How Professional Organizers Think – 7 Steps to Success

By Barb Eimer

Have you ever wondered how a professional organizer thinks? How do we get spaces from “blah” to gorgeous?  Of course, the most important step is to listen to what our client is saying and what they want the space to be.  Whether there is a written plan, or this is just in the organizer’s mind, these are the questions we ask and the steps we take to make your home your happy place. Over the next few weeks, we will go over seven steps to effectively organize a home. 

1. Assess

We ask a lot of questions. 

What’s working?  What’s not working?

Does the room serve its intended purpose?  If not, what should it be doing?

What are the essential items needed for this space?

What’s causing the mess/issue?

What kind of organizing fits your style?  i.e. jeans hung or folded, do you need to see it to know it’s there, are you a minimalist, etc.

2. Plan

Sometimes people feel guilty hiring a professional organizer.  They think they should be able to tackle the mess themselves. The question then becomes not “Can you do it?” but “Will you do it yourself?” 

During this stage, once it’s determined that you want help, we talk about time and budget parameters. We definitely give suggestions but focus on listening, so that your vision comes to life. The key question we ask in this stage is “What would make you happy? What would you like to see this space become?”  

In the next installment, we will learn about implementing the plan and assigning homes.