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Paperless Home Offices Show Reams of Style
If pesky piles of paper are ruining your interior design — not to mention a forest or two — it may be time to take the paperless plunge
By now I'm sure you've heard the phrase "going paperless." When I first heard this term, I used to envision some sort of future alternate world where robots ruled (insane but true). I have come to know that a paperless lifestyle is efficient and organized (anything but stark and bare). But the fact is, the paperless home or paperless office is going to look different for everyone.
Going paperless might mean you opt to switch to using Google Calendar instead of your paper planner. Or it could mean receiving all of your bills by email instead of snail mail. And even though I've wanted to rely less on paper in my own home office, I've never committed 100%. I use an online calendar but still receive paper bills. And my receipts (while filed) are overwhelming, existing as write-offs for my business.
So in 2012, I've decided to go closer to paperless by replacing my "To File" folder with a "To Scan" folder. I also invested in a Fujitsu Scan Snap Scanner for all the paperwork that I need to keep for tax purposes. So please join me as I explore ways in which we can rely less on paper and make more room for clutter-free style.
Going paperless might mean you opt to switch to using Google Calendar instead of your paper planner. Or it could mean receiving all of your bills by email instead of snail mail. And even though I've wanted to rely less on paper in my own home office, I've never committed 100%. I use an online calendar but still receive paper bills. And my receipts (while filed) are overwhelming, existing as write-offs for my business.
So in 2012, I've decided to go closer to paperless by replacing my "To File" folder with a "To Scan" folder. I also invested in a Fujitsu Scan Snap Scanner for all the paperwork that I need to keep for tax purposes. So please join me as I explore ways in which we can rely less on paper and make more room for clutter-free style.
by Atypical Type A
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For starters, take a look around your home. Check out your home office, the entryway and the countertops. How great would it feel if all that paperwork were to vanish? There would be a reduced chance of misplacing important bills, and you wouldn't be scrambling to find stamps to mail late paperwork.
And can you imagine a world without a file cabinet or file box? In this picture, the file cabinet towers over the desk. A beautiful plant or just open space would be a more serene option to have if the paperwork in this home were online.
And can you imagine a world without a file cabinet or file box? In this picture, the file cabinet towers over the desk. A beautiful plant or just open space would be a more serene option to have if the paperwork in this home were online.
While I like the idea of getting rid of all that paper, I really love the idea of living a more mobile life. That means operating my business from any room in the house without leaving a trail of paper. And traveling would be a cinch, as I wouldn't have to worry about asking a friend to grab my mail or panic about the unopened bills piling up.
by Shirley Meisels
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With rooms that pull double duty, it's even more important to keep paper and files at bay. This home office can get away with functioning as a spare room because there's no paper to clutter up the space.
by Kaylovesvintage
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A lot of folks who aren't even tech savvy are taking the paperless plunge because it's a more ecofriendly option. Less paper means great things for the environment — making the switch a more mindful choice. Not to mention lots of companies are now offering incentives for customers to receive bills online and serving up penalties to those who don't.
by MuseInteriors
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One of the best reasons for disorganized folks to get onboard with the paperless movement: Paper piles aren't searchable, but your computer files are. Once your paperwork is cataloged online, finding it is a breeze with a quick keyword search.
by Emily Ruddo
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Maybe you have some reservations about going paperless. Here are some common concerns.
• Loss of control. What if you can't find what you're looking for?
• Is virtual storage (like "the cloud") secure?
• What if there was a disaster, and the power goes out?
These are all things to consider when deciding to what extent you want paper out of you life. I'll also be addressing these points in future ideabooks.
• Loss of control. What if you can't find what you're looking for?
• Is virtual storage (like "the cloud") secure?
• What if there was a disaster, and the power goes out?
These are all things to consider when deciding to what extent you want paper out of you life. I'll also be addressing these points in future ideabooks.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Similar to getting organized, you'll want to have realistic expectations when thinking about going paperless. If you don't plan toss the papers once they're scanned, your new system won't work. And even if you request every bill reminder to come by way of email, know that there is a level of maintenance involved.
Finally, no home will ever be completely paperless. You're bound to still get some mail and random papers coming in. And there are some documents for which a physical copy is absolutely necessary. Luckily those are few.
Finally, no home will ever be completely paperless. You're bound to still get some mail and random papers coming in. And there are some documents for which a physical copy is absolutely necessary. Luckily those are few.
by SFGIRLBYBAY
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It's important to think about these things and pinpoint why you want to go paperless. I encourage you to take the plunge with me and use the Comments section to ask questions and gain support from folks looking to do the same thing.
More:
Meet Your Desk: How to Create a Workspace That Works
Home Offices That Make You Want to Take Care of Business
28 Great Real-Life Home Offices
More:
Meet Your Desk: How to Create a Workspace That Works
Home Offices That Make You Want to Take Care of Business
28 Great Real-Life Home Offices
Ideabook updated on March 1, 2012.
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But as for the scanner it works perfectly - and the portability and size is great.