How to Spot a Great Professional Organizer

There are SO many professional organizers out there, with more entering the profession every day. This is great: that means that there will be more providers available to help even more people get organized! But it can also be overwhelming. In a sea of professional organizers, all of them creating ever more digital content from blogs and YouTube videos to Instagram stories and TikTok videos, how do you figure out who to trust?

You can’t always tell how good a professional organizer is at making an impact in actual homes by their smiling face, pretty website, or well designed logo. But if you check out their content and you know what to look for, you can spot the true gems: the best professional organizers who will really be able to inspire you and help you get organized.

There are four things you should look for when trying to determine if a professional organizer is the real deal.

1. They’re thorough.  Some organizers don’t actually want to go through every single piece of everything in the space they’re working on, whether it’s to save time and effort or to avoid stressing out the client.  Those are both worthy aims, but in the end the main goal is to leave the client with a fully organized space that they can maintain on their own.  If the client hasn’t seen absolutely everything they have, this just won’t happen. Beware if an organizer only talks abut what they bought and how they arranged it, rather than what they’re storing and why!

2. They tailor solutions to each individual client. Many people love the idea of a beautifully curated pantry a la the Kardashians.  But decanting everything you buy into labeled boxes and bins only works if… you’re willing to take the time to decant everything you buy into said boxes and bins!  For some people this is realistic, and for some it’s not.  A good professional organizer will find out what works for the client and tailor their solutions accordingly, rather than imposing their idea of what an organized space should look like. Beware if all of an organizer’s finished projects look exactly the same!

3. They focus on simplicity.  People who struggle with organization need less, not more, of everything: less stuff, fewer places to stash it, fewer types of containers, fewer steps needed to complete a task.  Simple organizing solutions are the ones most likely to last. Beware if an organizer doesn’t bring up decluttering, editing, or curating as an important part of the organization process!

4. They understand the intersection of stuff and habits.  This intersection will be at a different point for each client.  Some clients are so excited about a new organizing scheme that new habit formation easily follows.  Others need the organization tailored to the habits they already have – even if that solution isn’t the most aesthetically elegant. Beware if an organizer promises an amazing finished product without ever talking about the work it will take to maintain it!

After working with a great professional organizer, your space will work for you… and it will look beautiful!  See for yourself: schedule a complimentary phone consultation with me today.

LMW