In an effort to mute the bright yellow, green, red and purple file folders I sometimes find in clients’ file cabinets, I’ve often had to wear sunglasses.
As a professional organizer, however, I’m grateful the papers are in folders and, as a bonus, inside a file cabinet. Usually, the papers are in multiple piles on the desk, chair, floor and anywhere other than a file cabinet. Though, truthfully, we are going to go through the papers one way or another.
What’s the problem with multiple colors of folders? Too much random color creates visual chaos. Your eye has a harder time focusing when there is a clutter of color. Colored file folders are no problem if there is a reason for the color.
If you use green for financial and blue for insurance, for example, no problem. If you have one color for personal and another color for business, there is no problem. If you use blue for one bank and purple for another, green for vital records, orange for vacation ideas, and back to blue for insurance, there is a big problem.
Simplify your life. Use straight cut folders as explained last month and pick one color for personal and one for business. I use white. It’s clean and crisp. There is no jarring of the senses when I open my file cabinet.
White reinforced straight cut folders are made by Smead and can be purchased on Amazon. I also found the Smead folders at Office Depot online. A local office supply store offering great customer service and delivery to your home no matter the size of the order is Wist (visit the website at wist.com). A member of Local First Arizona, the company has been a great contributor to causes in the Southwest.
File Idea For Current Projects
I am a fan of using different types of file folders for different purposes. One of my favorites is the project file folder. This has the usual place for the papers but on the front of the file folder, it has places for your notes.
I use clear file folders for projects I’m working on right now. I don’t have to label it because I can see the papers inside and I know it’s something I’m currently addressing. There are pocket folders, which are closed on all sides but the top. These are perfect for files, which include things other than paper. I’ve used these for numerous projects.
Do you have a group of file folders belonging to a project you would like to keep together? Red box is the answer. It’s what attorneys use when they bring case files to court. The tops are open but the pocket expands to house a large number of files. These fit right into a file cabinet for archival storage.
So, forget all the vibrant colors with tabs all over the place. Instead, use different types of file folders to help you get your work done and stay organized.
Nancy Nemitz organizes all kinds of disorganized people and offices. Read the client testimonials on her website at createthespace.com. Email Nancy at nancy@createthespace.com with your filing and folder questions. Perhaps you have something nice to say about the article. She would like to hear how it’s been helpful.