Working as part of an SME (small and medium-sized enterprise/business) can get seriously hectic and cluttered sometimes – especially if you’re low on space.

Whether you’re a one-person operation, working from home, or operating from a small workspace, you’ll know that amidst the paperwork, stock and general business detritus it can often feel like you’re drowning – which is just no good for your enterprise!

Running a small business can be stressful at the best of times. But when the clutter piles up, those feelings of stress and anxiety can rise.

Not only does locating that crucial document take twice as long, but important tasks can slip through the cracks and the happiness of everyone working in your messy space can take a serious knock – impacting both morale and productivity.

Keeping your small business uncluttered and organised really can make all the difference to your working life. If you’re keen to get decluttering, we’ve come up with some indispensable storage space boosting solutions to help make life just a little less messy.

1) Embrace vertical space

Your space may be limited, but there are lots of ways to maximise what you’ve got. If you’ve run out of cupboard and desk space, it’s time to start embracing vertical space. Shelves and storage units are simple to install on your walls and will dramatically increase how much storage space you have to work with. Just make sure you have a safe step ladder for you and your co-workers to use to avoid the risk of accidents.

2) Have a “Throwaway Thursday”

…Or a “Waste Wednesday,” or even a “Freshen Up Friday.” Make sure you know exactly when your waste and recycling is collected locally, then dedicate 30 minutes of company time to getting rid of anything unnecessary the day before collection. Keep this up every week and you’ll be amazed by how much easier it is to stay on top of clutter.

3) Get labelling

Of course, you can’t throw everything away. Once you’ve scanned, shredded and recycled everything you can, there will still be plenty of essential bits and pieces that you’ll need to keep. That means it’s time to get organised and crack out your label-maker or post-it notes. Assigning a clear location for different items with labels/post-its will ensure that your workspace stays shipshape. Labelling each spot will mean there’s no need for anybody to cause a kerfuffle when rummaging in search of a particular document, cutting down on fresh mess too!

4) Choose furniture carefully

When you’re just starting out or working with a small budget, it’s easy to fall into the trap of taking the first free or cheap pieces of office furniture that come along, but choosing more carefully can really pay off – especially if you’re low on space. The more drawers and storage nooks your office furniture has, the better, giving you lots of extra space to stash your stuff.

5) Use a secure storage space

Even with all four of these tips ticking over, many SMEs still run out of room, especially if they’re trying to accommodate stock. When your office reaches tipping point, it’s time to start exploring conveniently located, secure storage spaces. These spaces will keep stock and any bulky, non-essential items safe as houses while also keeping your workspace blissfully clear and uncluttered.

Have you come up with any smart storage solutions for your SME? Share your ideas below and don’t forget to check out Easystore’s affordable SME storage solutions in Cardiff and Bridgend in the UK today!