Thinking it’s time to start to declutter and get organized? Yay! First, read this post to hear some common mistakes, misconceptions, and tips from team TLD. Although we appreciate all good intentions, here are 10 things as professional organizers we wish you wouldn’t do! 

1.     Thinking you only need to organize one area of your home

Marie Kondo preaches this principle, and we agree with her. Although you may think that your entryway is a disaster and the rest of your house is manageable, when you start to organize – you need to keep that momentum going. Think about finishing that entryway; all jackets and shoes are perfectly put in place. You’re done! Then you realize you have several jackets and shoes upstairs, in the kids’ rooms, and that random umbrella in the office. Until every part of your home truly has functioning systems, spaces will keep unravelling and you’ll feel less accomplished. 

 2.     Having Unrealistic Expectations

Now that you know you need to tackle more than one space, be realistic about the time and effort the organizing process will take. While we wish we could wave a magic wand to get you decluttered, it doesn’t quite work like that. Decisions will need to be made, product may need to be purchased, and it can be easy to get distracted. For some encouragement on how to get started and keep going, check out our recent blog post here. 

3.     Cleaning up / organizing before professional organizers arrive

You don’t clean before the cleaners arrive, right? We want to see how you’re living and what is and isn’t working for you so we can help accordingly. We are a judgement-free team! If we can’t see the problem areas in your home then we can’t solve the problems.

4.     Deeming everything you’re getting rid of as trash

We LOVE that you want to purge some items! It feels so good to get things you aren’t using out of your space, but please consider where these items can go. I think we can all be guilty of the easy way out. Bring food items you don’t see yourself using to your local food pantry, scraps of fabric and clothing to textile recycling; even think of selling/donating online. The extra step it takes to think about where it’s going can make a huge difference to your community. Check out our resources page for some great options.

5.     Holding onto items because they were a gift, expensive, or because you have some feeling of guilt surrounding it

This may be the hardest obstacle to overcome. We see it often and we’re guilty of it, too! Ultimately, the decision to hold onto something is completely up to you. Yes, it can be hard to say goodbye to the designer clothing that doesn’t fit anymore, but think of how happy someone else may be in it! As for gifts you feel guilty not keeping, I recommend reading this helpful blog post. Moral of the story: it’s okay to donate gifts! 

6.     Buying product before knowing what you need

People are sometimes surprised when we arrive for an organizing session without product like spice racks, bins, and shoe organizers. A big mistake we see is buying before taking inventory of exactly what you need organized. Seeing what you have and knowing not only the volume, but the system that will work for you and your space (hint: we measure EVERYTHING) is crucial before buying the right solution. Spice racks for example can work great laying in a drawer, mounted to a wall, or in a cabinet. It depends on the amount of spice jars you have, dimensions of the products, and how the kitchen needs to function for you. 

7.     Choosing form over function

Organizing has become its own type of ~aesthetic~ recently and although I am completely supportive of beautifully organized spaces, be careful that what product you end up purchasing is right for you and the space. Think about what is realistic: will you continue to decant your pastas and snacks into canisters over time? I personally love to because it cuts down on the bulk of some boxes, but it doesn’t work for everyone. 

8.     Believing you have to spend a lot of money on organizing products

This is a huge misconception going around right now! Getting organized is not about buying cohesive bins to make things look tidy. We are big believers that product can help tie a space together, but it is certainly not the only way to achieve your organization goals. Repurpose what you already have, think outside of the box (literally), and commit some time to organizing daily. That’s priceless. 

9.     Not leaving room to grow

 Back to that perfectly organized entryway. You got that last coat hung up and everything fits in its place without feeling cluttered. What happens if you have guests over? You get a new coat? Always try to leave room in your space for the inevitable or try adopting the one in, one out rule. For me, it’s mugs. I have a certain amount of cabinet space for mugs and if I want a new one, I think about one I need to say goodbye to before purchasing.

10.  Forgetting to acknowledge where you started and how far you’ve come!

 Try not to get caught up in what’s next or how much more you need to do. If you have taken on the project of completely organizing your home, acknowledge the hard work that is the organizing process: all the time you put in, decisions you’ve made, and be proud of that. Like many things, it is a lifelong process and will never be perfect – just keep doing your best.