There’s a big difference between a house and a home. A house (or, for many of us, it’s a condo or apartment) is simply a roof over your head, a place to sleep, somewhere to cook, and a location to store your stuff. On the other hand, a home embraces you, helps you relax and … Read more
We have just wrapped up a household move project with one of my long-time clients. As with most projects, the less time it takes, the less stressful it will be. And one of the best ways to free yourself from moving stress is by asking for help. It takes a village of people to execute … Read more
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 things to do before you start a renovation that should help you avoid the pitfalls and bring your project to completion on time and within your budget. The key components of any renovation project are … 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 at home with zones. Setting up zones makes it easy to put things back where they belong, and, more importantly, find what you need. This process can take a lot of thought and planning. Pay attention to how and where you use things … 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
Merging two households into one can be challenging. I have worked with dozens of couples over the years who have come together later in life after living in their own homes. And I did it myself, just one year ago! If you’re planning on moving in together, consider the points below. They will help make … 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 learn about lighting? What does that have to do with organizing and design, you might ask? A lot, actually! Proper thought, planning, and choosing the right lights and lamps can make or break your space. You know how much I love lists, so here are ten tips for … 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