Genealogy is definitely one of my favorite pastimes. There’s no doubt that it’s a rewarding hobby and career for thousands of individuals who breathe new life into their family’s stories. But if we’re honest, genealogy can get messy. No, I don’t mean the kind of messy that involves researching–where family members had the same first names or you can’t find supporting evidence about your relative’s supposed military service (although all of that’s no doubt tricky). I mean your home office or designated genealogy research space gets downright cluttered…maybe a stray family photo here or an old census record there that negatively impacts your mood and research ability. So how can you revamp your space, no matter the budget? Check out my tips below to find out!
Let me be clear here–I’m not advocating for you to throw out treasured family documents or even all the records you’ve printed over the years. But what I do mean is that if there’s something cluttering up your office that you don’t need–like stray sticky notes or a scrap paper you’ve just never thrown away–now’s the time to get rid of it. I’ll be the first to admit I’m guilty of saving paper items I probably should’ve tossed out ages ago (ah-hem, old American Battlefield Trust mail). That said, one of the first steps to revamping your space involves a cleaner slate and that’ll be much more attainable if you part with the things you no longer need.
After you do some preliminary decluttering, it’s organization time. You can give your space some TLC with a filing cabinet! If the word “filing cabinet” brings to mind a gray or white metal cabinet from your old school days, and that’s just not the design you’re looking for, today’s filing cabinets are completely reimagined. They come in both vertical and horizontal orientations with wood, wicker, and other materials available. I’ll be honest, revamping your space with a filing cabinet might not be the most cost effective option if you’re on a tight budget, as many start at $100 and go up from there. That said, you can always check with local thrift stores to see if they may have any available at better prices or you can follow my tip below. If you want to shop new products, retailers like Amazon, Target, The Home Depot, and more have numerous filing cabinets available for purchase.
If a filing cabinet it just a little out of your budget right now, consider an expanding file organizer! For paper items that have been cluttering up your space, this is an effective and budget-friendly solution for storage. Plus, the carrying handle allows you to transport documents easily, which could be handy for your next genealogy meeting or family reunion. I have a couple of expanding files and I’m personally a fan of this one. There are plenty of expanding files on the market, though, so you can find one that suits your individualized needs.
Know another way to revamp your space? Floor cabinets! Not only are floor cabinets and/or shelves aesthetically pleasing, but they also offer a space for you to store items or even display knickknacks. Plus, if you have historical items you’d like to show off, you can opt to put them in a cabinet with glass front doors to keep your relics visible but safer around kids and pets (or yourself, if you happen to be accident prone like me!). There are plenty on the market, but this one is just over $100, cute, and appears functional. Of course, you may also find some cabinets at thrift stores that you could repaint or even apply new hardware to, so it boasts your unique style. Or, if you have an existing floor cabinet in your home, you could always refinish it and use it in your office space.
Now that we’ve talked about storage solutions, it’s time to move on to the extra fun part–how to enhance and decorate your space! While some may argue that a mini fridge isn’t a genealogy necessity, it’s a handy item to have. For those moments when you’re unwilling to step away from research, but a cold water is high on your wish list, a mini fridge can save the day. I like that this fridge has vintage vibes so it keeps a historical theme!
It’s hard to completely revamp a space if you don’t add personal touches to it! Personally, I like hanging posters on a wall, especially when they’re in a sleek or trendy frame. You could always purchase an authentic historical poster, even from the World Wars. Or, if you’re in the market for something more cost effective and potentially humorous, maybe snag a genealogy poster. Redbubble has plenty of genealogy posters available, or you could design your own poster through Vistaprint or Shutterfly.
Tired of a researching space that feels too dark? Not only can it damage your eyesight, but it can also affect your mood. So let there be light with a table lamp! Table lamps come in a slew of colors, styles, and price points–from $10 to $100+. Plus, you can snag one that’s motion activated or comes with a USB charging port for maximum convenience. While virtually any table lamp can revamp your space, I especially like this one and this one.
In case you couldn’t tell from the photo above, I’m a huge fan of laptop stickers! They’re not only affordable (normally just a few dollars a piece), but they’re also fun and can personalize any space. Plus, if you use a laptop in your home office–but take it out of your house for genealogy conferences or other events–chances are your laptop will stand out in a crowd and may even serve as a conversation starter. Personally, I’m a fan of Redbubble for all my sticker needs, as stickers I placed on my previous laptop in 2019 are still holding up perfectly well today. And Redbubble offers a wide selection and a discount for new members!
Whether you decide to purchase a cabinet for display and storage purposes or a new mini fridge so you’re always hydrated, I hope all of these tips help you completely revamp your space! At the end of the day, whether your revamping project cost $5 or $500, what matters most is that you’re happy in your space and able to discover more about your relatives.
Happy Researching!
