Where to Start When Organizing Your Home

in , , ,

organizing your home

When you finally decide to start organizing your home the first question that comes up is “where do I start?” Is there a certain order to follow? Do we start with the largest rooms? The most used? The most cluttered? Unfortunately, it all depends on who you speak to. Each professional organizer will have a different viewpoint. It also depends on you and the resources you have available. How much time do you have to devote to this? Do you have anybody to assist you? Will you be hiring a professional organizer?

Here is where we at ClutterBGone would begin the process of organizing your home.

Which room gives you the most grief?

We always ask our clients which room they would like to gain control of the most. organize your homeIt’s easy to say the whole house but there is one room that is causing you the most grief. One room that is resulting in more misplaced items, more lost productivity, one room that became a drop zone, maybe even one room that looks the worse than the others.

How much time can be dedicated to the task?

Each room you work on will require a much different amount of time. Kitchens will often be the most cluttered room but can be organized rather quickly because we are working in a smaller area with many of the same items such as dishes, spices and the likes. Bedrooms on the other hand can take a lot more time. ClutterBGone receives a lot of requests to organize bedrooms, and bedroom closets in particular. Each item must be looked at to make a decision on whether to keep, donate or toss. Then, it all has to go back in a way that is organized, with a system that works for you.

Do you have the space for storage?

organize your homeOnce the organizing process starts you are going to have items that you want or need to keep but rarely use. These items will need to be stored away. Do you have the space for the storage of items? Do you have the materials required to store items like shelving or containers? The area that you use for storing unused items must also be organized in a way that makes it easy to find and retrieve items.

Slow and steady wins the race

All that clutter wasn’t created overnight so it’s going to take some time to gain control of your room and home. Keep the end goal in mind and recognize the small victories as they occur, like an organized drawer or a cleared surface. Dedicate the time that is needed. Enlist the help of family or friends or a professional organizer to help with the task.

Overcoming clutter and getting organized again will take some time and dedication on your part but the results will wow you with a transformed living space and a feeling of accomplishment on your part. ClutterBGone has seen this time and time again.

If you are about to start the decluttering process to get your home organized give ClutterBGone a call at 647-642-5669 or click here. We can help you decide where to start and have your home organized in no time.

 

 

Back To School Organization

in , ,

back to school organizing

Whether you’re a parent that loves to have your kids home for the summer or a parent that can’t wait for the school year to begin, it’s time to get the kids organized for back to school. Being organized at the start of the year will lead to organization throughout the school year.

Leading up to school starting

I’ll bet there have been little to no restrictions on bed curfew through most of the summer. Start to wean them back on to a schedule a week or two ahead of school opening so they are not dragging their you know what from the very start of school.  You know your kids and their interests. Plan on which extracurricular activities they’re going to participate in during the school year and keep in mind that these activities, although beneficial, can impact their grades so make sure your child can balance both school and activities they participate in.

Shopping for school

Back to school shopping can be fun as well as daunting.  back to school organizingTry to purchase only what you require to start the year as you will find additional items need to be purchased as the year gets under way.  Try to have one binder for each subject or at the least have dividers to separate the subjects in one binder.  Remember the one in, one out rule on clothing too. Teens have an opinion and are not afraid to give it so have them come along when shopping.  It will go easier when they have some input. Bring your patience and negotiation skills as well as your wallet.

Study space

Students need a clean and quiet area to study in – no matter what they will tell you.  Set aside an area that is clear of all clutter and is relatively quiet for studying and have the student choose the time of day they want to study.  Giving them some input stands a better chance of them following the schedule.  Have this area stocked with the “tools of the trade” (pens, paper, etc.) so there are less interruptions during this study time.  A planner in this area can also be helpful to keep track of what is due when and which days of the week sports fall on.

Be organized prior to each day

Pack what is required the night before.  back to school organizingThis may be a challenge for you and your kids, but if you remember when you were a teen every minute of sleep in the morning is needed.  Packing the evening before will ensure that they have everything for the day so when they blow out of the house in the morning like a hurricane they will have all they need.  Throw a few healthy snacks into their bag, so when hunger sets in there is a lesser chance they will head to the junk food machines.

Teens have been through this before but still need assistance and sometimes a bit of a push to get ready for the new school year.  Making sure they are ready and organized will give them a head start and perhaps teach them a bit about being organized.  ClutterBGone has assisted many families in getting homes, rooms and home offices organized for the start of the school year.  If you require assistance you can reach us at info@clutterbgone.ca or 905-642-5669.

I Felt Cheated Until I Lived With a Professional Organizer

in , ,

It’s not very ofter that I have guest blogger on my site, but my husband insisted that he write a post about living with an organizer.  So, below you have it.  A husband’s point of view.

I have always thought I was a fairly neat and tidy person. Although I will admit that I am not the most organized person in the world, I didn’t really think I was disorganized. Let me tell you that living in the Toronto area and being the husband of a Professional Organizer will let you find out just how organized or disorganized you really are!

In the beginning you may be a tad annoyed with the way things seem to be organized and the need to keep it up, but eventually you become appreciative of those things that may have bothered you in the past. Let me give you a couple of examples:

Clothing organized

For a guy, how easy is it to maintain your wardrobe? You buy something new, pick up dry cleaning or put away your laundry by hanging it up or putting it in the drawers, right?

organized man clothes

Not so. I have learned that it helps if you hang your clothes according to colour and have all your shirts hanging the same way. Not only does this give you a neat appearance but it makes selecting your clothes a whole lot easier.

In and out

One in, one out rule for clothes – Originally this rule just seemed just plain silly to me. Why would you want to get rid of something just because something new came in? Well, it turns out this may just be the best advice an organizer can give you. Rather than having closets that are crammed to the point where nothing else will fit, or piled in a dresser drawer that is overflowing, I have learned that if you follow this simple rule you will always have a neat and organized clothing space with easy to find whatever you need.

Organized Kitchen

Just last week I put a frying pan away in the “wrong spot” and was “politely” reminded of where it lives. I use this as an example of why every thing needs a home. I can’t tell you the time I have wasted in the past looking for things that were in the wrong place.

organized cubby kitchen

A lot less time spent looking for things and a lot less frustration is the result of putting things back where they belong. Lesson learned.

Giving to the community

Giving back.  This is by far the most important lesson learned from living with a professional organizer. Rather than tossing out things that I no longer require I take the time to look at it and decide if it is in good enough shape to donate. There are so many organizations that can use and even depend on donations to help the less fortunate. Everything from clothing to toys to small appliances and even items of value that can be sold at charity stores or auctions can be used to help someone else.

So, yes, being married to a professional organizer can have its challenges, but it really does make life more calm, less stressful and more giving. I highly recommend it and I’m not just saying that because my wife is standing over my shoulder. Really.

Doug Ward, happy husband of a professional organizer.

Organizing Your Home Based Business

in

Congratulations! You have taken the plunge! You have left the security of an established job and have branched out on your own to open your own business, become an entrepreneur and conquer the world. Good for you!

I know you have done your research on launching a business and have talked to all the professionals that you need to and you have all the experience to make this new adventure a success. Let me give you a couple of tips that will save you some time and keep you organized because we all know that time is a seriously precious commodity in any small business.

organized-office-desk-toronto-400x266

The basics

First, get the right basics. A comfortable, ergonomic chair and a desk as well as a printer, recycle basket, waste basket and filing cabinet are a must and your desk must stay free of all clutter.

A cluttered desk is owned by someone with a cluttered mind.  Keep in mind the precious time that you may be wasting by repeatedly looking for the same item or file. Time truly is money when you are an entrepreneur.You need to have efficient organization in your home office such that you can put your finger on any one item at any time no matter what.

Will you be having clients in to your home office? If so, you will impress them with a neat, organized and welcoming work space.

Cabinet is critical

Your filing cabinet is a great and necessary assistant but it can also be something you yell at – a lot.

Especially if you do not take the time to set it up in a functional manner for the way you operate your business. Your initial set up should include hanging file folders, files and labels and have a system ready when you do start filing for easy access and filing back in the cabinet. You need to have lots of room in your cabinet so that files move freely and easily within. This also makes filing documents a breeze.

If your home business involves retaining sensitive material you will need to consider a locked cabinet and perhaps even purchasing a fire proof cabinet.

Desk top desires

organized-office-toronto

On my desk I have my computer, a printer, lamp, electric pencil sharpener, telephone, external hard drive for my computer backups and cell phone charger. All of these require an electrical cord and unless these were not all neatly tied together I would constantly be getting my feet tangled in them.

Take the time to organize your wires and cables underneath your desk and save some frustration down the road.  If you can, work with wireless devices to reduce the cable clutter.

Action Files

Paper clutter is definitely the main source of frustration in most offices we are called to work in. Paper should never be lying loose on your desk unless it involves the task you are directly working on at that moment in time. And never should you have piles of paper on the floor in your office or otherwise!

A vertical file folder holder is a desk accessory that can be a life saver. I call this my “Action Centre” that contains my action folders that I use on a regular basis. I am a visual person and require my action items in sight on my desk rather than inside my desk.

In my Action Centre I have a file folder for each of the following…..1. QuickBooks entries 2. Client Intake Forms 3. Business Practices to Update and 4. Marketing Ideas. My vertical holder also has space for current client files that I will be working on that day. Once completed, those particular  files go back in the filing cabinet.

files-home-office-organized-400x193
When it comes to paper you need to reduce the FAT.  If you need FILE it, take ACTION on it or shred or TOSS it into the recycle bin. You will be surprised at just how quickly paper can strangle you and your new business if you do not have a system in place to effectively manage it.

By getting and staying organized you will have more time, less stress and more success. Good luck in your new venture!  If you need assistance in organizing your home office contact us here for your free telephone intake and we can answer any questions you may have.

8 Organization Ideas for Making the Most of a Small Home Office Space

in

Here in Toronto many homes don’t necessarily have a large space for an office (or don’t have a designated office space at all!). But not to worry,.  With these organization ideas you can make the most of a tiny or non-existent space for a great work environment at home:

1. When you can’t devote an entire room in your home to a home office, you can save space by opting to go desk-less. Instead, you can use sturdy shelves (Ikea has some great customizable and affordable options) to store your computer and other office necessities.

shelves as a desk

2. Integrate your work area into another room― for example, a double-duty guest bedroom and home office combination ―by sticking to a consistent color scheme.

small-office-toronto-bedroom

3. When space is tight, be on the lookout for multi-functional pieces. For example, you can find a desk with a pop-up mirror and use it as a vanity as well. Another great option is an ottoman with a top that lifts to allow for extra storage and additional seating.

desk-bed

4. If you have no choice but to have your home office in a shared room in your home, a folding screen is a great option to create some privacy. There are lots of sophisticated and trendy options on the market. You may opt for one that has a blackboard finish or even a cork board that can act as an inspiration board.

chalkboard screen

5. If your office doesn’t have a lot of horizontal space to work with and can’t spread out, why not go up? There are lots of ways to make great use of vertical wall space. Consider building shelves from the floor to the ceiling to allow for more storage space. You could also place shelves slightly above your desk that can hold your printer, books, and other office supplies. This way, everything you need will be within easy reach while sitting at the desk, without minimizing your prized work area.

wood-shutters-wall-organizer

6. If you have some wasted space underneath your desk, you can use it to store boxes or containers filled with office supplies, documents, bills, and etc. But be careful not to overdo it here – in other words, don’t put something somewhere because “it fits.” Consider when and where you would want to look for those items and organize your space accordingly.

under-desk-organizers

7. Don’t let the space behind your office door go to waste. To optimize the space, you can hang a shoe organizer on the door to store office supplies.

organizing incoming mail

8. Minimize paperwork and unnecessary clutter by storing as much as you can on your computer. This will give you more space to work with and keep your space looking tidy with minimal upkeep requirements.

cloud-storage-options

Thanks for reading – I hope you liked these ideas and perhaps they sparked some new ideas of your own. Remember, the end goal here is to create an efficient and functional space that’s organized in a straightforward and simple way. Let me know if you have any comments or questions in the space below.

 

10 Quick Things You Can Do To Organize Your Home Office This Weekend

in

organized-home-office-torontoWe all dream of living a clutter-free existence.  When it comes to our home office, we dream of papers neatly filed, office supplies tucked in their little organizing compartments and being able to see every square inch of our desk.

Yeah right.

While that’s the ideal, the reality is that most of us make a mess throughout the day – sometimes cleaning it up at the end of the day, other times leaving it for a magic fairy to take care of the mess while we sleep.

The truth is, a chaotic desk isn’t always a personal failing—it’s often a sign that the space itself isn’t pulling its weight. Old-school offices were built with purpose: drawers where drawers belonged, surfaces that encouraged order, and layouts that made sense before “winging it” became a design philosophy. That’s where an office fit specialist earns their keep, stepping in with a sharp eye and a practical mindset to turn daily disorder into something far more manageable.

With the right planning and a thoughtful office fit out essex project, clutter stops being a constant battle and starts becoming an occasional skirmish you can actually win. Smart storage, sensible layouts, and furniture that knows its job can make even the busiest workday feel a little more civilized. No magic fairy required—just a well-fitted office that respects how people have always worked best.

It’s a new year, why not start with a clean slate and make it less cluttered year than the last.  While organizing your home office might seem daunting after 12 months of neglect, there are some quick and easy things you can do to get you started.

Start with a clean slate

If you are like most people, there are likely several piles of paper on your desk, perhaps so many that you can’t even see the desk. The first thing you should do is clear off the clutter from your desk. Take off all paper, desk supplies, etc., leaving only your computer and the phone on the desk.  Better yet, go paperless by using a cloud service like Google Drive or Evernote.

Get (or start using) a filing cabinet

If you don’t have a filing cabinet, invest in one with several drawers so you have plenty of room and won’t have to cram papers in there. Use labels to identify each drawer, such as one for personal documents, one for finances and one for work documents.

Label file folders for your cabinet

Purchase some hanging file folders and use a label maker to identify the documents that are going to belong in said folder (it can also help to get different colored folders for certain drawers). By properly labeling each folder you know where to quickly store and access any document in your house when you need it.

Throw out the clutter

As you sort through the papers that were on your desk and begin to allocate them into their new home in your filing cabinet, be sure to toss out things that you don’t need. Junk mail, old newspapers, outdated statements, etc. However, remember that you should shred any personal or professional documents before throwing them out.  If you feel you may need any old documents in the future, make a digital copy of them with a service like Evernote before shredding them.

Get a desktop calendar

While some people prefer to use their phone or tablet for their daily tracking, having a desktop calendar can also be a great help. Remembering important dates and deadlines that come up can be easy when you have a great big reminder on the desk in front of you. It’s also a great way to get rid of some of those reminder post-it notes that can gather around your PC or laptop.

Figure out the cable situation

A massive jumble of cables in your home office isn’t just an eye-sore, it can also be a fire hazard. Be sure to remove electronic equipment when you are done using it, such as a radio, and for those cables that you need, use a zip tie to keep them neatly rolled together or grouped together.

Get a desk drawer organizer

By purchasing a container to keep your paperclips, staples, post-its and other desk supplies organized it makes finding them a cinch. If you don’t really want to splurge, you can always use ice cube trays to house those smaller items that are all over your desk.

Use a mail organizer

Many of us are guilty of getting mail and simply throwing it on our desk to cause further clutter. This year, use a desktop mail organizer to have a designated place for incoming mail, outgoing mail and even one for things requiring your attention.

Create a space in your office for personal items

We all have places in our office where we keep pictures of our kids, favorite pet or even just an inspirational message, which is great. However, you shouldn’t take up valuable workspace with these items. Instead choose a place in your office, such as a shelf or above your filing cabinet, where you can house these items safely out of your workspace.

Get your computer organized

While you are starting off the New Year fresh, don’t forget to get your computer organized as well. This means creating proper folders for documents, pictures, home videos and a separate area for all your work items. Be sure to back up all your files to a jump drive in case your computer crashes.  A service like Dropbox will automatically backup your files to the cloud for safe keeping.

And while you’re tidying up the digital clutter, it’s worth thinking about the hardware that keeps everything humming along. A sudden outage can undo all that careful organizing faster than you can say “where’d my desktop go?”

That’s why having a reliable backup power setup — often anchored by something like an apc rack pdu 9000 switched unit — gives your system a fighting chance when the lights flicker or the grid decides to take a nap. It’s the quiet guardian that keeps your machine stable long enough to save your work, shut things down properly, or simply avoid a mini heart attack.

Starting the year with order isn’t just about neat folders; it’s about protecting the tools you rely on every day, the same way folks used to keep a sturdy lock on the family desk drawer. A little preparation now saves a heap of frustration later.

Ok, so it looks like a lot of work, but if you dedicate a few hours this weekend you’ll be surprised to see it really doesn’t take very long.  Rome wasn’t built in a day, same with organizing your office, but it’s a good start!

Have questions about organizing your home office?  Feel free to contact me here.

3 Tricks to Travel Big and Save Space

in ,

travel slidesTraveling is always fun until the time when you need to figure out where to store all your luggage and other travel related accessories that you use all the time.

One of the challenges of course is that suitcases take up a lot of space when not in use.  Most people try to hide them in the furnace room, a basement storage area or even up in the rafters in the garage.  None of these spaces are ideal because it’s not only inconvenient to retrieve them but they are not typically the cleanest areas in your home.

Let’s think about this.  If you are packing in your bedroom, shouldn’t the suitcases either live there or somewhere on the same floor as where you pack?  Wouldn’t that be so much easier than lugging them up the basement stairs?

Here are a couple of tricks to make packing fun and storing easy.

Invest in good quality

There are many on the market, however one I found is particularly interesting because it uses an innovative concept of folding technology so that your full-sized, wheeled suitcase turns into a compact, easily stored bag.Biaggi luggage

The company is Biaggi (www.biaggi.com) and they make lightweight, durable luggage that folds down into half its original size. This is great so you can actually store your luggage under your bed with ease.

Be a road warrior

Another idea is to use the Road Warrior M Series luggage. Again, this luggage requires half the storage space compared to standard upright suitcases.Road warrior luggage

When not in use it collapses such that you can stack it on a shelf, slide it under your bed or even hang it in your closet.  Check out www.roadwarriorluggage.com.

Create a “Travel” bin

In terms of travel accessories, we all have them.  This includes your sun protection, airplane pillows, earphones, travel size games, binoculars, travel pillows, ear plugs, etc.  Essentially everything you typically take on a trip.  And what about all those travel size bottles of lotion, shampoos, etc., not to mention those travel grooming bags, travel iron, or hairdryer? Most people have all these items stored in various places throughout the home rather than keeping it all in one place resulting in your scurrying around trying to remember where you put everything.

What I recommend is that you create a Travel bin and label it “TRAVEL”.  Your bin should ideally be a sturdy plastic with a lid, similar to a Rubbermaid tote.  The amount of travel accessories you typically use will dictate the size of your travel bin.  If you have children your travel bin will likely be much larger than for someone who does not.  In your travel bin you would place all travel related items so that the next time you are going on a trip, everything you need is in one place.  When you return from your trip you simply take all those accessories and put them back in your bin. No more hunting around looking for that special travel sized game, or those neat little toys the kids love to play with on the airplane.

Make your next trip go smoothly from beginning to end by investing in some innovative luggage and some organization. I’d love to hear what tips you use to make your travel run smoothly!

 

5 Tricks for Organizing Your Home Office

in

Is your home office an unorganized mess?  Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be!

Your home office is intended to be a place that you go to when you need to focus and get work done. But, if you are anything like the majority of individuals trying to get work done at home, then you know that a cluttered office doesn’t make for easy concentration. Having a clean and organized home office is the best way to not only get work done, but to truly allow yourself to focus and be in a space that is geared toward getting work done.

home-office-organizing toronto

Fortunately for those who can’t seem to keep an organized office, there are some great tricks for getting your home office in perfect working order, take a look!

  1. Reduce the Clutter – Before you can start getting your home office a little more organized, you have to get rid of all the items that don’t belong in your space or aren’t getting used. Whether it’s junk mail or pictures that your child brings home from school, the clutter that doesn’t have to do with work should be put in their appropriate homes before you can get organized.
  2. Create a Filing System – Having a functional filing system is crucial to sorting and identifying the documents that you need access to quickly. Folders with labels with everything from previous household bills to proposals for work can help you to get organized and stay that way. Filing cabinets or drawers are great ways to help get rid of the piles of paper that often land up on your home desk.
  3. More Storage is Better – Creating storage options goes a long way in a space as multipurpose as your home office. Not only are you going to want to find a means of storage for your papers, like a filing cabinet, but you also want to be sure that you keep your work materials sorted and ready for work when you are. Use desktop and in-drawer organizers for your smaller items, like paper clips and pens, while storage bins in a nearby closet can help to house extra printer cartridges or USB chords for cameras and other devices you have.
  4. Use a Calendar – A clear calendar system can help you to keep your home office organized and your personal and professional life in line. Whether you use a PC based calendar or a large desktop version, your calendar can help you to sort through items and keep what you need in the near future in mind.
  5. Make a Home for Everything – Having a specific home for the items in your desk is necessary to have the organization you want in your personal office. Labels and clearly set up drawers can help you to quickly find the items you need and return them to their respective homes when you are done. Items that you feel don’t have a home in your office shouldn’t be in your office then.

While you might need to spend a weekend afternoon to help get your home office in an organized state, if you can keep it that way your time will certainly be well spent. Remember that once you get organized you are going to have to work on maintaining your office. But, if you can pick up after yourself and organize a little everyday then keeping your office in this condition will be simple.

Have questions about organizing your home office?  If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, feel free to contact me here.

5 Steps to an Organized Home Office

in

No matter what you use your home office for, one thing always remains the same.  It’s hard to concentrate and get quality work done if your space is a cluttered mess. But don’t worry.  In this post I’ll share 5 simple steps to help you organize your home office and make sure that it stays clutter free.

Remove Everything

An effective way to start the organization process is to first remove everything off your desk (other than your computer, monitor, and heavier items like a printer) and to lay everything out in piles on the floor. You should also do the same with your desk drawers, cabinets, and shelves.  Now is also the perfect time to properly dust, clean, and wax all surfaces.

Organized home office Toronto

Group Like Things Together

Once you’ve removed everything from your desk, drawers, cabinets, and shelves, begin to group like things together: books with books, bills with bills, office supplies with office supplies – you get the idea. Not only will this help you figure out how much space each category of items requires, but it will also help you sort though duplicate or outdated materials that you’ve accumulated over time.

Organized home office desk

Prioritize

At this point you should have gotten rid of any items that you don’t need. Now you can start moving all of your essential items back to your desk, shelves, cabinets, and drawers. Your desktop should have as little on it as possible – otherwise it will look cluttered and will leave you with inadequate space to work. Make sure to give everything a specific place so that you can always find it easily. Place all of your frequently used items in easy to reach areas and stow away items that are not used frequently in less accessible areas.

organize files home office

Go Paperless

One of the best ways to prevent clutter and piles of paper is to opt for the “paperless” option when it comes to your credit card statements, cell phone bills, and so on. Remember, you can always print out any essential items. Worried that you’ll miss a payment if you don’t get your statement in the mail? You can set up automatic payments. Consider using a cloud service such as Evernote or Dropbox to organize your documents.  I’ve written about Evernote before, you can read some great ways to organize using Evernote here.  Once you go paperless, you won’t ever want to go back!

Using Evernote to organize home office

Set Aside 10 Minutes to Clean

Congrats, your home office is now clean and organized! The goal is to keep it that way, right? To do that, try setting aside ten minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your space and get ready for the next day. This isn’t the easiest habit to form, but believe me; this pays off in the long run!

Organized home office desk Toronto

If you follow these 5 easy steps, you should be well on your way to getting your home office organized, and more importantly, keeping it organized. And to make the process more fun, take a look at my previous blog post, 3 Free Applications that Make Organizing and Cleaning Fun. Let me know in the comments below if you found these 5 steps helpful or if you have any questions you can contact me here!

Creating organization out of chaos in a 2 bedroom home

in , ,

Dining LR Before The wonderful aspect of my career in organizing and downsizing with clients is the tremendous and positive feedback received during the entire process. One client in particular that I have been working with for the last few weeks has experienced an amazing transformation, both in her space at home and in her personal life in general.

Embarrassed and unable to enjoy her home

Before she picked up the phone to call me for help she had been living in her rented 2 bedroom home for a few years without being able to actually cook meals in her kitchen, sit down in her living room or work in her office. She rarely had friends or family over as she was embarrassed by the condition of her living space and felt socially isolated in this regard.  A professional career woman with an active sports life, she was not only rarely home to tackle an organizing project, but she was also challenged with complicated family and work issues that appeared to overcome her ability to live in a healthy and functional way.

The beginning of change

Her phone call to me changed her life. Finally being able to see the problem, having the support of family and being in a position to want change to occur she called me for an initial consultation and needs assessment.

She presented as a wonderfully kind and funny individual with a great sense of humour who was clearly struggling to get her life in order.  During the assessment she became quite emotional at times, identified her embarrassment at having me see her place in the state it was yet was excited to get the project started.

Where do we start?

It was easy for me to see where we had to start in her home.  There was an extremely limited amount of storage space available so creativity was the name of the game and we targeted the only actual “storage room” (the furnace/dryer area) to begin. This cluttered, small room was the first space one actually viewed when coming in the front door.  This room had no door itself and with no effective way to store items, everything was haphazardly tossed in with little room to even reach the dryer for laundry. It certainly was not a nice view for the client when coming home from a hectic day at work.

First order of business is to create some storage space

Therefore, before we could even start to organize any other space in her home we first needed to create some functional storage in this particular room.  It currently only had one small shelf and a hanging rod which was beginning to loosen from the wall. In the space was also the dryer, hot water tank, a plethora of sports equipment, clothes, cleaning supplies, foot wear and miscellaneous items that were not readily accessible.

It’s hard for me to explain how excited I was to begin this project. I had wished I could begin that very day however there was some planning to take care of, some homework to assign the client as well as some preliminary items for me to pick up on behalf of the client so we could get that particular space set up, organized and ready for the storage of items that were in fact relevant to this client’s current life.

My client was completely on board with the project, expressed a great amount of enthusiasm and we were both itching to get started! I’m so lucky to be able to make such positive change in my client’s lives. My next few posts will follow this project along as we give this wonderful lady her life back!