned out, and arranged it how it suited his taste. 
He used two Fellowes Smart Suite Corner Monitor Risers to raise his monitors off the desk, leaving room underneath to slide his keyboard under or store other things, so he has deskspace to work on projects. 
The risers are quite sturdy and support monitors up to 21″. They are meant for the corner but work quite well for against the wall, as well, in his case. 
He also is now using the Fellowes Keyboard Palm Support with Microban Protection. This helps to make his wrists much more comfortable while he’s typing away.
It has a contoured shape and self-adjusting Memory Foam support. It doesn’t slide either.
Dan also added a larger shelf, along with a side shelf that meets the larger shelf in the corner. 
We got him a few organizational boxes/baskets/drawers to help keep his stuff organized and in place. It’s so much easier to put stuff away when you have somewhere easy to stow it. His airplane still flies above his desk, but we added other decorative items to help give his space a sense of home….only in a more masculine sense.
We also added our biz docs to the wall in nice frames, and my fave wall art above them that says simply, “Dream.” Knowing that a dream is where success begins….this just felt so perfect. 
Lastly, we’d been saving for chairs, as mine falls to the floor every time I get up/sit back down, and a few nights ago, Dan’s went to pieces. So, we figured it was time; it was a sign. I’m so excited to work in this office now….it feels professional, but it still feels like home.
What I’m really excited about is the HUGE giveaway that you could possibly win! One MamaBuzz reader will win a complete package of home office products from Fellowes, including the P-12C Paper Shredder, a Mouse Pad/Wrist Support with Microban Protection, a Keyboard Palm Support with Microban Protection, a Laptop GoRiser, and a Smart Suites Corner Monitor Riser. Please leave a comment (see below) to enter, but then be sure to leave a separate comment for each optional way that you enter. This giveaway will end on Tuesday, March 13. The winner will be chosen, via random.org. This giveaway is open to U.S. only (void where prohibited). No purchase is necessary, and the odds of winning are based on a number of entries. Good luck, and have a wonderful day!
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(Disclosure: I received 2 monitor risers and a keyboard support, free of charge, from Fellowes, for the purposes of review/home office organization. All views/opinions remain solely my own.)
