One Secret Professional Organizers Aren't Sharing (But I Am!)

Let’s play a quick game! Would you agree with the following 2 statements?

Statement 1 | With many tasks, there's often a difference between simply getting it done and getting it done well.

Statement 2 | There's also a time and place when simply getting something done is better than not getting it done at all.

Now, match each statement above with the list of tasks below you think it belongs to.

List 1	List 2
cleaning the house taking a shower doing a workout	building a home maintaining a car completing a college exam

If you matched Statement 1 with List 2 and Statement 2 with List 1, you’re correct!

Lastly, which list would large organization projects go with?

If you answered List 2 you’re correct again! Give yourself a high five!

Large organization projects need proper time and attention in order to have them done well. But more than that, if you’ve done all the things well—you’ve (1) decluttered, (2) made a solid plan, (3) found the perfect home for each item, (4) used the best organizers, and (5) labeled everything, you might think your space is set to last for years.

However, you might be disappointed when, 6-12 months down the road, you find yourself frustrated with the space and reorganizing it again. Maybe this is something you’ve already experienced once, twice, or many times.

Unless you’re a professional organizer—and you organize everyday for a living—you shouldn’t need to organize and reorganize over and over. A successfully organized space should last for years; or, until you're met with a change that drastically alters your space, lifestyle, or number of belongings (i.e. an expanding family, the passing of a family member, home renovation, moving, etc.).

There's one key secret no one's sharing that's critical to the success of an effective, functional, and long-lasting organization project. Want to know what it is?

Leaving open space!

Every bin, category, shelf, and drawer needs extra room. Many people organize for what they currently have and don’t allow room for future items. There should be enough open space so the addition of a few things doesn’t immediately cause crowding and overflow.

I share this secret with every client I work with so they can rest assured the time and effort put into their space will be well worth every penny—and that it’ll last for years!

How much open space do you need? I recommend 30%. This allows a space to be filled and utilized well from the start, while allowing breathing room as life changes a bit over time.

Let’s use the kitchen pantry as a quick example. Organizing with 30% extra space allows you to come home from the store with non-routine items without worry over storage or interruption of your existing organization. Examples of occasions where this can be really helpful are family get-togethers, your child’s birthday party, or hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

Living with extra room to spare throughout your home is a game-changer. Things are easier to find and put away, you’ll feel lighter and less stressed, and the extra breathing room becomes a joyous part of your daily life. Once you become accustomed, you’ll start to feel tension when the space gets too crowded and full. This usually happens when the space reaches 90% capacity (right before it overflows). This will be your cue to declutter. The good news is you only have to declutter that one bin, shelf, or drawer until 30% is free again, and you’re back to breathing easy! There’s no longer the need for large, repetitive decluttering and organizing sessions.

I would love to hear how this tip has helped you. Drop me a comment below or connect with me on facebook!