Your dream has come true: You have an organized and tidy home! Baskets are clearly labeled, like items are with like items, you've said goodbye to items that no longer serve your family, and you feel a sense of peace around you. Pure bliss. But wait... How are you going to keep it this nice?! Lucky for you, we're sharing 3 simple routines for maintaining your home organization. Routine #1: Tidy in 10 MinutesMaintaining your home is easy when you know where everything goes and every item has a home. Tidying daily is best, but try for at least every few days. Make it a routine to walk around the main living areas of your home and pick up all items that don't belong there and return them to their designated location. Then tidy up what stays within each room, such as dishes into the sink to wash, clothes into the hamper, and books back on the bookshelf. Get the family involved too! Toys, books, and games can get especially messy in the blink of an eye. It's OK to help out, but it's vital for kids to learn how to help clean up their possessions too. If mom always does it, it will be left out for mom to do it! (Read more about organizing playrooms and getting kids involved here). Another strategy is to collect these items throughout the day if you're already walking by. This is my favorite way to do it! I'll grab something that needs to go upstairs and place it at the bottom of the stairs. Then the next time I'm running upstairs, I grab the item waiting there on my way. It's efficient and a fantastic habit to get into. One more tip we share with clients is to take photos of how we organized your completed spaces and save them to an album on your phone. That way, if you forget how something was arranged, you can open the album in your photos app and see exactly how it was professionally organized. Routine #2: Fast Decluttering for 15 MinutesI get it, nobody, not even professional organizers, keeps their homes perfectly pristine and organized like it was just organized that day. If there's a small area of your home that needs some decluttering love, you can use the same steps that we do as pro organizers, but on a mini-scale. Set a timer for 15 minutes and do some quick decluttering magic. Empty that drawer, basket of toys, or one small section of your clothes (like all PJs), and sort into broad categories. Be ruthless and donate anything you're not using or that's expired. Throw out anything unusable, and create a donation bag for items in good shape. Put items back into the space, grouped together by like categories. If you had us organize the space already, you will likely have labeled baskets, drawer organizers, or a closet layout to easily put items back into. Bonus tip: We always suggest that clients have a designated donation area/bag in their home. This makes it easy to put aside items that you want to donate. When there are enough items, put the bags in your front seat so you'll actually remember to donate them! When we organize or come by for maintenance, we will gladly take any donations away for you that you've set aside. Routine #3: Hosting Bliss in a Half HourBefore your home was professionally organized, you probably felt panic like no other when guests were expected. Now, tidying is a smooth and quick process. All you need is 30 minutes or less. Start with Routine #1 to put items back in their place and do a quick tidy sesh. Think of where guests will come in: Can you put some coats on your hooks back into the coat closet so guests have a space to hang their items? While you're there, put shoes strewn on the floor back onto your shoe rack. Move the mail pile aside (or open it if it's small enough). A tidy entrance will make the best first impression. Fold your blankets, fluff your pillows, and clear any excess clutter where you'll be sitting. If guests are staying over, set out clean hand towels, place fresh towels and washcloths on the bathroom counter, put toiletries in the shower, and make sure there are clean sheets on the guest bed. Turn lights on throughout the downstairs to welcome your guests and think about offering some tea or coffee! Time to get cozy and relax with your guests. As much as we try and as good as our intentions are, life happens. It can often be difficult to follow these routines and keep our homes tidy. We totally understand! That's why we offer our maintenance services.
We can refresh the systems we already created, do another round of decluttering, tackle your accumulated mail and paper piles, or even put away the 12 loads of laundry you finished (ha!). It feels like it never ends, and we get it! Feeling overwhelmed with tidying, despite your attempts to get organized? Download our organizing guide to see what it's like working with a professional organizer.
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One of our favorite reasons to help clients is when they're experiencing big life changes. This family was going through two life-changing events at the same time: moving and having a baby. The pregnant mama contacted us when she was only a few weeks from giving birth. They were a military family with an active toddler and moving up from the Fayetteville area. Their possessions were being moved from two storage units. Having limited time (and energy!) to unpack herself, the mom wanted help with the most utilized areas of the home, including the kitchen, pantry, 3 bathrooms, and her daughter's closet. She wanted us to add products and liked the uniform "Container Store" look. Our Process & Project Launch We were able to see the home before the move-in date to take measurements and do product planning. We sent our signature pantry/kitchen product quiz to the mom to get a sense of her style. Then, we created the product list for her to take a glance at and approve. We come prepared and always like to overbuy since we do problem-solving in the moment to see what works best in a space. Then, we return unused products and only invoice the client for what is used. One challenge we came across since the home was a new build, was that the closing date kept getting pushed back, as they very often do with new construction. We were originally planning on unpacking their home early to mid-December. Our organizers were dedicated and committed to moving this family in in time for the holidays! We ended up having a team of 3 organizers there on December 22nd and 23rd. They divided and conquered, working like little Christmas elves to organize, bring in new product, and label everything with function and precision. What a sigh of relief it was to our clients to be moved in and organized just in time for the festivities. Since the family's possessions had been in storage for quite some time, there was a lot of decluttering. They learned to live without many of the items stored away in boxes. Luckily, we take all donations for our clients, so once they made the decision to let it go, we hauled it away for them. For moving and unpacking tips, read 5 Tips for a Seamless Packing & Unpacking Experience That You Don’t Want to Miss Home Organizing RevealedKitchen drawers had bamboo organizers and glasses and dishes were strategically placed near the dishwasher for easy put-away. The pantry looked stunning while also being maintainable, with clearly labeled baskets and gleaming white can shelves. The bathroom drawers were divided into like items with clear organizers, and under the sink, vertical space was utilized with stacking drawers. The toddler girl's closet had matching velvet hangers for her adorable clothing as well as labeled baskets on the shelf above. The family was so happy with their organized and ready to live in home. The pregnant mom didn't have to spend weeks unpacking while chasing around her toddler. What a relief! Thank you for joining us on this unpacking journey! We love helping clients unpack and feel at home as quickly as possible in their new space.
Do you have an upcoming move and are wondering what it's like to work with a professional organizer? Download our organizing guide. Cheers, Sandi If you're lucky enough to have a mudroom, you also know that sometimes it doesn't feel so lucky. Shoes are scattered across the floor, mail is piling up, you can never seem to find your keys, and your coat racks are stuffed to the brim. Your mudroom makes you feel stuck in the mud - stressed, chaotic, and like you'll never find a peaceful way out of your house! Have no fear. We're here to share 4 tips to transform your mudroom into the beautiful, functional space it was always meant to be. Tip #1: How Will You Use This Space? Taking a step back and thinking about what you want from a space can be super helpful. What are mudrooms supposed to be for? Even more important, what do you use the space and want to use the space for? Is it a place to keep your shoes and coats? A command center for your calendar, mail, and keys? A place for your kids to store their backpacks? How you use the space will guide you in organizing and tweaking the space to work in your favor. This is something we discuss with our clients before making any organizing plans to make sure we tailor systems to the individual family needs. Tip #2: Purchase Proper Storage Solutions A very common mistake we see when working with clients who tried getting organized before hiring us is that they felt stressed by their mudroom, so they went out and bought a ton of baskets and other products. But the baskets were too big and hung over the edge of the shelf, or the products didn't help with the pile of mail; it just created more clutter. When we organize a space, we take measurements to get the correct size products and bring a variety of sizes to problem solve in the moment. We purchase products based on the plan for the space and the client's style preferences. We use our years of experience working with products to create the best system for your space, such as a letter tray for mail, baskets for hats and gloves, a shoe rack for the adults, shoe bins for the kids, and wall hooks for coats and backpacks. Then we return what we don't use, so you don't clutter your mudroom more with products that didn't work well. Label bins with family names. Have a family meeting and explain what goes where and that you'll practice the new routine when you all leave and enter the home. It may take a few tries (or more!), but everyone will eventually know where their hat, mittens, coat, shoes, and backpack go. You don't have to do it all! Read more common client mistakes in 10 Things Not to do in Your Home. Tip #3: Don't Overlook Moisture Control The last thing we want is mildew on our outerwear. Mudrooms can get damp (and dirty) due to wet clothes and shoes from the rain or snow. We suggest having easily washable welcome mats/rugs. The less cluttered the space is, the easier it will be to lay items out to dry, too. Swap out the seasonal outwear you're not using and store it in another area, such as a coat closet. Only keep the 1-2 seasonal coats per person that you're actually using right now. The same goes for shoes. You don't need to store every pair you own in the mudroom. Chances are there are many shoes you only wear occasionally that can be stored elsewhere. If these tips still don't fix the issue, consider a quiet dehumidifier in the corner to suck the excess moisture out of the air. Tip #4: Accessorize the Space with Thoughtful TouchesMudrooms don't have to be drab. They can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It's the first room you walk into when you come home; make it lovely! Add a framed family photo on the wall or some artwork. Purchase a beautiful plant or some fake flowers. A bench with some pop of color throw pillows can make for the perfect place to put on shoes (and remind family it's not a place to stack coats, toys, or whatever you're holding when you enter the house). Mudrooms can make your life easier if you set them up for success. Think of exiting your home stress-free. Your keys and sunglasses are right there by the door. Your coat and shoes are organized and waiting for you. Your kids can independently get ready to head to school. It's possible if you follow these simple tips. Good luck; you can do it!
And if this still feels like too much and you're curious about having us organize your mudroom for you, download our organizing guide to learn more about our process. Warmly, Sandi This is one of our favorite closets ever! This closet transformation was part of a ~10k square foot, whole-home organizing project that spanned several months. This closet was for a successful and very busy local professional. The closet was practically empty when they hired us, and his clothes were scattered around the house in various rooms and closets. He didn't have a designated place to get ready, which was stressful. He also had an extensive shoe/sneaker collection that wasn't being properly displayed. His spouse had some of her clothes in the closet but was getting her own closet designed in another space, so those items needed to be relocated so he could get full reign of the closet. Our Process & Project LaunchThe first step was locating all of his clothing, shoes, and accessories around the home. Then we sorted all the clothes into like categories. He had many high-end and specialty clothing items that we wanted to store and showcase properly. We switched out all wire and plastic hangers with either wooden hangers for suits or thin black velvet hangers for jackets, button-downs, t-shirts, and pants. We disposed of all dry-cleaning bags. These don't let your clothes breathe and are only meant to be used to keep your clothes clean on the trip home. Home Organizing Revealed The finished product was jaw-dropping. All clothing items were organized by category on matching hangers. Our favorite part of this closet was the shoe wall. We used clear drop-front shoe boxes to create a massive shoe display. With this, we were able to showcase a vibrant wall of colors and allowed the different sneaker designs to be easily visible. It is truly stunning to look at, and we didn't want to leave! We displayed some specialty and overflow shoes, such as taller cowboy boots, on the built-in shoe shelves as well. This closet had it all! There was even a tie bar for his beautiful tie collection, and we created a hat shelf to display his many hats. We organized a drawer for his pocket squares and other formal accessories. Lastly, we added grey, labeled baskets on the upper shelves for loose items, such as snow gear and memorabilia. Having his newly organized closet made a big difference for our client. He no longer had to get dressed in a random guest room of the house. Everything was organized and easy to find. He could admire his sneaker collection and pick which pair to wear with ease.
The best part of organizing this closet was his reaction. Our entire team of organizers was there, and we had a big reveal when he got home from work. He was beaming, loved his newly organized closet, and said he could tell we really care about what we do. That was a great compliment to receive because we really do care a lot! Thanks for joining us to learn more about this gorgeous closet. We hope you enjoyed the photos and stellar shoe wall. Are you curious about what it's like to work with professional organizers and want to learn more? Download our organizing guide here. Warmly, Sandi No one loves to move. Some surveys say it's the most stressful life event of all. But moving doesn't have to be a dreaded, horrible experience. What you need is a support system and team to help you through. We deal with moves every day, and love helping our clients have a less stressed and more pleasant experience. Read ahead for our five tips to a better move. Tip #1: Embrace a Generous Purge for a Lighter LifestyleBefore moving is the best time to declutter and let go of what no longer serves you. It may seem like there's too much going on, but you'll be so happy you did it before packing up your whole home. You only realize how much stuff you have once you have to put it in a box. When you declutter first, you'll have less stuff to pack, less to pay to move, and less to find a place in your new home. You should start decluttering ideally a few months before the big move day. We recommend that professionals help you declutter to keep you motivated and efficient (read our 3 reasons to hire an organizer to help you declutter here). Think about how good it will feel to move into your new home with only items that you actually use and love. Your team of organizers can quickly unpack and organize your new home for success without having to spend hours decluttering things. You'll have enough to do in your new home without deciding how many pairs of shoes to keep. Tip #2: Prep Thoughtfully to Expedite the Process There are a few things you can do to help us do our job of packing your home more smoothly and quickly.
Tip #3: Prevent Some Packing to Streamline Your LifeFind a spot for a "no pack" zone. This can be a closet, room, bathroom, etc. Label it as such so the movers know, too. They are essentials you'll need until you're settled in your new space. Think of it like packing for a mini vacation that's less fun and has no sightseeing. You'll likely bring these “no pack” items in the car with you. You can also use sticky notes to label items or areas “no pack,” like your toiletries on the bathroom counter. We can also help with this during the packing process if you prefer! Here are some common items you might want in your "no pack zone":
Tip #4: Plan Strategically to Guide Our UnpackingThe more info we get about your new home, the better we can pack and plan the unpacking accordingly. We would like to know what will be changing in your new home so that we can fill boxes for the rooms they'll go in in your new home, not where they are currently. For example, your kids' toys may be currently in their bedrooms (and scattered throughout the house), but there will be a playroom in the new home where you'd like the toys. We would want to label and pack toys as “playroom” so the movers can put them in your new playroom. You don't want boxes of toys in their new bedrooms that don't belong there, and then you're stuck hauling boxes around after the movers leave. Before unpacking, we plan with clients about what space to unpack first. We recommend unpacking the kitchen first so you can return to eating normally as soon as possible. This will make you feel more at home since you eat multiple times daily and need energy to get settled! After that, we usually do bedroom closets and then bathrooms. These are the areas that will make you feel most at home by being able to get dressed and ready in the morning. Then come other areas like playrooms, bedrooms, offices, living rooms, laundry rooms, and garages. We can make a game plan based on your priorities. Tip #5: Pay for Pros to Give You Peace of Mind At Hello Simplified, we make moving easier. We declutter with you before the move, we pack your items with the utmost care and in an organized and planned-out fashion, and we unpack and organize your new home with speed, beauty, and function. Also, you'll still need a way to get your items from Point A to Point B. Please don't just hire the cheapest movers, as tempting as it can be. There can be a huge difference between companies because their staff may not be thoroughly trained, and they pack your items into huge semi-trucks with someone else's home. I've seen horror stories where things take weeks to arrive at the new home or the entire home's contents are lost. You want movers who can move your items the same day, take meticulous care wrapping and handling all furniture and boxes, and know how to set up your furniture accurately. I learned the hard way when I was young and hired cheap movers. I went to lie down on my bed the first night in my new home, and it collapsed under me. The movers had no idea how to put my bed together, and instead of telling me, they just screwed a few things together and placed the mattress on top. Learn from my mistake and give yourself the gift of great movers. A little planning goes a long way in helping your move to be less stressful and happen smoothly and efficiently. Bringing in the pros will take a huge burden off of you. We'd love to help with all your decluttering, packing, and unpacking needs. You don't have to do this alone, and asking for help is ok. You'll feel so relieved once you know we've got your move covered.
If you're overwhelmed with the idea of moving, download our organizing guide to learn more about working with a professional organizer. Warmly, Sandi |
About UsAt Hello Simplified, we specialize in organizing and decluttering services & packing and unpacking services for moves/relocations. Read through for tips on how we help our clients feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their busy lives and homes during big life changes. Archives
March 2024
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