Fayetteville, GA Professional Organizer : Living Room & Playroom Before/After Reveal!

by Heidi | Feb 25, 2015 | reviews

Occasionally, my fantastic clients graciously volunteer to share the amazing transformation of their spaces.

I was contacted to help bring order to a basement apartment for a mother and her small son.   The space was partially furnished prior to their move-in, and some of their personal belongings were still in boxes due to lack of space or storage systems.  She needed help generally de-cluttering the entire apartment, setting up storage systems as well as planning out how best to use the limited and unique space available.

Here is a glimpse of what the living room looked like before calling Operation Organization by Heidi for aid:

We worked together identifying which items were no longer wanted / needed in the space and I suggested a new furniture layout that would help the space feel more like a cozy living area and less like a storage space for all her furniture and belongings.  We created specific places for all her belongings to be stowed when not it use, and now she knows exactly where to find/put everything with ease and she can truly relax and even entertain in her new space:

Here’s a side by side:

We then turned our attention to the playroom which opened up from the living room…

We sorted through all the toys – many were donated, some were tossed due to broken or missing pieces.  A shelf and bins were purchased from IKEA to divide and store smaller toys by type.

From other side of living area looking into play area:

We also spent time clearing out a small kitchenette, and re-arranging the bedroom.
The client was so happy with the results, she requested to share her impression:

Boys Bedroom Before & After

by Heidi | May 29, 2012 | reviews

Here’s a peek at a boys bedroom that got some organizational TLC.

Before, Lego creations were ‘displayed’ all over the house from the dining room table to the ironing board.  Mini collections/creations of various sorts were scattered throughout the bedroom.

Now, additional shelving {IKEA Expedit} plus a new furniture layout provides strategic zones of activity.  There is a designated {and limited} space for collections within storage boxes, as well as additional shelf space for display.  A floating shelf will also soon be installed to showcase new Lego creations as well.

Do you need some help bringing strategic order and storage serenity to a children’s bedroom or playroom in your home?

Organizing Client Show & Tell : Small Space Solutions + Personalized Systems

by Heidi | Apr 2, 2012 | reviews

 Here’s what Anna, {young professional living in a small space} had to say:

 

“I live in a 375 foot studio condo where space is precious. It is very important to minimize stress in my life to help manage my autoimmune disease.

Heidi spent two hours assessing various spaces with me.  By going through it together, I realized there were a lot of things I could donate to charity or recycle.  Things I wanted to keep were then sorted into strategic zones/centers.  

 We created a center {using vertical space on a closet door} that I call “home base” because it’s where I put things that I need as I am coming and going from my house as well as things I need to keep my house running, such as my important financial documents, bills to pay.

It’s like the “home office” in a small space.  I only have one clothing closet plus this small linen closet so this was a very creative way to use the space that I would not have thought of on my own:

• An adhesive cork board was applied on top to hang up important notices, cards etc.

• Below that is a white board/note pads for lists/reminders.

•  The white hanging bag on the door is to keep things that I need as I go out the door – like lint brush, hat, mittens, pager…

•   I decided I would do best with a calender and planner I can take on-the-go, so that’s in the lower section of the of the 3 hanging file system on the door.  The green zipper pouch contains checkbook and stamps in the “action” tray since that’s usually what needs “action”

Next, we decided to dedicate a cabinet I already had to create my “health center.”  Originally this cabinet was space being very under utilized, it generally was just a spot to ‘stash’ random things.

I hardly knew what was in here before and now it’s one of my favorite and best used spaces.  The cabinet is from Ikea. The basket on top is what I used to just pile all my meds in  {before, it was on a shelf in the kitchen}; it was a huge mess with no system. 

• The top bin inside the cabinet is where I put medical bills or reports that I need to file.  In the bottom drawer I keep all of my medical records in binders organized by system and/or doctor.  I also have a binder from records from my childhood.

• There are two large bins in the cabinet.  One is for all my physical therapy tools, like balls, bands and braces.  The other big bin is for “pain management.” I keep things like my heating pad, first aid kit, and all medications related to pain in here. There are smaller containers within for prescription pain meds and for over-the-counter pain meds so I can quickly locate them. 

The two smaller bins are used for managing my daily meds and also a few I take as needed.   There is a bill for medications that I absolutely cannot let lapse and then other ones that are less critical. I am also on a lot of GI meds so there is a bin just for those.  This system makes my medication maintenance & refills much more simple.

This is the cabinet I used to have a lot of health stuff piled in and it was just too hard to access.  This has now become a great place for my electronic things that I don’t access as often. 

Finally, we spent time sorting through my bathroom cabinet.  I didn’t spend any money on it – just used what I had.  Designating specific spaces to store like things with like things has helped me to stop buying duplicates and find things easier!  

I have a hard time being organized, but so far I have made some great progress with her help!  I am looking forward to having Heidi over again to help me build on what we’ve already accomplished.”

Cork Board Jewelry Organizer!

by Heidi | Mar 19, 2012 | reviews

I just love it when clients are able to use something they already have when solving an organizational dilemma!  

While working with a delightful young gal in her bedroom we were able to do just that!  During the sorting process, I observed that she had jewelry stored in many different ways, in many different areas of her room. 

I explained a few benefits of storing like items with like items (always being able to find things when you want/need them, and simplifying decisions on where to put it when you’re finished, having a good visual of the volume of what you have of a particular item, etc.).  Then, I suggested a few options of how her current necklaces could be corralled.

Her face lit up SO bright when I mentioned a cork board, because she had recently found a 2nd hand cork board for only 2 dollars!  Not only that, she had prettied it up by gluing on fabric that matched the curtains in her room!   She pulled it out from behind her desk and promptly pinned them all up!

Here’s a peek at the finished product all ready to be hung on the wall!

Kids are SO much more likely to stay organized if they’ve had even a little hand in the process of setting up their space.

 I just know that she’s going to have such pride in keeping her necklaces together!! We proceeded to contain the rest of her smaller jewelery like rings and bracelets in size appropriate containers (that she selected) and she had a hand in attaching the labels that I printed out for her as well. These smaller containers will be stored on a shelf that will be nearby the cork board.

Perhaps you’re currently feeling completely overwhelmed by clutter & mounting personal organizing goals??  Or, maybe there is a space or two in your home that simply needs a fresh set of objective eyes to bring it to it’s fullest organized potential?

Maybe having an organizing buddy, cheerleader and coach that could encourage you with one-on-one hands on support would help to achieve the success you need and deserve – to allow you to live a more peaceful life you LOVE with more time and energy to fully and freely participate in activities and interests you enjoy! 

Contact me to learn more about how to get organized with my Professional Organizing and Family Management Coaching services. Operation Organization by Heidi provides customized organizing solutions to ‘cure’ your unique clutter challenge / condition.  Based near Atlanta, Georgia, this Professional Organizer serves clients one-on-one in the surrounding area of Fayette, Coweta, and Cobb Counties :(Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan, Brooks, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth and expanding!)

Petite Pantry Solutions

by Heidi | Mar 12, 2012 | reviews

I recently had the pleasure of working with a lovely expectant mama.  With her nesting instincts in full force, we worked together to make the most of the limited space that her petite little pantry provided.

I always get so excited to tackle a new project that I often forget to take ‘before’ photos (I think a ‘consultation check list’ may be in order – heh, heh) but she was so pleased with the results, so we’ll focus on that! 🙂

Rachel sincerely enjoys cooking and baking, but her small {yet extremely tidy} kitchen provides some challenges to stow everything she uses on a regular basis to the maximum of efficiency without feeling over-crowded.
 There is only one short wall with cabinets on either side of the sink on one wall and a narrow cupboard used for pantry goods next to the stove on the opposite wall available for storage.

Here’s an ‘after’ photo of the pantry:

Before, each pantry shelf was quite full with only a few distinctions of where items ‘belonged’.  It was proving difficult to access individual items without having to move a bunch of others around in the process.

 Her biggest concern in here was finding a solution for her spices.  Some lived in the pantry and a few others in another cabinet on the opposite wall in varying shapes/sizes of containers.  I suggested utilizing shallow trays to hold the spices {as well as any other *small* container like specialty baking sprinkles, etc}. So, rather than having to always move them around inside the cabinet to find what she needed, she could simplify the process and save time finding what she needed by only needing to remove the tray/s – sort of like a mobile drawer.

We filtered through her existing spices to determine what spices she actually used as well as dispose of any that were clearly expired. (most spices are only good for 2-3 years, if that).
After disposing of many spices, we found that she could re-purpose many of the containers to make a new uniform set!  She cleaned them out and removed the existing labels and I suggested using chalk board paint to label the tops.  That way, she can continue to re-use these containers and change out the contents as needed.  Rachel used a gift certificate she’d been saving to purchase a few more similar sized containers to complete her set.

Chubby Nugget: Nesting Part II-Kitchen

Perhaps you’re currently feeling completely overwhelmed by your clutter & mounting personal organizing goals??  Or, maybe there is a space or two in your home that simply needs a fresh set of objective eyes to to bring to its fullest organized potential?

Maybe having an organizing buddy, cheerleader and coach that could encourage you one-on-one would be just the solution you need to achieve the success you need and deserve –  to allow you to live a more peaceful life you LOVE with more time and energy to fully and freely participate in activities and hobbies you enjoy! 

Would you like to work with a Professional home organizer based near Atlanta, Georgia? 

We currently serve clients in the surrounding metro area as well as Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan and expanding! 

Contact Heidi to learn more about how to get organized with our professional organizer services. Operation Organization by Heidi provides customized organizing solutions to ‘cure’ your unique clutter challenge / condition.  

 Call: 770-847-0329 or Email: OperationOrganizationByHeidi@gmail.com to learn more.

Client Show & Tell :: A Mom of Two Needed Solutions to a Few Pesky Problems…

by Heidi | Nov 11, 2011 | reviews

 Here’s what Catherine, {mom of two and part time elementary art teacher} had to say:

We have two small children and regularly host friends 3-4 times a week which creates a constant flow of stuff. I really want a clutter-free & tidy home, but have found trouble keeping up with it all.

Heidi helped me figure out a practical way of keeping my kitchen counters uncluttered.

(With no pantry, Catherine needed a solution for the bread products that once took up counter space to the left of the sink)

(We took a tour through her cabinets & eliminated what did not need to stay, creating space for a ‘bread basket’ within!)

We talked about multiple options for managing the kids’ art supplies and workbooks and  came up with a system that the kids have now been using independently for months.

(BEFORE, children’s workbooks and supplies were stacked at random on this buffet shelf)

(NOW, each child has their own labeled box for individual workbooks/projects. Shared supplies are stored together in a 3rd box.)

Heidi also helped me create a “lost-and-found” that is hidden, but usable.

(BEFORE, items visitors would accidentally leave behind would pile up on this table by the front door)

(NOW, items that are left behind are still collected, but concealed & contained in a basket on a nearby bookshelf.)

In addition, she suggested a number of systems for managing the little piles of stuff that collect & need to go upstairs, but don’t warrant a trip up on their own. The suggestion we landed on and has been working for a few months now was a covered basket attached to the railing at the base of my stairs.

It has been great to drop a barrette or pair of socks in the basket, as opposed to the top of my piano where everyone sees it, until my next trip upstairs.

I’ve been so happy with the practical, working solutions that Heidi was able to come up with in only one hour!