APRIL 2024

Hello, organizing clients and friends!

How long does home organizing take? As examples of what is possible in a single organizing session, below are ‘before & after’ photos from four different homes I worked in this past month.

While every room is different, the organizing process is similar. Decluttering and categorizing are key to creating open, functional spaces, so clients and I always begin by sorting through closets, cupboards, and shelves in the space.

Some discarded items go in the trash, but most I am able to donate or recycle. For the clients below, I recycled their electronics at InterConnection and donated their toys to Westside Baby, pet supplies to West Seattle Animal Hospital, art supplies to ReCreative, and clothes to Mary’s Place and Goodwill.

After significant decluttering in all four rooms pictured below, the clients and I then arranged their spaces for greater functionality and aesthetics:

Home office 'before & after' = 4 hours



For this home office, greater functionality meant using the built-in cupboard more effectively by repurposing totes to store categories of items (electronics, gaming, go pro, projects). Moving forward, we talked about adding Wall Control metal pegboard along the back wall to display and store cords and electronic parts for current projects.

Playroom 'before & after' = 3.5 hours

For this playroom, greater functionality meant moving the office furniture into a different room, moving outside toys to the outdoors for spring, and creating different ‘zones’ of activities for the children to engage with (books, play kitchen, art supplies, building toys).

Laundry room / art storage 'before & after' = 4 hours

In this laundry room, the client made great use of inexpensive black plastic bins from Target for storing pet and cleaning supplies, white plastic KUGGIS boxes from Ikea for storing art supplies, and plastic drink tumblers she had on hand for storing paint brushes and pens.

Walk-in closet 'before & after' = 4.5 hours

In this walk-in closet, by effectively using the drawers and hanging rods, we freed up an entire wall of shelving that is also the hallway’s visual focal point. We talked about replacing the extraneous shelving with a big mirror or piece of art plus an armchair or padded bench for both function and beauty.

As you can see, big transformations are possible

in even a single home organizing session!

Ready to schedule an organizing session?

Happy to help!

Returning clients, text 206-932-2939 or email lisajoholtby@gmail.com.

New clients, please schedule a (free) consult call.

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Photos, FAQs, how-to videos, and podcast interviews are on my website.

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