I believe getting organized is the first step to creating a beautiful home.
And, it’s difficult to love a cluttered home.
So, I’ve asked professional organizer, Geralin Thomas, to share her tips on how to get organized.
Here’s our interview:
Q. How does organization, or lack of, affect us in our homes?
A. Clutter and disorganization can affect your wellbeing in a number of ways including damaging your health and making you feel completely stressed and overwhelmed. However, I think the financial costs of a cluttered home are the most far-reaching. Here are just a few ways clutter can negatively affect your budget:
Missed deadlines
Damaged valuables
Duplicate purchases
Storage rentals
Q. For those struggling to get started or overwhelmed by the process, can you suggest where and how to get started?
A. The best way to prevent feeling overwhelmed with a big organizing project is to break it up into what I like to call Tiny Tasks. Start with a small area, like a portion of your kitchen counter or the coffee table in your living room. Work to organize that one spot and maintain it for a few days. Small accomplishments will help to motivate you to continue on your journey toward organization.
Q. What are your favorite resources for organizational supplies?
A. I love everyday items that make managing modern life easier. Here are a few of my favourite examples:
-Wall-mounted magnetic bars can hold anything from kitchen knives to kids’ toys.
-Small decorative bowls placed throughout the house store keys, watches and loose change.
-Desk organizers are a must have for every home office and create unique spaces for office supplies.
-Color-coded tabs identify which cables to go which electronics and help tame cord chaos.
-Magazine folders hold much more than magazines, including mail, kids’ homework or documents you need to file or scan.
A few of my favorite apps are: Dropbox, MyFitnessPal, Mint, Bright Nest, Evernote, AroundMe, Hipmunk and Unroll.me.
Q. When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
A. When I want to feel inspired, I seek out creative ideas. Organizing systems need to serve a functional purpose, but they should also be beautiful and easy to use. I’m always inspired by the work of interior designers. A few of my favorites include: Jan Showers, Phoebe Howard and Mary MacDonald.
Q. What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
A. My best advice is don’t be afraid to hire an expert. Investing money to hire a team of experts to do what you don’t want to do or can’t do can save you money and a lot of stress. For example, if you want to appear more professional on your website and blog, hire an editor or copywriter to check over your writing. Or, if it would take you two days to do what an accountant could do in a few hours, hire the professional and stay focused on what you love doing.
Q. Thank you, Geralin, for sharing your tips with us. Before you go, would you please share your top 5 picks for organizing products this season?
A. Top 5 Picks:
1) Mirrored magazine rack for holding magazines and books.
2) Decorative bowls to hold watches, keys, rings or loose change.
3) Tiered tables — perfect for small spaces.
4) Gorgeous trays make it easier to lift things and clean under or around items.
5) Bamboo bar carts. They’re versatile and can be used in any room of the house. Imagine using one as a nightstand or putting it in the bathroom to hold lotions, potions and towels.
Those are some very inspiring picks. I especially love those jadeite dishes. And, thank you so much, Geralin, for sharing your expertise with us today.
Visit Geralin’s blog, Metropolitan Organizing and take the Clutter Personality Quiz. (I’m a “Behind-Closed-Doors Clutterer.)
See you in class,
Geralin is a professional organizer in the Raleigh, North Carolina area where she and her team provide organizing services to home owners. She is a master trainer in her field and was named Best Chronic Disorganization Expert in 2013.
Geralin has shared her expertise on A&E’s Hoarders, The Nate Berkus Show, and Today to name a few.
Mary Jo Hamilton says
I really enjoyed the organizing help and tips for the home…..everytime I see new things you post I continue to be impressed, I really enjoy your blog. 🙂
P.S. One thing I thought of to maybe add to the list of suggestions for organization is…..weeding out the home, so many people have never really weeded out their home, getting rid of things they haven’t used or worn in a year or more….most people have way too much excess!!
Jennifer says
Ooo, loved hearing from an expert! I keep thinking of hiring a professional organizer myself since when we got married about three years ago I just moved my stuff in along with my husband (as in he didn’t clear out any of his stuff), then we had a kid soon after, and another kid soon after that and all their paraphernalia. So our house needs a good clean out and sorting and obviously (at least thirty-one days of cleaning!).
Mrs. Hines says
Mary Jo, thank you so much for your kind words. The compliment means a lot to me.
Totally agree about weeding out the home…we’re going to talk a little more about that in the next couple of days.
Mrs. Hines says
I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview, Jennifer.
Geralin @ Metropolitan Organizing says
Hey Jennifer, If you aren’t sure what to ask when hiring a professional organizer, I’ve created a list of questions that you’re welcome to use when calling around and interviewing them.
Here’s a link to help save you time (you can cut and paste it into your browser)
http://metropolitanorganizing.com/professional-organizer-training/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-a-professional-organizer/
Geralin @ Metropolitan Organizing says
Mary Jo, I agree that Sharon’s blog is always a fun, worth-while read. And, the photos are nice too. Glad you enjoyed the post and I agree 100% – edit/prune/trim the contents of your closets, cabinets, drawers, etc. as often as possible to keep clutter to a minimum.