“Junk just creeps into our lives a little bit at a time,” says Dawn Dwyer, a personal productivity expert and author of the video program, How to De-Junk Your Life. From those funny but useless desk gizmos you got at the last convention to the broken keyboard leaning in the corner, this unnecessary stuff takes up space, gets in the way and reduces your effectiveness.

Dwyer’s No. 1 rule for de-junking your space: “If you don’t use it, dump it!” To help you reclaim your office space, start by eliminating the most common space-wasters.

1. Obsolete or broken equipment
If you can’t use it, you don’t need it, whether it’s a broken paper clip or a broken computer printer.
2. Desk accessories you don’t use
No matter how professional they look or expensive they were, they’re wasting space if you don’t use them.
3. Excess office furniture
This includes shelving you never use, chairs no one sits in or a credenza you “inherited.” A tip from Dwyer: If you occasionally need an extra chair, keep a folding chair in a closet or out of sight. Haul it out only when you want someone to sit. That way, you control who stays and who doesn’t. This is also a great way to discourage coworkers who like to drop by to talk … and talk … and talk.
4. Souvenirs
Either showcase them professionally, preferably behind glass where they don’t get dusty, or get rid of them.
5. Computer clutter
Computer manuals still in the shrink wrap, CD-roms, odd sizes of paper you rarely use, unlabeled “mystery” diskettes and other computer paraphernalia can take up needed space. Stow it all in one place, eliminating items you no longer use.
6. Homey touches and “cutesy” decorative items
Your work space isn’t your family room at home. A couple of family photos are fine, but too many personal items detract from the professional image you want to project.
7. Old sticky notes
Some work areas could pass for sticky note factories. Keep them to a minimum and toss them when you’re finished with them.
8. Anything unnecessary that slows down your effectiveness
Be ruthless with your discards as you weed out unneeded stuff.

“Look at what’s left in your space and decide the best way to arrange it to fit your needs,” Dwyer advises. “Carefully evaluate where to place your furniture, and make sure the overall arrangement fits your work assignment and your work style.”

The next step is to make a list of anything you need to make your freshly de-junked workspace more effective, Dwyer recommends. The following space-saving tools can be invaluable.

6 Terrific Space-Savers:

1. Vertical wall-storage units for your paper files
2. A wall-mount telephone
3. A telephone headset
4. Hot pockets or hot files that attach to the wall (rather than clutter your desk)
5. Hanging picture frames
6. Bulletin boards

When it comes to organizing your work space for optimum effectiveness, “one size does not fit all,” Dwyer concludes. Choose the arrangement and tools that will make you most productive and effective – and keep that wastebasket within arm’s length!