(Part 1) Simplifying Spaces: A Pro Organizer's Guide to Clearing Clutter

As a professional home organizer, I've seen it ALL when it comes to clutter. Clients often ask if their home is the worst I’ve ever seen (it’s usually not). But let me tell you, transforming chaos into calm is my jam. I can’t explain it, but seeing clean, clear spaces is relaxing! And seeing my client’s joy when we declutter and organize their homes is so satisfying. To that end, here are three areas I've tackled in my clients' homes to bring a sense of serenity to their spaces. Stay tuned for part two of this category, as there’s a whole lot to say on the topic!

Sheets and Towels

Picture this: a linen closet bursting at the seams with mismatched sheets and towels. Maybe that’s easy to imagine because you’re living with that scenario. I know it’s overwhelming, but if you take it one shelf at a time, you can get a lot accomplished. Count the number of beds in your home and commit to only having two sets of sheets per bed - one set will be on the bed and one in the laundry or in the linen closet. One exception is if you live in a colder state and love flannel sheets like me, you can round up to three sets per bed. Pretty manageable, right? Pick out the best sets with all the components (top sheet, bottom sheet, and two pillowcases). Use the same practice for your towels. Each person in your home gets two sets of towels - a bath towel, a hand towel, and a washcloth. Include a couple of extra sets for guests, and that’s it! All of the linens that don’t make the cut can be donated. A reminder that old towels are needed at pet shelters! Get everything folded and placed back in the closet and revel in how lovely it looks now. Go ahead and take a picture to remember this moment!

Gift Wrap

Wrapping presents shouldn't be a source of stress, right? You can have a stylish and functional gift wrap station, but first, you’ll need to tackle the huge piles of various gift wraps and bags. I don’t know how we all accumulate so many gift bags, but it happens to the best of us. Go through every item and ruthlessly donate or recycle the things that aren’t in great shape. Then, if your pile is still enormous, cut it in half. I know, I know, there are good bags in there! But you will collect more, I promise that. And you do not need all of those Lululemon bags! Do the same for the bows, ribbons, and miscellaneous items. You can create a gift wrap station in a closet, an under-the-stairs space, or under a bed. The key is to have everything all together, including sharp scissors, tape, and pens. You can find gift wrap organizers at Target, The Container Store, and many other retailers. Or, you can do what I did - the gift wrap goes into a tall glass vase, and the bags and other supplies live in a medium-sized (labeled) tote. Just think how much easier the holidays will be once you have this task complete!

Cleaning Supplies

Let's face it: most of us have way too many bottles of cleaning supplies. So before you kick off your spring cleaning, commit to gathering all the various cleaning products you own. Sort them into categories and then determine what you don’t use. If you belong to a Buy Nothing Group, you could donate the pile to someone. If there’s not much product left, safely dispose of it and recycle the bottles.

Look at what you have left and see where you have duplicates. Work to combine products whenever possible. Think about the best strategy to have basic cleaning supplies on different levels in your home where it makes the most sense. I have a set in the main level bathroom at my house and another in the upper level linen closet. This way, I’m not running up and down the stairs looking for window cleaner. Make sure you also have plenty of rags and sponges in each spot. Consider the power of multi-purpose products as well. Before buying other cleaning products, take inventory of what you have first. At the end of this exercise, you should have open spaces - take a moment to enjoy that!

You Can Do This!

I hope you find these suggestions helpful. I promise they will make a huge difference in your home’s efficiency and your peace of mind.
Look for part two of this blog for more ideas and strategies to make your home serve as a tool to work better for you. You can do this, and the benefits will serve you very well!