Even the smallest amount of paperwork can create unwanted clutter in a home, and without a clear plan, it piles up quickly. While you should keep some papers indefinitely, there are others you can toss after just a month or so. It can be challenging trying to manage a storage system unless you have a consistent and convenient method to file paperwork. Mountains of papers will continue to sprout up everywhere, which is a nightmare for small spaces. Follow these storage tips to help reduce clutter, especially in places with limited space. 

Sort Through Your Paper

The first step in organizing your paperwork is accomplished by going through the mounds of papers one at a time. Use storage baskets to organize information into piles, and categorize each paper by its type or purpose. You can use specific categories – such as bank records, credit card bills, tax records, pay stubs and insurance policies – or you can group documents by more other categories, such as Family Essentials, Finances and Personal Information. Try limiting the number of categories so it doesn't get overwhelming.

You can also have a "keep" pile and a "trash" pile for any documents that may pass a certain date. Sorting each paper by date makes it much easier to prioritize its importance.  

Start a Filing System

Choose a filing cabinet that fits your work space. A simple filing cabinet offers plenty of room for current information. Keep an inbox on your desk and file these items away in storage as soon as you’ve looked at the accounts or paid the bills. File the accounts alphabetically so you can access the each quickly, when needed. If you leave papers on your desk for too long, they're more likely to get lost in the shuffle, and it makes it very difficult to find the item quickly. Use a color-coded system in your filing cabinet and store the items by file type. Keep extra file folders on hand in case you need to start a new file. It only takes a few seconds to address a new document and file it away to reduce clutter.

Store Information Online

When possible, store your account information, files and documents online. Instead of having paper bills mailed to you, have the bill emailed to you and make online payments to reduce the amount of paper in your mailbox. For tax documents and other important information that you need to keep for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to store a copy online. Use a scanner and upload the information into cloud storage. Consider a back up as well. Not only does this provide you with a safe method of storage, you can also access your documents from anywhere there is an Internet connection.

Consider Magazine Files

If you don’t like the look of a filing cabinet or you simply don’t have the room for another piece of furniture, you can use an existing bookcase with magazine storage files. While these files are good for storing magazines, you can also store other papers and files inside and keep papers close at hand. These folders come in an array of colors to make your paperwork look clutter-free, and they are also pretty affordable. Label the outside of the folders so you know what’s inside at a glance.

It can be challenging to get all of your paperwork organized and filed away for safekeeping. The most important thing is to address the papers immediately and to set up a filing system that's easy to manage. Remember to keep track of what needs to be kept in storage and for how long, and be consistent.

Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2010/03/conquer-the-paper-piles/index.htm
Source: http://zenhabits.net/how-to-simplify-your-filing-system-or-why-stacking-just-doesnt-work/
Source: http://inmyownstyle.com/2013/01/the-container-store-knock-off-magazine-files.html