“Organically” is a kind word to describe the way my office has evolved over the last few years, as my business has grown. Other words that come to mind are unplanned and without structure.

During busy times, my staff and I have made do with bad systems and have gotten used to poor setups. Even though things are still hectic, we are undertaking an early spring cleaning to reduce aggravation and inefficiency.

There is never a good time to make office improvements, so we’ve started a “one-change-per-week” program until all of the problems are gone. We’re looking at basic infrastructure like where the printer is stationed and how the phone cable runs through the office to see how it can be improved. My goal is to give the team a more pleasant and productive work environment.

If you’ve been working in your home office for awhile, your work attitude and energy may benefit from a tidying up. Here are some areas to look at to get started.

-Look for frustrations. Spend a few days watching your work routine to figure out if you’ve become so used to certain inefficiencies that you don’t even notice them anymore. For example, you might have grown accustomed to a fax machine that dumps arriving papers on the floor, or you may move to another room to lay out papers because of a lack of desktop space. These are signs that you need upgraded tools to work productively.

-Prioritize supplies. Keep important work supplies within arm’s reach and remove items that you don’t use daily. Active files and items such as pens and paperclips can be kept close by, and extra file folders and letterhead can be moved to a closet or supply cupboard.

-Organize files. An inefficient filing system is a high-annoyance item in a home office. Do you have to look in three places for a vendor’s invoicing history or accounting information? Are your customer files in different places? If your paperwork never seems organized, review your filing system to make sure it makes sense. Consider getting additional file cabinets or other tools to help you track information.

-Don’t play dominos. Get rid of items in your home office that cause small disruptions to your workspace. Good examples are phone cords that constantly tip over penholders and books that fall to the side when one is removed.

-Get rid of old reading material. Face facts: If you haven’t read the August issue of Inc. magazine or December’s issue of the Economist, chances are you won’t. Recycle old periodicals. If you’re afraid of missing important articles, skim the tables of contents before you put them in the bin.

-Don’t get personal. Remove items from your office area that are not work-related. This includes children’s toys, a family television and exercise equipment. Ask for your family’s support in keeping your workspace free of personal knickknacks.

-Get a “safety” trash can. Some people are afraid to throw anything away because they fear they’ll discard an important document. If this describes you, consider setting aside a trash bin for papers only. Put documents in it that you’re hesitant to throw out and empty it every month. If you haven’t needed the papers during this period, chances are you can safely get rid of them.

-Treat yourself. After you’ve tidied up your workspace, top off your work by buying yourself an office item that you’ve had your eye on. It might be a new chair, an upgraded computer or a new printer. If a purchase isn’t in your budget right now, make an affordable improvement such as fixing a wobbly bookstand or an off-kilter drawer in your file cabinet.

Alice Bredin is author of the “Virtual Office Survival Handbook” (John Wiley & Sons) and a nationally syndicated columnist.