So, you have decided to hire a professional organizer. You have your session in the books, and you cannot wait to begin. So, what do you do? First, take a deep breath and relax. And most importantly- do NOT go cleaning up and organizing your home. That is what you hired your professional organizer to do. 

Instead, we offer a few things you can do to make your organizing session more effective for your home. 

01 | Know Your Why

One of the most important things to narrow down before your professional organizer arrives is your why. 

What does your why look like? 

What would organized spaces do for you? What would they feel like? What impact does being organized or disorganized have on your day-to-day life? What led you to pursue a professional organizer?

Get real with your why. It will help you tackle this project with clarity and determination. When we know our why, we work harder to achieve our goals. When your professional organizer shows up and knows why they are there, they can approach your project with empathy, understanding, and all the tools they need to help you achieve maximum results.

02 | Discover Your Aesthetic

Have you ever had to describe your style to someone? Even if your current spaces do not reflect the style you love, knowing it can help your professional organizer bring your home to life in a beautiful, orderly way.

Consider what aesthetic you are going for ahead of time. Your style may be as simple as functional or orderly. It may look magazine-worthy or pin-worthy. No matter what you discover you love when your organizer has an idea of what you are looking for, they can better target their product recommendations for your spaces. 

Maybe you like rainbow order in acrylic containers as seen on The Home Edit. Some clients prefer a more sustainable option with hyacinth baskets and bamboo containers. Maybe you prefer a clean look with white metal and bamboo containers… or a dramatic black metal and glass… If the end result fits your budget and feels inspiring to you, that is what’s important. 

03 | Identify Current Flow + Function

Here is a quick way to give your professional organizer a starting point. Grab a pen and paper and wander through your spaces. Make a pros and cons list, except it, will be a what IS and IS NOT working for you list. 

Consider major traffic areas as you create a list. Your closet, pantry, kitchen, mudroom, etc. are all areas that need to have flow and function to enhance your living space. 

Once you have this list ready for your Denver organizer, you can work together to tackle those pain points. This list also gives you an idea of where the highest and lowest priority areas may be in your home.

04 | Set Sentimental Boundaries

One of the main reasons you may have struggled to get organized on your own is your sentimental attachment to, well, everything. Sentimental objects are important, but too many of them can result in clutter. Before you get started sorting and editing with your professional organizer, set a boundary on how many sentimental items are allowed to stay. 

There is no wrong answer or way to set your boundaries. For some people, it may be as small as a box, and for others, it could be a room. Whatever it is for you, having boundaries in place gives you a hard stop on how many sentimental items get to stay. It also helps your organizer keep you on track with your project. 

05 | Bulk Shopping Helps Immensely

It is hard to organize for anyone an empty pantry! We highly recommend clients go stock up on everything before a pantry or kitchen organization session. Why? Having the maximum amount of products that are typically in your space will allow us to create systems that hold everything. 

If we organize when you are half-stocked or less, those systems we put in place may not work as well as when you have a fully stocked space. 

Try not to go overboard with your shopping. If you regularly have three extra rolls of paper towels, buying 10+ isn’t going to help your household remain optimally organized. Your session will go over best when you stock to your usual maximum. 

Bonus Prep Steps Every Professional Organizer Loves

You went through all the tough preparations, like discovering your personal style or thinking about the benefits of having an organized home. Now, focus on those simple household tasks you can tackle before your organizing session. 

These bonus prep steps get your spaces ready for organization from the moment your session begins. As professional organizers, we may not want you picking up every nook and cranny, but prep steps help us tackle those important spaces without missing a dirty or forgotten item. 

Do the Laundry. 

Are you ready to get your closet neat and tidy? Are you prepared to edit out all those items that are not sparking joy anymore? Doing your laundry is the first step to helping your professional organizer get your closet in shape. When you have all of your laundry clean and ready to go, it helps your organizer know what you have before they start sorting, purging, and editing alongside you.

Run the Dishwasher. 

Yes, those dishes need cleaning before you get your kitchen in shape! Do not waste your organizer's time by having a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Clean dishes, stacked neatly and ready to go, will help the kitchen and pantry organization process go smoother.

Get Ready for the Transformation of a Lifetime

Deciding to get organized is a big step for many homeowners. We know how hard it is to let someone into your home and life when it is not at its best. We also know how frustrated you have been with your untidy home and mismanaged spaces. 

With all of your organizational goals in mind, Organized by Keli & Co is ready to meet you where you are. Let’s work together to achieve your goals and set you up for success. 

Set up your complimentary consultation and walk us through your stressors, needs, and goals. We look forward to helping you discover the freedom an organized life brings. 

Originally posted MAY 22, 2022