Self Storage In Exeter For Remote Working Spaces

March 24, 2026     Organisation

Is your home office holding you back? Do you find yourself losing focus because your workspace doubles as a storage room?

With remote and hybrid working now a major part of UK life, millions of people are struggling to create productive workspaces in homes that simply weren’t designed for it. Personal storage in Exeter offers a simple, affordable solution that can transform your cluttered spare room into a focused, professional home office.

At Your Store Exeter, we’ve helped hundreds of remote workers and small business owners reclaim their space and their productivity. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to clear out your remote working area and create an environment where you can actually get things done.

Separate Your ‘Work’ From Your ‘Home’

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 28% of UK workers now work in a hybrid pattern, while a further percentage work fully remotely. The UK leads Europe with workers averaging 1.8 days per week working from home – higher than any other European nation, according to research from King’s College London and Stanford University.

So if you’re working from home for the long haul, it’s time to stop treating your workspace as temporary, which is why it’s important to set up a dedicated workspace for the hours that you work, with a proper desk, chair and internet connection!

If you don’t have a room that you could transform into an office, try and use a space that you don’t associate as ‘home’ – this might be in a corner of the kitchen that you don’t use from day to day. We’d recommend anywhere apart from your bedroom or living room area as these are the two most personal and family-oriented spaces in the home.

Why A Cluttered Workspace Is Killing Your Productivity

We’ve all heard the phrase “tidy space, tidy mind” – but did you know there’s serious science behind it?

Your cluttered home office isn’t just annoying – it’s actively working against your health, focus, and productivity. For more information, read our article on how storage space can improve your wellbeing.

Simple Steps To Clear Out Your Remote Working Area

Whether you’re a freelancer working from your bedroom, a small business owner juggling stock and paperwork, or a corporate employee on a permanent hybrid arrangement, these five steps will help you create a workspace that actually works.

Step 1: Declutter without mercy

You cannot organise chaos. Before you buy fancy storage solutions or rearrange furniture, you need to get rid of what doesn’t belong in your workspace.

Ask yourself three questions about every item:
1. Have I used this for work in the last 3 months?
2. Does this help me do my job better?
3. Would I miss this if it disappeared tomorrow?

If the answer is “no” to all three, it’s time to remove it from your workspace.

Common culprits taking up valuable office space:

• Old paperwork and files you’ll never reference again
• Duplicate stationery and supplies
• Broken or outdated equipment
• Personal items that distract rather than inspire
• Seasonal items stored “temporarily” (Christmas decorations!)

What to do with items you can’t part with:

Using self storage in Exeter means archived documents, seasonal items and spare equipment don’t need to take up valuable workspace at home. Our business storage units start from just 36 sq ft – perfect for clearing out a home office without breaking the bank. You keep your belongings safe and accessible; your workspace stays clutter-free. View our self storage prices to find the right fit.

For more decluttering strategies, check out our 6 tips for decluttering your home with storage Exeter.

Step 2: Conquer your filing system (Paper and Digital)

If you’ve ever lost 20 minutes searching for an email or torn apart your desk looking for an invoice, you know how much poor filing costs you in time and frustration.

For physical paperwork, use this simple three-file system:

• ACTION – documents requiring your attention this week (check daily)
• PENDING – items waiting on responses from others (review every 2-3 days)
• ARCHIVE – completed work for future reference (monthly review)

Keep the first two files on your desk or within arm’s reach. The archive file can live in your reference zone, or better yet, in a long-term storage unit if you’re dealing with years of business records.

For digital files, mirror your physical system:

• Create three main folders: Action, Pending, Archive
• Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) for automatic backup
• Name files consistently: Date_Client_Project_Description
• Schedule a monthly “digital declutter” – delete old downloads, clear your desktop, empty your recycle bin

Step 3: Use visual tools to stay organised

Sometimes the simplest solutions make the biggest difference. Visual organisation tools help you find things instantly and keep your brain focused on work rather than searching.

Implement these quick wins:

• Labels on everything – Drawers, folders, boxes, shelves, cables
• A visible calendar or planner – Whether it’s a wall calendar, whiteboard, or desk planner, having your deadlines visible (not hidden in an app) keeps them front of mind. Write down meetings, deadlines, and important tasks where you’ll see them every time you look up
• Colour coding – Assign colours to different clients, projects, or priority levels. Red folders for urgent, green for completed, blue for pending
• Cable management – Use cable ties, clips, or a cable management box. Label each cable at both ends so you know what’s what
• Vertical storage – Think shelves, wall-mounted organisers, and pegboards. When desk space is limited, go up. Our article on simple storage hacks to organise your space has more creative ideas

The Real Benefits Of An Organised Home Office

When you implement the above-mentioned steps, the changes go far beyond having a tidier desk.

• Productivity increases: According to research compiled by Standout CV, 67% of remote workers report increased productivity when working in an organised environment
• Stress decreases: A clear workspace signals “calm” to your brain. You’ll feel more in control, more focused, and less overwhelmed
• Work-life balance improves: When work has a defined space, you can actually “leave” the office. Your evenings become yours again.
• Sleep quality improves: A bedroom that isn’t doubling as a storage facility is a bedroom where you can actually rest
• Professional image strengthens: Video calls look better when there’s not a pile of boxes behind you. First impressions matter, even on Zoom

Why Exeter Remote Workers Choose Storage In Exeter

At Your Store Exeter, we understand that remote work has fundamentally changed how people think about space. Your home needs to be a home, a workplace, AND have room for everything else in your life. That’s a lot to ask of one building.

Here’s what we offer:

• Flexible contracts – No long-term commitments. We just ask for 7 days’ notice if you need to cancel. Scale up or down as your needs change
• Range of unit sizes – From compact 36 sq ft units perfect for archived documents, to 160+ sq ft units for furniture, equipment, and business stock
• Secure facilities – Personal key fob access, CCTV monitoring, anti-climb fencing, and electronically controlled gates. Your belongings are safe with us
• Convenient access hours – From 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm on weekends. Access your items when it suits you
• Central location – Our Marsh Barton storage facility is just minutes from Exeter city centre with easy access from the A30, A38, and M5
• Helpful team – Not sure what storage size do you need? Our friendly staff can advise based on what you’re storing

Want to understand more about how self-storage supports businesses? Read our article on why self storage makes good business sense.

Take Back Your Workspace With Storage In Exeter

Remote work offers incredible benefits – flexibility, no commute, and the freedom to design your own environment. But those benefits disappear when your environment is working against you.

Storing personal items in our Exeter storage units can free up your workspace, boost your productivity, and help you finally get that promotion you’ve been working towards!

Contact us today by calling us on 01392 253119 or emailing us at info@yourstoreexeter.co.uk for a free, no-obligation quote.