Q: I have always considered myself an organized person. Most of my house is organized. But for some reason, the home office in one of the bedrooms is a MESS (design and clutter) and I can't seem to get on top of it. I need help to organize this critical space which now serves as a home office, a guest room and extra TV viewing area. Do you have a suggestion?

Daryl: It’s good to read that you’re basically an organized person and that most of your house is organized—that should give you heart and hope with your home office situation. I wish, as you do, that a room makeover person would show up to discuss ideas and solutions with you.  Sometimes all it takes is a person with a fresh look and new ideas to provide the inspiration.

I’ve given your situation considerable thought the past several days and feel that I’m operating “blind” inasmuch as I haven’t seen the room.  As a result, my suggestions may miss the mark entirely, but I’ll pass them on for whatever they’re worth. 

Multi-purpose rooms can work well, but it sounds like your room has more than its share of functions: office, guest room, TV, room.  That is lots of people and stuff to deal with.  No wonder you’re struggling.  Nevertheless, almost any situation can be improved, so here goes my list. (It’s likely that you’ve done all this and more, but hopefully there may be an idea or two that could serve you.)

Completely “dejunk” the room so there’s “nothing in it that you do not consider to be useful or perceive to be beautiful.”  (William Morris)  

Invite, encourage, reward good habits by those who use the room: no littering, no cluttering, everything in its place.

Create “homes” for everything—maximize space with closet organizers, book shelves, filing cabinet, cabinets with drawer dividers, waste baskets, in/out boxes on desk, under bed storage, etc. so everything has a place and then keep things in their homes/places.   Look at magazines and catalogs for create/clever space utilization.  Lowe’s (home builder store) publishes an excellent, free catalog with inexpensive design and organizing features.

Help family members realize that the tighter the space, the neater one has to be if they want comfort and convenience rather than chaos.

Invest in furniture that is either built-in or designed for small spaces—desk that fits tight against the wall, day bed that can be a bed at night and a sofa in the daytime, chairs with storage areas under seat, etc. 

We have lived in both Holland and Hong Kong, two of the world’s most crowded places, and found people doing amazing things to make their tiny,

crowded homes work well.  Two stores that specialize in small-scale, highly functional furniture and accessories are IKEA (originated in Sweden) and THE CONTAINER STORE (originated in the US.)  They’re both quite amazing.   One or both may be near you; if not, check the Internet for their catalogs.

Invest in an attractive screen so that one of the areas, either the office/guest room/TV room, could be partially enclosed, thus giving a feeling of separateness.

Most of our Utah homes have basement areas where we can store seldom-used items.  If you don’t have a basement, is there space in your yard for a pre-fabricated storage shed?  These sheds come in various sizes, styles and prices.  There may be one that would work for you. 

Much success to you!  I know how important that organized, “in control” feeling is in your home.  Please write back, letting me know what you’ve found that has helped you so I can pass it on to others.