Did you know nearly 75% of people can’t put a car in their garage? I know, it’s shocking, isn’t it? I’m guessing that you had to have a garage to put the car in when you were house shopping. This is especially true of Canadians because clearing snow and ice off your car on cold, … Read more
During the past 20 years working as a Professional Organizer and Interior Decorator, I have decluttered and designed dozens of home offices. Having a functional and beautiful space to work from home is absolutely crucial whether you are working for someone else, running your own business, or managing your household. If you enjoy being in … Read more
It might seem counterintuitive but, in my experience, one of the main reasons most people struggle with disorganization is that they have trouble managing time. Here’s the thing. You can’t really manage time; you can only use it wisely to accomplish the most important things that you need to and want to do. And if … Read more
Today I am sharing a few things clients have tried over the years. These are five organizing pitfalls to avoid because they don’t work. I’m telling you now so you can implement better solutions right from the start. If already have these problems, you can fix them right away. This will lead you to have … Read more
Having worked on dozens of renovations with clients over the last 20 years, I can share with you these ten tips that should help you avoid the pitfalls and bring your renovation to completion on time and on budget. The key components of any renovation project are to have a sense of humour, a lot … Read more
I hate to admit it, but September is here, which means Fall is upon us very soon. That means it’s time to revisit your wardrobe and do a good purge of your clothing closet. Here are some tips to help get you on your way. Start by pulling everything out of the closet – and … Read more
One space in your home that has a lot of different categories of stuff and can be difficult to get organized and keep organized is the kitchen. Doing a proper analysis of your storage needs is key and super important if you are planning to renovate your kitchen. Depending on how much cooking you do … Read more
As you declutter your home and create a plan to get organized and stay organized, it is a good idea to learn how to set up zones so that it is easy to put things back where they belong, and, more importantly, so you can find what you need. This process can take a lot … Read more
As a Professional Organizer with 20 years experience, I have been asked many times what to do with the china collection that has never been used. After all, it’s a collection and those aren’t actually meant be touched at all, are they? Well, that’s an ongoing debate if you are trying to become more organized … Read more
If you are embracing a minimalist lifestyle and are obsessed, like I am, with tiny homes, small spaces and living with less, this post will definitely be of interest to you. After all these years working in design and helping clients declutter and organize their lives, I know that less definitely gives you more. More … Read more
My organizing clients ask me all the time about selling or donating items that they no longer want or need. I know it is difficult to accept that most of what you paid a lot of money for years ago is no longer valuable. There are exceptions to that for sure. Here are some helpful … Read more
Are you dealing with the ongoing chaos with the coming and going of kids and their stuff? What is it about adult children using the family home as a storage facility? If you are about to downsize this situation is something you may be dealing with. One way to solve the problem is to decide … Read more
I am not a professionally trained stager, but after 20 years of helping my clients move, I do know that decluttering your home is the first step to preparing it for sale. Even if you’re not selling, pretend you are staging and see how it feels. It will definitely be more open and inviting and … Read more
Combining two households into one is never easy. I have worked with dozens of couples who have come together later in life after living in their own homes. And I did it myself just one year ago. Before you do anything, please sit down and take some time to be sure you are both on … Read more
Are you thinking of moving and getting super stressed about where to start? During my career as a Professional Organizer, I have helped dozens of clients prepare for their move, unpack, and set up their new homes. With that experience in mind, here are four things you should consider when planning your move to a … Read more
The BIG Downsize, Season 4 takes you down memory lane and on a new downsizing journey when professional organizer, Jane Veldhoven takes on a new client with too much stuff and visits clients from previous seasons. Jane also tackles her own downsizing challenge when she and her boyfriend decide to move in together. The five-part … Read more
Who knew there was so much to know about lighting. What does that have to do with organizing and design you might ask? A lot actually. Proper thought and planning and choosing the right lighting can make or break your space. You know how much I love lists, so here goes. Below are ten tips … Read more
It suddenly occurred to me as I was putting away a few things in my own home that not everyone is a fan of putting stuff away. I mean, really, why put something away if you are just going to use it again? How do you know whether to put something away or leave it … Read more
Each new year gives us yet another chance for a fresh start. Maybe now is the time to ask yourself how you can live the next year in the best possible way. What goals can you set to help you have a happy and successful year? And more importantly, how can you make time to … Read more
Perfectionism can be a blessing and a curse. As a recovering perfectionist, I speak from experience. When perfectionists do something, they do it really, really well. Once they start something, they complete it but perhaps it takes them a little or a lot longer than others. Perfectionists hold themselves and others to very high standards … Read more