Houston Home Makeover: Professional Organizer Edition

Who doesn’t love a good HGTV home makeover show?  Love It Or List It, No Demo Reno, and Fixer to Fabulous are a few of my favorite on-in-the-background options.

Fortunately, you don’t need to knock down walls, spend tons of money, or demo anything to experience a home transformation! 

I get to help Houston moms transform their homes from taxing to-dos to relaxing retreats through sustainable organization. It’s amazing how different a space can feel when it’s clean, organized, and customized for your lifestyle. 

Organizing a home and keeping it that way requires strategic planning and thoughtful solutions. From tiny closets to giant great rooms, we customize, organize, and transform spaces all over Houston. Every project is different, but we apply the same organizational principles for each space to take our clients from feeling overwhelmed to overjoyed with their homes. Here are a few principles for organizing each space. 

Garage: Heat-Resistant Storage Solutions

Garage organization goals are typically are more efficiency and less clutter. Houston garages also require the unique consideration of heat and pest resistant storage. Our go-to garage organization solutions are: 

1. Metal Shelving: Metal shelves withstand heat better than plastic or wood. Opt for powder-coated steel for added durability.
2. Overhead Storage: Maximize vertical space with overhead racks for seasonal items and seldom-used equipment.
3. Heat-Resistant Containers: Choose containers made of polypropylene or other heat-resistant materials to prevent warping and damage.
4. Pegboards for Tools: Keep tools off surfaces with a pegboard. Metal pegboards are preferable in hot climates as they don’t warp.
5. Bike Racks: Save space and keep bikes off the floor with wall-mounted bike racks. For bikes that you or your kids need to access more frequently, I like this bike rack stand. 

Check out one of our recent Houston garage organization projects for more details on our process and products.

Kitchen: Creating an Efficient Culinary Space

Life happens in kitchens. A space historically reserved for cooking and food prep is now where many families choose to eat, gather, and host guests. The secret to an organized kitchen is creating a compact cooking zone and allowing the rest of the room to function as a living space. Here are some ways to accomplish that:

1. Zoning: Create zones for prep, cooking, baking, and cleaning. Store items close to where they are used most frequently. 
2. Clear Countertops: Keep countertops clear by storing small appliances in cabinets, on shelves, or in a pantry when not in use. More tips here!
3. Alternative Storage: Many things end up in the kitchen that have nothing to do with cooking, such as mail, kids’ stuff, backpacks, and keys. Creating spaces to put these items close by helps keep your kitchen clutter-free. 

To get started, check out this post on how to purge and simplify your kitchen!

Kitchen Cabinets: Maximizing Space

Kitchen cabinet organization is critical in creating an efficient and organized kitchen. It sounds pretty simple, but when you need certain items to stay in a “zone”, it often requires maximizing space in smaller areas. I use: 

1. Shelf Risers: Double your cabinet space by adding shelf risers for stacking dishes and cups.
2. Clear Containers: Use clear, stackabled containers with labels to store cooking ingredients.
3. Lazy Susans: Use Lazy Susans to help make items more accessible. This works well for small cabinets and items you want to keep together without taking up much space.

Kitchen Drawers: Orderly and Accessible

It’s the same concept with kitchen drawers. Part of the planning process is what should go in a cabinet vs. what works best in drawers based on size. A few of my favorite items are:

1. Drawer Dividers: Use adjustable dividers to keep utensils, gadgets, and tools separated and easy to find.
2. Flatware Trays: Invest in quality flatware trays that fit your drawers perfectly to keep silverware organized.
3. Labels: Label the inside of drawers to help family members return items to the right place.
4. Deep Drawer Solutions: Use deep drawers for pots and pans, and add dividers to keep lids organized.

Cabinet-Style Pantry: Smart and Efficient

Maximize a cabinet-style pantry with these strategies:

1. Use the Door: Hang racks or pockets on the door to store spices, packets, and other small items.
2. Vertical Space: Utilize vertical space with stackable containers and shelves.
3. Uniform Containers: Store food in uniform containers to save space and maintain a tidy appearance.
4. Pull-out drawers: Add pull-out drawers to use the full depts of your pantry while keeping items accessible without moving stuff around.

Walk-in Pantry: Systematic and Accessible

Many homes in Houston have Texas-sized, walk-in pantries, which are great but can quickly become disorganized. Here are a few tips for fitting and finding everything you need in your pantry: 

1. Categorize and Label: Group items by category and label containers.
2. Clear Bins: Use clear bins or wired bins for storing snacks so you can see what you have at a glance.
3. Clear Food Containers: Transfer pasta, rice, flour, and other frequently-used, dry ingredients into clear, airtight, labeled containers. It’s aesthically pleasing, convenient, and keep your food fresher for longer.
4. Regular Inventory Check: Check your inventory regularly to avoid overbuying. For foods you use less often, tape an expiration date to the bottom of the container for your reference.

Bathroom: A Serene and Functional Oasis

A well-organized bathroom can reduce getting-ready time and lower your stress level. Regardless of size, your bathroom can be a serene, organized oasis. A few of my go-to bathroom organization tips are: 

1. Under-Sink Storage: Maximize this space with stackable bins and pull-out drawers.
2. Medicine Cabinet: Use clear containers or bins to group similar items and keep small things from getting lost.
3. Towel Racks and Hooks: Install multiple towel racks and hooks for better use of wall space.

Bathroom Drawers: Neat and Tidy Essentials

Similar to your kitchen, organized bathroom drawers and cabinets are essential to your overall bathroom organization. To create clutter-free bathroom drawers, use:

1. Drawer Organizers: Use organizers to separate makeup, hair accessories, and grooming tools.
2. Small Containers: Store small items like cotton swabs and hair ties in small containers to avoid scattering.
3. Everyday Drawer: Create a drawer close to your sink of items you use every day, such as skincare products, toothpaste, and deodorant. 
4. Labeling: Label compartments to make it easy for everyone to maintain the order.

Large Closet: Organized and Spacious

Large closets are on the want list for most homeowners, and luckily, many Houston homes have them! What’s not on most homeowners want list is a cluttered closet, and avoiding that requires thoughtful organization. Here are few tips for organizing your large closet:

1. Categorize Clothing: Group clothes by type and color for easy access.
2. Double Hanging Rods: Install double rods to increase hanging space for shirts, pants, and skirts.
3. Shoe Racks: Use shoe racks or cubbies to keep footwear organized.
4. Storage Bins: Store seasonal items in labeled bins on high shelves.

Small Closet: Maximizing Every Inch

Small closets are one of my favorite organizer-nerd projects to tackle. I love finding creative ways to maximize every inch. A few of my favorite items for closet organization are:

1. Slim Hangers: Use slim, non-slip hangers to save space and keep clothes in place.
2. Hooks and Racks: Use hooks and racks for belts, scarves, and bags.
3. Clothing Bins: Use clothing bins or a cubby system for folded clothes and accessories.

Mudroom: A Tidy and Functional Drop Zone

The mudroom is often where clutter accumulates – backpacks, cleats, mail, bags, paperwork, you name it, it’s there.  Keep it organized with these strategies:

1. Cubbies and Lockers: Assign each family member a cubby or locker for shoes, bags, and coats. If you’re remodeling or building a mudroom, consider installing outlets in each cubby to store electronics. 
2. Hooks and Racks: Install small hooks for keys, badges, and other everyday small items. Use larger hooks for bags and coats. 
3. Bench with Storage: No lockers, no problem! A bench with storage underneath and hooks above can serve the same purpose. 
4. Shoe Baskets: Use open-air, wire shoe baskets to corral shoes and keep your floor tidy.

Playroom: Functional and Sustainable

Playrooms are a wonderful concept designed to keep your children’s many, many toys in one adorable space. However, the playrooms of Pinterest often don’t match reality. Many playrooms look like they’ve been hit by a tornado that dragged your children’s toys down the stairs, through the hall, and into your living room. I’ve been there! Sustainable, kid-friendly organization can fix this. Here are a few tips: 

1. Toy Bins: Use labeled bins for different types of toys to make cleanup easy for kids.
2. Low Shelving: Install low shelves so kids can reach their toys without help.
3. Art Supplies Station: Create a dedicated area for art supplies with labeled containers and easy access.
4. Rotation System: Create a toy rotation system. This limits the number of accessible toys available to your children, which prevents overwhelm and clutter. After a certain amount of time, rotate them out for another group of toys. It keeps playtime fresh and prevents your playroom from being a mess. 

Get more tips and details for organizing your playroom here.

Kid’s Rooms: Cozy and Organized

Keeping your child’s room tidy is not an easy task, but it is an important one. Research shows that a neat and organized space can support your child’s well-being and promote good mental health. Here are a few easy bedroom organization wins: 

1. Under-Bed Storage: Use under-bed storage bins for out-of-season clothes and extra bedding.
2. Bookcases: Install bookcases with lower shelves for toys and upper shelves for books.
3. Daily Routine Chart: Create or purchase a daily routine chart to help kids keep their room tidy.

Home Office: Productive and Clutter-Free

A well-organized home office boosts productivity, reduces distractions, and can enhance your focus. Here’s how to achieve it:

1. Desk Organizers: Use organizers for pens, papers, and office supplies to keep the desk clear.
2. Filing System: Invest in a good filing system for important documents.
3. Cable Management: Use cable ties and clips to manage cords and keep them out of sight.
4. Shelving Units: Add shelving units for books, reference materials, and decorative items.

Filing Systems: Efficient and Accessible

Even in our digital world, we still deal with a fair amount of paperwork that should be neatly filed, accessible, and preserved. Creating an efficient filing system can get extensive and online filing is it’s own beast of a topic. But some quick and easy filing wins are: 

1. Color Coding: Use a color-coding system to categorize files by type.
2. Digital Backup: Scan important documents and keep digital backups.
3. Labeling: Clearly label all files and folders for easy identification.
4. Originals File: Create an “originals” drawer or file with important documents, such as birth certificates, social security cards, passports, important medical information, and wills. Keeping them in one place that allows you to access them easily and keep them secure. 

Your Home Organization Transformation: Less Stress, More Joy

Home organization may not involve the dust and drama of a full-scale remodel, but its impact is equally transformative. By thoughtfully organizing and decluttering each space, from your garage to your closet, you create a home that is not only visually pleasing but also mentally refreshing!

A well-organized home contributes to a sense of calm and control, fostering an environment where you can focus on what truly matters—spending quality time with family, pursuing hobbies, or unwinding after a long day. When your spaces are functional and clutter-free, you reduce the time spent searching for misplaced items or navigating through chaotic rooms. This newfound efficiency not only saves time but also alleviates stress, creating spaces where you can recharge and enjoy your family.

In spaces like the garage or kitchen, organization can dramatically improve your daily routines. While home organization may not come with the grand reveal of a remodel, its effects are just as powerful. It brings order to chaos, turns clutter into calm, and creates a living environment with more space and time for the people you love. Whether you’re tackling one room at a time or taking on your entire home, remember that every step toward a more organized space is a step towards more joy. You can experience transformation through home organization, and we can help!