We’ve worked through bedrooms, wardrobes, living spaces, bathrooms, laundries… all the high traffic areas of the home. Now we’re at the bits that don’t really have a category. The in-between spaces and organising multi-purpose spaces.
The “office” that’s really the end of the dining table. The chair in the bedroom that’s… technically not for clothes, but we all know how that goes.
The under-stairs cupboard that started organised and now holds a very random mix of life. And honestly? These are the spaces that make or break how your home feels day-to-day.
Because whether your workspace is a full room or just a corner you’ve claimed, it’s not about size. It’s about whether it actually works for you.
Let’s Talk About Where Work Actually Happens
Most people don’t have a picture-perfect office. They’re working from wherever they can, the lounge, the bedroom, the kitchen table between meals. That’s real life. What matters more is asking the right questions.
- What keeps ending up in a pile?
- What are you actually doing in that space?
- What’s the thing that quietly annoys you every single day?
Because when your space matches your real routine, not the one you think you should have, things start to feel easier. Not perfect, just… smoother.
Even in a tiny setup, a bit of structure goes a long way. Nothing fancy. Just a sense of zones. Somewhere for what you’re working on right now, somewhere for the things you reach for often, and somewhere for the “I’ll deal with it later” pile (because we all have one right?)
If this isn’t something that is already in place, then it’s likely you’re already facing that constant shuffle of moving things, just to sit down, then moving them again five minutes later to find that permission slip from last week that was due yesterday.
And then there’s paper. Always paper. Which then like an invasive species, it multiplies. Bills, forms, school notes, things to sign, things you meant to deal with last week. It somehow ends up on every flat surface in the house or shoved in a nook until the nook is exploding.
None of us are immune from these things, and they can be frustrating to the point of distraction. This is where I come in. It doesn’t have to be a big home appointment that you need to prepare for. I can meet you virtually in a calm space for you whether its for a Virtual Declutter or an EFT Session.
Setting Up Surfaces to Serve You
This is where having a simple “Action Station” changes things. Not a big filing system. Not something complicated. Just one spot for anything that needs something from you; to pay, sign, respond to or investigate later.
The key part? Put it where the pile already happens.
If everything lands on the kitchen bench, start there. If it’s the dining table, use that. You’re not trying to force a perfect system straight away; you’re working with what’s already happening in your home. You can always move it later once it sticks.
A practical action station on the bench or a high traffic area can be a game changer
Same goes for your desk setup. If space is tight (which it usually is), the best thing you can do is think vertically.
Walls are wildly underused. A couple of simple shelves from IKEA, or even something from Bunnings, can clear your desk almost instantly. Suddenly the stuff you need is within reach, but not in your way.
And desks collect clutter fast. You start with a clear space and within days it’s covered in cords, receipts, random stationery, kids’ drawings, things that don’t belong there but somehow stayed.
This is where the small stuff matters. Containers, dividers, giving things a rough “home.” Not perfectly labelled, just enough that you’re not constantly hunting for things or pushing stuff aside to make space.
Even cables. Boring, yes. But when they’re everywhere, it adds to that low-level chaos feeling. Tidy them up and the whole space feels calmer. For power boards it can be a life saver to have a label maker or a good sharpie and label which cord is for what so when you’re turning things on and off , you’re choosing the right cable.
It doesn’t need to be picture perfect – just practical and useful.
The Spaces That Don’t Know What They Are (Yet)
We’ve all got the weird spaces. The ones that don’t quite fit anything. Under the stairs. That narrow hallway. The space that’s too small for furniture but too awkward to ignore.
These are usually the spots that get neglected… or become dumping zones. But they’re actually some of the most useful spaces in the house when you give them a purpose.
Under the stairs doesn’t have to be a black hole of storage. It can be pull-out drawers, a mini pantry, a toy room, even a small desk setup if the height works. It doesn’t need to be fancy to be functional.
Entryways and sometimes hallways tend to become drop zones whether you like it or not. Bags, shoes, keys, random bits. A slim console or some hooks can catch all of that before it spreads to the kitchen bench.
Alcoves and nooks are one of those things people get stuck on, but they’re actually ideal for small, contained setups. A bit of shelving, a compact desk, even a reading spot with storage underneath. It’s working with intention.
And those dead corners? They don’t need to stay dead. A tall, narrow unit or corner shelving from somewhere like Howards Storage World or IKEA can turn that “nothing space” into something that actually pulls its weight. You can display those gorgeous little LEGO bouquets or opt for doors to hide away precious items or kids craft items.
This fold out bookshelf from Ikea is a really smart addition to a kids room or corner for homework and crafting
That’s really the goal with all of this organising multi-purpose spaces and making your space earn its keep.
A entryway table that holds shoes inside but still works as a landing spot. A window seat that hides blankets or toys. A desk that can disappear when you’re done with it. Most homes don’t have extra space and what you do have needs to work a little harder.
None of this needs to be perfect. That’s the part people get stuck on. You don’t need a magazine finished home. You just need things to function in a way that makes your day easier.
So, start with whatever’s bothering you most right now. The paper pile. The messy desk. That one corner that’s become a dumping ground.
Fix that one thing, then build from there. Because it’s usually not the big transformations that change how your home feels, it’s these small, overlooked spaces finally doing what they’re meant to do. And when that happens, everything just flows a bit better.
Remember, you don’t need to tackle this alone. A Virtual Session can get you underway with ideas on how to use these spaces for effectively.
You can always reach out to me with the Contact Me page, or call me 0422 490 131
I am also on Instagram and Facebook, and you can join my Facebook Group for free decluttering hints and tips.