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A Professional Organizer’s Opinion on Marie Kondo

A deeper industry insider look at the organizing craze that’s taking over the world!

Marie Kondo is quickly becoming a worldwide sensation due to her popular KonMarie organizational method, as well as her book, and Netflix show.

In the show, viewers are able to take a peek into Marie’s work, as she visits several households. Each episode involves Marie teaching people how they can make the most out of their space, as well as treasuring the items in their lives as something more than things, but pieces of memory, experiences, and more.

Many people have been inspired by Marie’s attitude, and show, but what do professional organizers think about her and her work?

It’s not just a matter of emotion: practicality also comes into play

In the show, Marie is often seen telling people to consider what items will spark joy, and therefore, are worth Professional Organizer's helpkeeping. On the other hand, sorting through personal objects can be a bit more of an involved project for a professional organizer. While an emotional connection with an item is always worth considering, sorting through things is more about understanding a person’s activities, needs, and lifestyle.

In order to understand exactly why a person is experiencing issues, there are many things that a professional organizer needs to consider. All of these things are interrelated to one another. For instance, it’s never just about items to get rid of. It’s about the person itself, and the individual needs. It’s about the space (rooms, layout, storage availability) and many other factors.

Every single thing needs to fall into place, like following a single thread to form a broader picture. Professional organizers are able to use their experience and knowledge to guide people, as well as suggesting better set-ups for their needs.

Sharing skills

Marie Kondo is keen on teaching her followers how to tidy up and truly realize the value of their items based on their emotional reaction and significance. Professional organizers are just like that, but they also care about practical organizing skills, which they make sure to share with their customers. These can be general tips, as well as custom-tailored strategies that will enable people to improve the quality of their specific spaces and lifestyle.

In conclusion, it’s really amazing to see that Marie Kondo is inspiring so many people to take charge and get organized. However, it’s also important to understand that there is a bit more to it than dealing with the emotional side of tidying up!

hanging organizer on back of door

Home Organizing Ideas on a Budget

Staying organized can be difficult, and in some cases, it can also be quite expensive! Some people think they have to start over and invest a lot of money on new furniture or organizational solutions. It doesn’t always have to be that way!

The good news? Some of the best ways to stay more organized are quite inexpensive. In fact, the most effective solutions are actually free! Keep reading to learn more and discover some fantastic organizational ideas!

Buy a door organizer

Door organizers are inexpensive, but they saved my life on many occasions! When I lived in a bigger city, I had a hanging organizer on back of doorsmall room, as the only way I could afford living there was to share an apartment with roommates. My room was so tiny that I couldn’t find space for most of my items. As a result, I had stuff sitting around all the time, and it was driving me crazy! However, a door organizer allowed me to keep tons of small items under control – from personal hygiene items to socks, hats, and more. The possibilities are endless.

Door organizers can be helpful if you live in a larger space too, especially on the inside of a closet, where they can feature small items and accessories, such as hats, scarfs and jewelry. This is definitely one of those “best-bang-for-your-buck” accessories, and you should definitely consider as an option to stay organized. There are many types of door organizers out there, and each is suitable for a different space or environment. You really can’t go wrong!

Shipping cartons and other paper boxes

They might not be the best-looking implements available, but paper boxes can come in handy if you want to get organized. If you have old boxes leftover from when you moved, or empty boxes laying around from TVs and home appliances, you might consider recycling them as storage boxes! The advantage is that they can be used to store small items in your basement or closet, without spending a dime in plastic or canvas boxes. Since shipping boxes aren’t exactly the trendiest thing out there, you might want to consider keeping them somewhere where they don’t stand Using cardboard boxes as storageout too much! Or where they won’t absorb moisture.

Smaller boxes, such as shoe boxes or even cereal boxes, can actually come in handy as dividers. For example, I use some old cereal boxes as separators to support my record collection. They actually stand behind the records, so you can’t see them. However, they make my records look tidier since they have a support that prevents them from falling back deeper into the shelf!

Organization is more than a having a smart system: it’s a state of mind!

It doesn’t matter how practical your home is, or how many useful drawers or fancy storage solutions you own. Staying organized begins with your attitude! The best way to live a focused, clutter-free life is to embrace a daily commitment to a cleaner routine! If you need guidance or support, we are just a call away!

Colour coding your closet + drawers - DIY Home Organizing Tip

Home Organizing Tips DIY Style

Keeping your home organized doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right focus, and with the right tips, it can actually be easy and painless. Here are some home organizing tips – DIY style!

Color Code + Sort!

Color coding can be particularly handy. If you need to store documents, for instance, you can use color schemes as a Colour coding your closet + drawers - DIY Home Organizing Tipway to improve the way you archive physical files. Imagine you had an archive, where you store personal documents (such as family photos) as well as legal documents (passports, birth certificates…) – You can color code your personal documents in blue, and the legal documents in green. This way, it will be much easier to navigate your files and find what you need!

In addition to that, you can also try color sorting. This is particularly handy if you have a rather large wardrobe. For instance, you can store all your black socks in one drawer and keep your other colors in another. You could do the same for dresses, shirts, etc. This could be a very practical tip to navigate a large wardrobe with many items of clothing!

Alphabetical Order

Ordering items alphabetically is quite common in working environments and office spaces. However, homeowners can also benefit from it in many applications. If you collect vinyl records or CDs, it will be much easier to organize the music alphabetically! In addition to that, even book lovers might find it more useful to store their books in alphabetical order, rather than by size, as it’s sometimes customary.

Under-Bed Organizers

Most of us completely forget that there’s plenty of usable space under our beds.  Instead of letting it collect dust, make sure you take advantage of it! There are many under-bed organizers that are quite flat, yet enjoy a rather large capacity, so they can fit under most beds, even if your space is quite narrow. This is a great opportunity to store various small items, which would otherwise be hard to locate or store. Some people love to use under-bed organizers for their shoes or socks, as well as other items that are often kept out of sight, such as cash, personal documents, and more.

Kitchen Overhead Hanging

In most kitchens, pots and pans might take up a lot of space, and often prevent you from taking advantage of the full capacity of your cupboard. To prevent such a situation, another home organizing tip is to try hanging your cooking tools, pots, and pans instead.

In addition to being practical, hanging pans and other items can add a charming rustic feel to your kitchen, giving it a more authentic feel. This is a perfect example of an organizational tip that’s also going to contribute to the great look of your home!

In conclusion, these are only some of the many amazing ways to keep your home organized. Give them a try and let us know if they changed your life for the better! If you’d still like a little guidance, we’re always here to help! Just give us a call and we’ll walk you through it.

organized working mom

Home Organizing for Working Moms

If you are a working mom, you most likely have developed traits of a superhero: you tend to juggle various responsibilities such as providing for your family, tending to your home, and caring for your kids. How do you find the energy and drive to accomplish all of the above tasks? We have found that for a lot of our mom clients, it’s easier and less stressful to manage all of the tasks required of you, when your life feels organized.

We’d like to share with you the importance of organization for working moms, and the steps you can take to make it happen!

Work in a Clutter-free Environment

If your workspace is messy, you might find it hard to focus and stay organized. We highly recommend taking some organized working momtime to tidy up your environment and perhaps slightly rearranging its layout, making for a brighter, more open space. Trust us, you’ll be able to see a difference right away! De-cluttering a messy space is only the beginning: you’ll have to keep it nice and clean! It can be a lot of work to de-clutter a messy space to begin with. However, keeping your space tidy is easier than you think. Think of it as just another daily habit like brushing your teeth or making your bed. Once tidying up becomes a daily habit for you that takes 10 minutes or less, it will become less of a problem for you in the long run.

Just like maintaining a tidy workspace, taking small, consistent steps to care for your teeth can make a world of difference over time. It’s easy to overlook dental hygiene when life gets busy, but building habits such as brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular cleanings can prevent bigger problems from developing later. Neglect can quickly lead to discomfort, and when that happens, it’s comforting to know you can rely on an experienced professional like an austin emergency dentist to step in and provide immediate relief. Dental care, much like keeping your surroundings organized, is about staying proactive rather than reactive. A little daily attention keeps everything in order, saving you from the stress of more complicated issues down the line and helping you maintain that clean, confident smile that makes you feel ready to take on whatever the day brings.

When care moves beyond routine upkeep, a specialist becomes essential. A general dentist covers maintenance, while specialists focus on narrow problems that require advanced training. During treatment planning, access to a reliable dentist las vegas offers reassurance when precision matters most. Experience reduces uncertainty, limits repeat visits, cuts discomfort. There is comfort in placing a problem with someone who has solved it countless times. The result protects time, budget, confidence, keeping a smile steady through every stage.

That level of focused care also brings clarity to the entire treatment process. A specialist evaluates the issue, explains the path forward, handles the work with intention. In the middle of that experience, choosing a dentist keeps decisions grounded, expectations realistic. Problems get addressed early, recovery stays smoother, outcomes last longer. Old wisdom still holds true: proper attention at the right moment prevents long-term regret. When dental care follows that principle, peace of mind comes standard, not optional.

Take Frequent Breaks

Keeping organized is not just a matter of arranging space and tidying things up. Organization starts in your mind, and a tired brain…is a cluttered one! It’s very important to take frequent breaks when working. Some people go as far as taking very short breaks every 30 minutes. This is a really good way to recharge your batteries throughout the day and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Create a “Work Nook”

When we hear the term ‘work nook’, we may tend to think of a cozy space where we can relax and unwind. However, work nook for working mom it’s just as important to have a space where you can just focus on working. Even if you work from home, having an area that’s dedicated to your business endeavors can be vital. It’s a great way to enhance your productivity, and more importantly, it’s a truly fantastic way to compartmentalize your life-work balance. The pitfall of working from home is that it feels like you’re never leaving the office. Working, living, relaxing and caring for your family in the same environment can be daunting and feel overwhelming. In addition to that, it can be quite hard to get organized. For this reason, you should consider having a specialized “work nook” where you can sign off at the end of your business day and clear your mind!

Like checklists? Grab your free organizing checklist here.

Professional Organizer standing in front of organized closet

Working with a Professional Organizer

Seeing a messy space turned into a tidy environment is really satisfying to watch! It’s not surprising that Marie Kondo’s new show on Netflix, ‘Tidying Up With Marie Kondo’, is actually becoming one of the most inspiring offerings on the streaming service.

With her revolutionary method, she has become a celebrity of sorts in the de-cluttering world, and viewers love to see her in action as she transforms many spaces, and lives.

In the same spirit, ClutterBGone is all about changing lives and tidying up spaces, allowing people and businesses to maximize their full potential!

What We Do Professional Organizer standing in front of organized closet

For the past eight years, ClutterBGone has gained a lot of experience working with clients from all walks of life. From downsizing businesses, to homes and office spaces, anything goes. While working with people from different backgrounds, we have learned a very important thing. Organization is not just about tidying up a room. It’s about clearing the mind!

Clean, organized spaces help people regain some peace and calm in their lives, not to mention, enhance their productivity and focus.

Our Services

We can provide a broad range of services and accommodate almost every de-cluttering need – from clearing severe clutter, to helping people arrange their closets, homes, or office spaces. Do you simply need to purge some of your stuff and need help figuring out what you need, or don’t need? We can also assist you with that! In most cases, we can provide a custom service that’s tailored to your space, needs, and lifestyle. The best approach is to talk to us in advance and make sure we are on the same page with your needs!

Will You Force Me To Get Rid Of Stuff?

Not at all – they’re your belongings, and you are the only one who should decide what stays, and what goes. We’d be happy to give you suggestions and guidance, as well as a little encouragement and motivation. However, it’s your decision at the end of the day! We understand that things have a value, especially personal things, that might be attached to memories and life events.

Processing Times calendar: declutter your life today.

The length of the process might depend on the scale of the project itself. Full home re-organizations will take longer than smaller projects such as closet de-cluttering, for instance. We’ll be sure to let you know our estimates as early as possible in the process, so you can get a good idea of how long we think it will take for us to complete the task (or tasks).

Your Privacy Matters To Us

At ClutterBGone, we strictly adhere to the code of ethics of the Professional Organizers of Canada.

We completely understand that your privacy is very important to you. For this reason, we will never give out any information about you or your business for any reason, at any time. We take pride in our reputation, and the fact that we have earned the trust of so many customers. This is why you won’t ever be hassled with ads or any other content without your explicit consent.

ClutterBGone serves customers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Get in touch and let’s discuss how we can turn your space from mess to best!

And in the meantime, feel free to download our free organizing checklist at www.clutterbgone.ca

Understanding Why We Accumulate Clutter

understanding clutter

We are a society that constantly buys items. We need new clothes to keep up with the latest fashions. We love to have the latest in electronics. Our kitchens are full of gadgets that make our lives easier. With our living spaces becoming smaller it’s almost essential to stay organized. Organizing itself can be quite easy. We accumulate, we pare down and sort through and get rid of some of our items but without understanding why we accumulate the clutter you’re doomed to repeat the process.

What is truly important?

Of all your possessions there are only a few that are truly important to you. understanding clutterWe hold onto many items out of sentimentality. Maybe it belonged to a loved one. Perhaps you still hold on to those old high school awards. When was the last time you even looked at them? Will your loved ones want them when you are gone? Choose just a couple of these items and purge the rest. ClutterBGone knows how to make sure those memories are with you without the clutter.

Material items define your success

Keeping up with the Jones’ is a real thing. We clamor for the latest and greatest in all things. Just look at the line ups when a new phone is launched. How about those Boxing Day line ups all to get a great deal? What are these people doing with the things they already have? Obviously, success shouldn’t be measured on what you own but rather what you accomplish, how you achieve your goals and how happy your home life is.

It was too good to pass up

We always run into a bargain or a sale that we believe is just too good to pass up. understanding clutterWow! Eighty percent off something that I may need at some point? Who could pass that up? You should. Even eight percent off is still too much to pay for something you just don’t need. Besides, there will always be a sale at some point. If you truly want to live clutter free, then purchase only what you need and when you need it. Keep in mind that everything you buy requires some maintenance whether it is cleaning, dusting or moving it around and it takes up valuable space too.

Letting go is overwhelming

We see this with a lot of our clients. Just the thought of letting go of something can bring on the sweats and anxiety. They don’t know where to start so just keep putting it off. A professional organizer understands this and works with their clients to reduce the anxiety and work with them at their own pace. You don’t have to do this alone.

ClutterBGone understands the reasons why people accumulate clutter and how hard it can be to declutter and get organized. We understand the psychology behind clutter and work with you, side by side, to get you to an organized and clutter free home. Contact us here to start the process.

Get Organized in 5 Easy Steps

organize in 5 steps

One evening I was looking up the definition for “organize” in the dictionary. Don’t judge, I’m a professional organizer after all! The definition reads, to arrange in a structured whole, but it was the synonyms for organize that caught my eye : put in order, arrange, sort, categorize, and systemize were just some. It then got me thinking about what we at ClutterBGone use to keep us on track through our process. The acronym “SPACE” is an easy way to remember our steps for a successful organization.

SPACE in our industry stands for Sort, Purge, Assign, Containerize and Evaluate and they’re the 5 steps we use and encourage with all our clients.

Sort

When organizing or downsizing the first step is to sort your belongings by category. organize in 5 stepsIf you were organizing in the kitchen you would sort all your pots, pans, utensils and such to see just how much you had of each. When doing a closet sort your shirts or blouses, dresses, pants, etc. You really don’t know how much you have of something until you see it all laid out in front of you.

Purge

Once the sort is completed the second step is the purge. Don’t confuse purge with getting rid of everything. All you are deciding here is what will stay and what will go. Go can mean donating it to a charity or giving it to a family member or friend. It can mean selling it through various ways or yes, by throwing it out. We find that the purge process is where someone really needs a third party to help. A third party, like a professional organizer, is non-judgemental and can help you make decisions quite a bit quicker.

Assign

Assign is the third step. This step is when you are going to assign a home for your item. You will want to do this based on the layout of the space, the space available and how often you need the item. ClutterBGone has the knowledge, systems and experience to help you make these decisions. You’ll love the systems we leave you with to keep your space organized. And we can usually find space that you just can’t see.

Containerize

Once you have completed the previous steps, you can store the items you have with containers you already own or purchase some new, clear containers to do the job. organize in 5 stepsRemember to store items in containers using the smallest possible container that will house all the items in a particular category. Most professional organizers will carry an inventory of commonly used containers to save time.

Evaluate

The last step is to ensure you review the spaces you have organized and to evaluate if any changes are required on a regular basis. You don’t want to fall back into a disorganized space after all the work that you have put into it.

These are the five steps to go through in order to organize any space. We would love to hear how you make out or better yet, we would love to help you in your next organizing project. Just contact us here.

Decluttering Tips For Hoarders

 

declutter tips for hoarders

Do you see signs that indicate you’re a hoarder? Do you know someone that hoards? Hoarders save items that others may find worthless. They collect items to the point where it affects their living and work spaces as well as their relationships with others. To help you avoid some of the challenges that come with hoarding, we have put together this list of tips to declutter when you see signs of hoarding.

Recognize what hoarding is

Although close to 5% of the population display signs of hoarding, I doubt many of you are true hoarders. Hoarding is a disorder that has most recently stemmed away from the relation to OCD and has become a category of mental illness on its own. Most times than none the individual really requires professional help. You may be chronically disorganized and living with clutter but that’s different than being a true hoarder.

Slow and steady

Don’t rush through and get rid of some items that may have value to you or others. declutter tips for hoardersOrganizing and decluttering isn’t a sprint. The clutter in your life didn’t appear overnight. Pick a room or a space that gives you the most grief and start there. Stay with that area until it’s complete. Now stand back and realize what you have accomplished. This will give you added energy to move on to the next space.

Handle it once only

One rule that ClutterBGone follows is, “if you touch it, finish with it”. In other words, once you have picked something up you must determine what it is, what it is used for, when was the last time it was used and more importantly what to do with it. Now you must make the decision to keep it, discard it, sell it or donate it and put it into the respective pile. There is no setting it aside and deciding later. I strongly believe clutter is easily explained as postponed decision. Later seldom comes and later is the reason for the build up of clutter in the first place.

The owner is the boss

When it comes to the final decision, the owner of the item is the ultimate decision maker. If you are helping a friend or family member you can’t make these decisions for them no matter how much you may disagree with them. This will only lead to arguments and the whole process can come to a standstill. You wouldn’t want other people coming into your home and making decisions regarding your possessions.

Pare down multiples

Many people who are disorganized or live with clutter have multiples of the same items. declutter tips for hoardersThey forgot they had it or quickly need it and couldn’t find it, so they run off to the store to purchase another one and now have more than 2 or 3 of the same items. These items are easy to make decisions about. They are the perfect candidates to sell, donate or give away.

Learn about yourself as you go

During this process you may learn a lot about yourself. Are you just chronically disorganized? Perhaps a schedule for monthly maintenance of your space will help. Do you compulsively purchase items to cheer you up or to feel great about that sale item? There are other ways to get that same feeling without sacrificing your space and money. ClutterBGone has helped many of our clients in the same situation you may find yourself in now.

So, if you think you display some signs of hoarding let these tips help you in your decluttering efforts. As always, if you can’t do it alone there are professionals out there to assist you. ClutterBGone has helped many clients throughout the GTA become organized and clutter free and we would be proud to help you. Just contact us here.

Let’s Get Organized at Work

 

The new year is a good time to start fresh both personally and professionally. When your peers and your superiors see an organized office, they see someone who is productive and in control. You can find thing easily thus improving time management and can work more effectively. Let’s see how ClutterBGone can get you better organized at work.

Stay focused on one task

Although we think we can work on more than one thing at a time the fact of the matter is we can’t. Dividing your concentration and efforts on more than one task reduces the focus you put on a project which reduces the quality of work. organized officePrioritize your tasks and give each one the full effort they require.

What is your peak time?

We’re not all morning people, or afternoon people for that matter. I normally need a couple of cups of coffee and a bit of time to reach my optimal working time. Know what yours is and save the most important tasks for this time if you can.

Clutter is a distraction

I’ve seen a lot of desks with an enormous pile of paper scattered everywhere on them. These people typically don’t know where to start and waste a lot of time just getting ready to start a project. A lot of time is also wasted looking for files, reference materials and office supplies. Handle the paper once when it comes in. Devote time each day to paper if you need to.

Do you have home and office balance?

A lot of studies have been done confirming that people who have a balance between the office and home typically are less stressed and we know what stress can do to the body. organized officeThey also feel more in control of their lives and feel more successful. Work is something that can easily consume us and have a negative effect on our personal lives so find the right balance for you. Maybe it means limiting the evenings per week you will work late or perhaps you can let go of some of the less important projects to staff. Whatever it is, find your balance for less stress in your life.

Set your goals and write them down

Set your goals and revise them often. They could be daily, weekly or monthly goals. Write them down and leave them where you will see them. Without setting your goals how else will you know what needs your attention and what you have accomplished? Block out time for the really important stuff and let people know it’s “do not disturb” time.

We all want to be successful at work. Use these tools to bring more balance to your life, be more productive and stay organized. Let ClutterBGone into your office to help you get organized as we have done to others. Just reach out to us here.

 

Organize for Your Winter Vacation

 

 

organize for travel

With winter here, and more of it ahead of us than behind us, I’ll bet quite a few of you are lucky enough to get away to a sunny destination. Travelling can be stressful enough with the line ups, security checks, cramped airline seats and all that goes with it. Reduce that stress by being organized before you leave.

Make a list

I drive my husband crazy with my lists and I always make a list of what to bring when we travel. This serves two purposes. organize for travelIt ensures that I bring everything I need (and no more) and stops me from having to purchase items I don’t need when I get to my destination.

Use packing aids

There are so many items that can help you take advantage of the space inside of your suitcase. I own a couple of those small packing cubes where I put socks and smaller items. In a pinch plastic grocery bags will protect your shoes. And here’s a tip – place all your liquids like shampoo and sun screen in zip lock bags. The last thing you need is these liquids spilling out during your trip. I use an undergarment bag to keep everything in great shape during arrival and it makes it so much easier to unpack at my destination.

Unpack right away

I know you want to get your vacation underway as soon as possible but take the few minutes upon arrival to unpack and get everything put away. You will feel more at home and won’t look like a wrinkled mess when you go out for dinner.

Use your electronic devices for stress free travel

I love those apps that allow me to store my boarding passes on my phone. organize for travelI no longer have to juggle things while in line to retrieve my boarding pass. You can also use your phone or other electronic devices to access the airlines entertainment system on board. Store your books on your Kobo or similar device to reduce space and weight on your trip. There are many apps as well that will track your flight to let you know when there are delays or changes to your trip.

Travel tips

When I travel, I bring a few disinfectant wipes with me to wipe down the trays, arm chairs and buttons. I know the airlines don’t do a great job at this. Bring a few snacks with you so you aren’t purchasing expensive food items on board that you normally wouldn’t eat.

Travelling can be a very stressful time but being organized and ready can take a lot of stress out of it. If you are one of the lucky ones to get away this winter have a great time and follow some of these organizing tips to make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable.