Paper Organization
This post may contain affiliate links.
We are talking about Paper Organization tips today!
Each day, papers and emails come into my life from various sources. It is a never-ending cycle. It is difficult for me to be productive if I see papers all over the place, so I have established a paper organization system with a spot for all incoming items.
It took a while to become a habit, but this paper organization system really works for me.
Establishing a Command Station
When I am at home, I spend a lot of my time in the kitchen so this is where the paper organization center starts. It is really important to determine a place in your home for a command center.
Establish the center in a place where you open mail, review the correspondence and that is an area you can access often. I have a small command center on a counter. My goal is to keep all of the information that comes in organized and accessible for future action while keeping a little paper as necessary.
Paper Organization
When I open the mail, items are either filed immediately or read and thrown away. If I need to keep the paper for future action, I file it in a folder. My folders include the following: Food Ads, Coupons, Unpaid Bills, Events/Entertainment, and Receipts, to name a few.
If I only need to glean bits of information from the incoming paper, I will take a photo with my phone and toss out the paper version. If the item is a document I will need for taxes or future use, it is filed in a filing cabinet in another room. If the item requires a response or payment, it is filed under unpaid bills so that I can respond later.
To the left of this file box are binders for the major projects in my life. The binders are great because these projects require more storage space than a file folder offers.
These binders include Household Information, Organized Island and My Parents. My parents are on in years and I keep medical and treatment records to help manage their health. I use other binders as well, but not as often, so I do not need to keep them in the kitchen. This is valuable kitchen property, so I try not to waste it.
Binder Organization
Binders can be changed up to match decor and can be organized any way you like. I appreciate this flexibility because the user can determine how they categorize the information.
Save The Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox+ you’ll receive all our newest recipes
This system allows me to:
- Keep information organized and accessible
- Keep as little paper as possible
- Keep my kitchen counters clear of clutter
- Purge papers on a regular basis
Some of the binders I maintain are for:
- School Work
- Activities/Sports
- Blog Management
- Recipes
- Travel Planning
I like to buy the white binders and insert scrapbook paper on the front and sides to personalize. You can even change up the decorative paper once in a while!
I also recommend a desk caddy like this one. I got mine at TJ Maxx, but you can find similar ones here and here.
See how I manage bill paying and tax information below:
What system do you use to organize your incoming papers? If you liked this post, please share it.
For more great organizing tips for your home, check out:
Kitchen Pantry Organization – How I organize my pantry.
How to Organize Keepsakes – Tips on what to keep and how to store those keepsakes.
Organizing Rubber Stamps – Great tips on organizing rubber stamps and other small craft supplies.
Such a GREAT post… and it’s so needed. i’m waiting on my organization system to arrive, but hoping that will help on the paper end… 😉
Thank you Jamie for stopping by Jamie – less papers = more time! 🙂
Hi Jamie,
Where did you find the kitchen center?? I assume you found something close because you said you are waiting for it to arrive. It does seem like a perfect system. Thanks
What a great post! You have inspired me!! I will have a command center by this weekend!! I have something now – but your tips will make it better! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my site. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Nicole! It just takes a little while to put together but is SO worth it!
I am absolutely doing this! My current organization system is non-existent! It’s a complete mess and overwhelms me. I deserve a gold star if I can get my husband to learn & FOLLOW the system. Thanks for the tip. Visiting from SITS. Andrea @ be-quoted.com
Thanks for stopping by Andrea! It really helps!
I agree, great idea! I too am going to work on this & try to have it up & going by the weekend. So totally identify with your comment about the husband!! Old dog, new tricks comes to mind!! He’s a doll, but is resistant sometimes to tr-training! lol
Sorry, “re-training”!!
I so need to be better about reading mail and throwing out and sorting. It looks like the paper factory blew up in here!
Too funny! Thank you for stopping by Alexis.
I so need this! My papers are everywhere 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Patty!
My current organizational goal is training my husband to throw away the junk mail. He always says he wasn’t sure if I wanted to see it!?!?! Honey? I don’t need an AARP application, but thanks!!
LOL! Totally with you on the AARP application! 🙂
Found you from SITS and I think this is a great idea. It’s much better than my current system of throwing it in a paper tray and hoping that it disappears over night.
Thanks for stopping by Melissa! It really helps me.
Ohh I so need to organize my papers, I finally this year bought a small calendar to write down and remember all the automatic payments that come out of my checking account so that I can make sure there is enough in there, and stop paying those we are pulling from here to cover over here.
I am with you on the calendars Sonia. I have to write everything down. Happy Weekend!
Great post, I always like to hear how people manage to organise themselves. The amount of times I let my paperwork build up before I get to filing things away. I need to get a system together that suits me I think…
Happy sharefestI
Kate
Yes, people have to find a system that works for them. There are different systems and I think you have to find one you can make a habit. Thanks for stopping by!
I try not to have a lot of paper products…. we pay a lot of our bills online, so I don’t get a lot of paper bills anymore. Anything tax related goes in the file folder, and almost everything else gets shredded!
Yes, I agree electronic bills and online payments really help reduce paper clutter.
I don’t really use any system to organize my papers. Which isn’t good. But I love yours!!
Thanks for stopping by Tracie. I hope you can make it work for you. I appreciate your comment.
What do u think about scanning instead of filing most paper?
I tend to use my phone as a scanner because it is convenient. My scanner is in another room but I do use it for some things. Scanned items still need to be categorized and purged so it really depends on the document and how long I need to keep it as to whether I will scan it. Great question!
Such a great post! If you don’t stay on top of paper, it will take over! Great system you have created. Thanks for sharing it!
Tabby
http://www.shoppingwives.com
I agree Tabitha! Thanks for stopping by!
This is AMAZING. I so need to start (did you notice the word ‘start’?) to do something like this. I’d love to have you share this at What to Do Weekends. That will keep someone busy on the weekends, until they get in the “habit” huh? Best wishes, Linda
http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/01/heart-wreaths-for-valentines-day-plus.html
Start is a great word! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh this is SO inspiring. I have a section in my kitchen that needs this! 🙂
So happy to inspire Linda! It really works!
Thanks so much for the tip! My papers always end up in a pile on the kitchen counter and never make its way over to the office – so it totally makes sense to throw or file it right away in the kitchen!
Thanks for stopping by Grace – glad you found it helpful!
I am proud of you – especially the binder with Mom & Dad’s records! Way to go, Sis!
Thanks Albert! You’re the best brother!
Hi! Where did you get your organizer? The wooden container? Thanks! Kadi
Yes! Are you willing to share where you purchased that GREAT organizer, please!?!? Thank you for the wonderful ideas!
Yes, of course Jenn, it was from Home Goods and I think it was around $10 or so.
Thank you! I will have to check it out to see if they still carry it. 🙂
A wonderful post! You are a super organised lady for sure!! I love organising too, but just from the layout of your Blog I can tell you are a pro.
Love the Blog and the posts, going to keep checking out the recipes….
Jeanine
So nice to meet you! Thanks for visiting Jeanine!
Visiting from SITS, I have an organizer like that on my counter but like your tabs, I have some of the same but will be adding the others.
Sounds like you have a system that works! Love that Dana!
I love the visuals in this post, getting to look at your system is great. If I was there I’d want to pick up one of those binders to see how you organize those. Do you three hole punch everything? Maybe you did another post you could link to with the inside.
Thanks for the tips. I have a low wide two drawer filing cabinet that makes a great tabletop for my papers. : )
I should do a post on the inside of the binders. Yes I hole punch most of the items or keep them in pockets. He he…at least you have a cabinet. Thanks for stopping by Aruna!
Ugh! Paper. The ever present mess. I’ve worked out a few parts of my system, still taming a few others. Looks like you’ve got a great system. Maybe one or two of your ideas can help me finish up my system.
Thanks for sharing.
I am glad that you found something helpful here Robin. Thanks for stopping by!
Your comment luv isn’t picking up my post so here it is for today. http://www.eaglesclawsanctuary.com/2013/03/19/reading-my-novel-aloud/
Thanks for the information about using binders and immediately dealing with mail. Enjoy your Sits Day.
Thank you Sheila…hmmm wonder what happened. I appreciate you stopping by!
Happy SITS Day! Well, at least I manage to throw out the junk mail as soon as it gets in…and I keep the kindergartener’s stuff in a magazine holder in the pantry. But my “important” papers just have a little stack in the pantry jumbled up together. Maybe I’ll try the binder thing.
visiting from http://stlmotherhood.com/ (I hate it when Comment Luv goes down!)
Hi Denise! Thanks for stopping by! Yes Commentluv is acting up..gotta check it out and add that to my list. 🙂
I try to deal with papers and either trash or file them right away, but sometimes there are things that need to stay on the back burner for a while. We are planning our new kitchen, and I’m having two paper slots (kind of like mail bins in an office) under the desk/cabinet area – so papers are not everywhere but they are within reach and in my line of vision so I don’t forget about them.
Oh I love the idea of paper slots! Congrats (in advance) on your new kitchen. How fun to plan it!
I like your idea of the folders…I am in the process of trying to figure out what the best system is for us in the kitchen! That might just work!!
Thanks Michelle, yes finding out what will work for you is key so that you can maintain it. Appreciate you stopping by!
I consider myself fairly organized until it comes to paper clutter and then I just can’t pull it together. I love the binder idea and used to keep a basket for bills as they arrived. I think I need to go back to that
Sometimes it is hard when the papers keep coming at ya! Thank you for stopping by!
Happy SITS!
I am inspired! I have so much… paper around. The accordion file just isn’t doing it anymore! I really need to, at least, get a mail caddy.
The mail caddy works great. I just do not like seeing piles. Thank you for your sweet comment!
I really need to do something like this, however, I’m just not sure if I’d follow through with it 😉 LOL
Yes, the key is to find which method will work for you. Thank you for stopping by Jamie!
This is a great idea! I want to incorporate this into my own organization.
Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
Great ideas. I’ve been meaning to get one of those organizer stations. I love the binder idea too. I have just the spot in the kitchen for this. Thanks!
Yes, kitchen space is prime property! Hope you find a spot. 🙂
What great ideas!! I love the binders idea- and changing the covers to add to the house decor! That is awesome! Happy SITS day!
Thank you Chris! They really help!
I have a paper center in my kitchen also, but it is a lot smaller and I have mine hanging on the wall, because I do not have much cabinet space. I like the binders you use.
Happy SITS Day!!
Thanks Laura – your hanging system sounds great!
I’m so envious of your organization system… seriously, so envious…
he he…thanks!
Brilliant! You’ve given me the perfect way to organize myself when I finally get to move back in with my fiance! 🙂 thank you thank you thank you!
You are welcome and Thank YOU for stopping by Cassandra!
Great post! Stopping by from SITS.I like the folder idea. Thanks!
Thank you Adrienn!
I’ve got this kind of system going pretty well in my home – now I just need to replicate it in my office!
Yes, see what will work best for you. You will love not seeing the piles.
Great ideas! Happy SITS Day!
Thank you!
I really struggle with mail piling up. Thanks for these wonderful tips! I’m going to try harder to stay organized and this will surely help!
Thank you Jackie! I am glad you find them helpful!
Great ideas! I hate my paper overflow. Happy SITS day, late 🙂
Thank you for stopping by Jean!
I need to do something like this. Usually mail sits on the counter for a while until it gets sorted and then eventually makes it to the office and one day it gets filed.
I wish I could be HALF as organized as you are, Raquel!
Oh I am sure you are Rachel! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Love how pretty and organized your command center is. You’ve won the battle with paper clutter in such style. Congrats, you’re featured this week on Simple Organization Ideas – The Best of the Best at Organized 31.
Thank you so much Susan – you made my day!
Great ideas! I’m swimming in paper right now and need to get it under control before the holidays. xo
I know the feeling!