It can be hard maintaining your organized space after the professional leaves. We understand this dilemma firsthand. You hire an organizer to come in and spruce up your home. They leave. Now you are responsible for keeping it that way because they are not going to pop in every now and then and check in on you.
That is why we here at Imagine It Done value education as well as organization. Our goal is to teach you methods and systems that are easy to continue doing long after we have left your home.
And so today we are going to cover a few tips you can use that will help you maintain your freshly organized space.
Here are 6 ways you can maintain your professionally organized home:
Refer to notes and lessons
A good professional organizer will get your home in order. A great professional organizer will walk you through the exact steps they took so you can apply them over and over again. That is what we do and it has helped our clients maintain their homes in a way that brings them continuous peace.
Our best advice when it comes to keeping your space organized is to refer to any notes you took when the professional organizer was present. Did they teach you any lessons while getting things organized? What methods did they show you?
Fall back on these lessons if you notice your space is starting to revert back to the chaotic mess it was before. But you can also use this opportunity to try something different. Perhaps the method the organizer taught you is not suited to your lifestyle. That’s fine! Still use what you were taught and come up with a new one. Tweak it to fit your needs.
Organizing is a skill that we are constantly improving and evolving. What works for you now may not work for you three months from now. So whenever you see an area getting a touch out of order, refer to your notes and either fix it or come up with a new system.
Follow the organizer on social media
Many professional organizers will have some kind of online presence. In this digital age, it is customary to have something potential clients can look at. The most popular platforms are the company’s website and Instagram or Facebook page.
They showcase their services, share client testimonials, and give quick tips. Another common post that is often seen on these kinds of platforms is before and after pictures.
If you hired a professional organizer and are not currently following their social media, do so. You may not be able to bring them back if your home falls into disarray again. But you can look at their social media for inspiration.
For example, we post video tutorials about cleaning and organizing. We've done how to fold a fitted sheet, how to keep your coffee pot clean, and more. When in doubt, look at the organizer’s social media or website. Chances are you will find a lot of ideas to help you maintain your organized space.
Practice daily organizing
Another routine you should start implementing if you haven’t already is daily organizing. We do not mean giving your home a full sweep. We simply mean spending 5-10 minutes a day on a corner of a room or a section of it.
Your junk drawer is a great example. Junk drawers tend to get messy very quickly. Checking it every day to ensure the items are in order is a practice that will help you maintain an organized space. But you can apply this method to anything.
Pick a time each day when you want to practice daily organizing. Then set a timer, pick an area, and get to work. You could spend the time touching up your jewelry box, sorting books, or your daily mail. You can also spend it going through your pantry and removing any expired items.
Daily organizing is a simple practice you can begin anytime. It will help you stay on top of clutter as well as keep your space organized.
Reach out to the organizer
We mentioned before that it is a good idea to follow the organizer who came to your home on social media. This is a great way to stay in touch with them and support their business. You can share their blog posts with friends and comment on other projects.
But the great thing about following them on social media is having a way to contact them if you are ever in need. While organizers will be dealing with several messages from potential clients, they are always happy to hear from previous ones. And so do not hesitate to send a message to them if you need a boost of inspiration.
Please do not think that you are bothering them. Professional organizers got into this business to help people find peace in their homes. So if you have tried everything possible to maintain an organized space, but cannot seem to figure it out, send them a message.
Chances are they will be happy to give you some tips. How can you repay them? Refer their services to a friend, share a blog post on your social media page, or give a testimonial.
Re-evaluate your space regularly
Something we teach our clients before leaving is that in order to maintain an organized space you need to re-evaluate it constantly. Clutter does not happen overnight. It builds over time. That is why you should begin scheduling time to do a general walk-through of your home and note any area that is getting out of control.
You do not necessarily need to do another big organizing project. But you should declutter items that no longer serve you or your lifestyle. These items can be big or small, from clothes to kitchen appliances.
Our best advice is to do this quarterly. At the start of each new quarter, walk around your home and see what you can eliminate. Not only will this help you maintain an organized space, but you will also keep clutter from re-entering your life.
Respect your space
Finally, if you want to maintain an organized home, you must respect your space. It is as simple as that. Your home should be a place you can feel at ease in. Yes, it will sometimes get out of control, but it does not have to stay that way.
When you respect your space, you are going to be more attentive to what comes into it. Clutter has no place in a tranquil home. And it is your job to ensure you keep it that way.
As professionals, our job is to provide you with the tools and methods to improve your home. We cannot hold your hand forever. You must be willing to implement new routines into your life if you want to maintain an organized space.
That means respecting your home. Keep it clean and organized, and see how your stress and anxiety fade. The organizer gives you the tools. It is up to you to use them.
The most important thing you can do when a professional organizer comes to your house is to watch and learn. Even if they prefer getting things done without you, they still find a way to take something of value away. It is the best way you are going to maintain your organized space long after they leave.
If you implement the above tips you are going to find it easy to keep things in order. But if you are ever in need of some help, do not hesitate to reach out to the professional you hired. And, of course, you can always check out our blog for all your home organizing tips.
Have you ever hired a professional organizer? If so, were you able to keep things organized after they left? What is your biggest struggle right now when it comes to organization? Comment below.
Comments