5 Winning Tips the Press Couldn’t Resist!

It has been a fun few months.

Several national publications have recently quoted my organizing advice, including Real Simple, Apartment Therapy, Good Housekeeping, Homes & Gardens, and Southern Living.

Seeing my organizing ideas reach a wider audience is always exciting because it means more people are discovering that a calm, manageable home really is possible.

I thought it might be helpful to gather a few of the tips from those articles here. Each one addresses a common organizing challenge that many of us face.

1 - Apartment Therapy: Visual Clutter & Lack of a Mantel

Small living rooms are one of the most common challenges people face. In my virtual consult featured in Apartment Therapy, the goal was to create more function without adding more stuff.

One simple idea was to create display space even when architectural features are missing. For example, when a home doesn’t have a fireplace mantel, a cabinet or console can serve as a display place for art or personal pieces.

Another big culprit in small spaces is visual clutter. Even something as simple as tangled electronics can make a room feel chaotic. I recommended keeping cords and media items in baskets so they are visually unobtrusive while remaining easy to access.

2 - Good Housekeeping: What to Toss From Your Desk

Your desk should support your productivity, not sabotage it.

As I explained in the article, paper piles build faster than people realize, and much of what sits on a desk has already been handled or is no longer relevant.

Other common desk clutter includes:

•  Duplicate office supplies
•  Extra cords and chargers
•  Too many sentimental items
•  Sticky notes multiplying across the workspace

A productive desk usually has fewer items than people expect. The goal is to keep what you truly use within reach and move everything else out of the way.

3 - Real Simple: Smart Hacks for Small Entryways

Entryways are one of the hardest areas to keep organized because they collect everything coming into the house.

In Real Simple, I mentioned how I hate freestanding coat racks and recommend wall hooks or back of door hooks instead.

Without designated homes, everyday items start forming piles. With simple systems to keep things organized, the entryway becomes the easiest place in the house to maintain.

4 - Homes & Gardens: The “Great Over Good” Decluttering Mindset

One of the most powerful shifts people can make while decluttering is letting go of things that are merely “good.”

Many people hold onto items because they are still usable, even if they are not truly loved or useful. But keeping too many “good” items takes up space for things that are actually great.

When people embrace this mindset, they start curating their homes rather than just storing things.  The result is less clutter and a home filled with items that genuinely serve their lives.

5 - Southern Living: Closet Clutter and How to Get Rid of It

Closets are another space where clutter slowly creeps in.

When it comes to determining what to save, sell, or donate, I recommend: “If it doesn’t fit, flatter, or suit your life now, bless it and release it!”

Also, be realistic about what you try to sell. Handbags and jewelry, which fit most people, may be the best place to focus your efforts rather than hard-to-fit items like jeans.

The Bigger Idea

What all of these articles have in common is a simple principle. Organizing is not about perfection; it's about making everyday life easier.

Small changes in your everyday spaces can have a surprisingly big impact on how your home feels.  And I’m always delighted when my ideas reach a wider audience through the media.