Often times people simply do not know where to begin when it comes to organizing a space, especially when there’s a lot of clutter.  Here’s a step by step guide on how to sort and purge a room which is the first phase of getting organized.  It’s a map you can follow that can feel more like a game and less like a chore.  This is fun to teach kids, as well! Step 1: Starting at the Door, Sort and Purge the Floor! (See what I did there?) Work your way around the room clockwise, making decisions on each item until all items on the floor have been taken care of. For each item i ..read more

You've collected the ideas on Pinterest.  You've purchased containers.  You long for an organized home.  But you're lacking one thing: motivation.  Where does it come from and how do you get it?  Well, there are lots of tips and tricks out there on how to get motivated but here are three easy things you can do to help you get going toward your dream organized home.   Step One: Think about why you want to organize.  Is it to declutter your home so that you feel less overwhelmed?  Is it to save time and money?  Is it because your children strugg ..read more

We all despise getting mail & paperwork that comes into the house, right? Mail can trigger anxiety and feelings of uncertainty! For some, it’s about not having the time to go through everything. For others, it’s a matter of indecision about what to keep or toss. Today, I will share some tips and tricks to make processing mail and organizing paperwork less overwhelming. Step One: Getting your mail out of the mailbox or paperwork out of your child’s backpack is the first step. Step Two: Ideally, you can walk straight to your recycle or trash container and pitch the junk mail before you walk ..read more

Tip One: Throw trash away immediately. The idea may sound simple, as we often hear people often say things like “I’m not a hoarder,” or "I don't keep trash in my home," though there is rarely a job we come across where there isn’t some trash that gets thrown away during sorting and purging. I urge you to look around your house with what I call 'organizer eyes'.  That piece of mail that you don’t need? It’s trash.  That receipt from 5 months ago in your wallet? Trash.  The tags on the pants you’re not returning. That’s trash, too!  Identify the items for what th ..read more

It’s that time of year when we’re hosting, taking dishes to loved ones’ homes to share, and cooking and baking more than usual. Organizing your refrigerator and freezer this time of year can help ensure you’re totally prepared for the big holidays that are about to hit!  Step 1: Sort and Purge I recommend completely organizing the fridge first, and then the freezer so your food isn’t sitting out as long.  Begin by going through all of your food in refrigerator, looking for signs of mold, rot and expired dates. Compost, pitch, or put down the garage disposal as needed. Be sure to note ..read more

If it's time to go through your or your family’s clothing, but you find yourself wondering, "where do I begin?", this step-by-step guide is for you! Step One: It’s time to purge! Go through your closet and dresser item by item. Decide what you need, use and love out of your clothing. The items that you no longer want might be worn out, out of fashion, or the wrong size. Decide if you should throw them away (think stains and tears) or donate them (think new or gently used). Create a bag for each, and make a plan for getting the donations out of your home. Decide where to take the donations, wh ..read more

Back to school is the perfect time to get all of your school-aged children’s belongings organized & purged.  Here are the top five areas that we recommend getting organized as the school year kicks off. Area Number One:  A lunch packing station in your kitchen.  If your children are old enough to help pack their lunch, creating this station low enough for them to be able to reach everything is the first step.  You’ll want to house this close to where your food storage (baggies & containers) are located since those are typically used for packing lunches as well.  ..read more

​We all know that feeling of moving into a new home, unpacking and then realizing there were some things we should have paid closer attention to. Here are the Top 3 Mistakes to avoid while buying or selling a home from a Professional Organizer's perspective.   Mistake Number 1: Underestimating how much storage space you need. You want to ensure you choose a home with enough storage in the basement and enough closet, pantry, kitchen and garage space for your family's needs. People often get swept away with the size of a home, architectural features or zip code. If the primary bedroom ..read more