Design and organization changes lives

client project: color, styling, finishes

What do you think is the common frustration most every client I've worked with (so far in 2023) has expressed to me? It's clutter and a lack of organization in their home. An overstuffed closet or an unwieldly collection of plastic containers may come to mind but it's more than this.

It's stepping over an assortment of shoes that have no convenient storage place. It's bags and coats that have fallen onto the floor because the hooks or hangers aren't functional. It's carrying a load of groceries into the house and having no place to quickly set them down. It's feeling that familiar anxiety that arises every time you open the door to a cabinet that doesn't have an inch to spare. It's seeing stacks of clothing on the dresser tops or spilling out of the drawers. It's having to step over a pile of clothing because there's no convenient place to put them in a hurry when you can't seem to find the right thing to wear.

Marie Kondo teaches her methods of "tidy up" and "spark joy." If you type her name into Google, you'll see "Wellness, Organization, & More" in the description of her website. Wellness. Let that sink in for a minute. Julie Morganstern is an author and speaker who teaches about organizing and productivity and her approach to each is from the "inside out." This means that organizing from what is inside of us, our natural tendencies, leads to productivity. California Closets is the leader in custom storage solutions. Look them up and you'll see that celebrities Marie Kondo, Martha Stewart, and Jeremiah Brent have each partnered with them in some way. They are intending to inspire with "Ideas of Order," "Sparking Joy," and "Everyday Living Made Simple." It's exciting to me to see all of these people talking about the connection between wellness/wellbeing and how it's related to organizing home. 

client project: design of closet system

If you don't already know this about me, I LOVE everything related to home; decorating, designing, painting, and organizing. As I'm approaching my ten year anniversary for Jody Pear Designs, I've realized that my favorite projects have been mud rooms, laundry rooms, closets, and kitchens. Thoughtfully designing each of these spaces has given me the opportunity to create a foundation that literally improves lives because it improves the flow and functions my clients experience in their home every day. I don't take this or say this lightly. Design and organization changes lives.

If you want to hire professional help, do a Google search for "Designers near me." You'll find interior designers, kitchen designers, closet designers, and more. You can also search for "Organizers near me" and don't forget to research their ratings and reviews. It's such a powerful way to help you make an informed decision for your specific needs.

client project: color, finishes, styling

So, if you're like many of the people I've been talking to recently and feeling that your spaces are cluttered or unorganized, know that it's often a simple solution that makes a big impact. For my client who was frustrated by her husband's habit of stacking his clothes on the dresser top, I suggested she follow his natural tendencies by installing open shelves inside the closet. Now, he can stack things the way he wants to and their bedroom feels more relaxing and tidy.

You can hear more ideas like this on Home With Intention (formerly called My Joyful Organized Home). It's a podcast and video series I created with professional organizer, Kathy Feltz, owner of Open Space Organizing. We spent two years having conversations about organizing, designing, and decorating home spaces and you can listen or watch for more inspiration and guidance.

How can you better organize your home? Start small by noticing what frustrates you or causes some level of negative feelings. Then, create a plan to improve it. Your awareness of how you feel is the key.