How to get a cute and tidy cubicle

Click here to view before and after images of Natalie's office makeover.

Step 2: Create a workflow system
"Look at the way you're working," advises Gee. "What kind of information comes in? What do you need to hold on to? How do you need to deal with it? And finally, how can you eliminate it?" Asking yourself these questions, she explains, will help you to create a workflow system. Referring specifically to my office overhaul, Gee explains that's why she used pretty vertical sorters from Indigo on my desk. "You're a visual person," she says. "That means that the categories and the regular projects that you're working on have to be very visible, right in front of you."

Step 3: Get the right tools
The tools you need will depend on your line of work, but whatever you do, create an infrastructure that works for you and addresses your daily needs. "The biggest mistake people make is to buy the storage or organizing tools before they think through what their needs really are," says Gee. "Once you've analyzed what you need in your workspace, then start thinking about what kind of storage you need." Some suggestions include storage drawers and multimedia boxes, which offer stylish and serviceable storage for loose papers and letterhead. The storage boxes can also serve as in-and-out trays. Vertical sorters, desk trays and file-folder holders are also useful tools for keeping papers organized and easily accessible.

Step 4: Create a filing system
Again, the system you need to put in place will depend on the kind of work you do. But once you've established a viable filing strategy, be sure to label and categorize things appropriately. For example, Gee insisted that I label every file folder and mark boxes with tags reading "letterhead," "press kits," "magazines," "CD-ROMs," etc. Now, there's a clearly labelled home for everything that comes across my desk.

With Gee's help, my office is not only bright and inviting, but unbelievably efficient, too. I find that I work smarter, not harder, and the rewards are worth the effort involved. I can't imagine returning to the disorderly disaster that was once my office space -- here's hoping!