Phew, where do I start? I had the pleasure of hiring my own company to help me with my kitchen this past month. I had an unexpected twist—my kitchen flooded. For the first time, I truly felt like one of my own clients. I had to call in my own team to pack, unpack, reset, and organize my kitchen. It was humbling, eye-opening, and a good reminder that sometimes we all need help.
I am so thankful for my team coming to help me. So, this month I wanted to talk about how to purge like a professional!
Here are my top tips for purging like a professional organizer:
- Take Everything Out
Don’t just shift things around – empty the space completely. Whether it’s a cabinet, drawer, or pantry shelf, a clean slate helps you see what you really have.
- Group by Category
Put like-items together: baking supplies, canned goods, serving pieces, mugs, etc. Seeing the “volume” of each category is powerful – it helps you spot duplicates and excess quickly. I had a lot of items for my son, Lucas, that I was able to let go of. Well, at least some…I am super sentimental and had to put those “baby” spoons into my keepsake bin!
- Ask the Hard Questions
I wasn’t good at this at first, but then I got the hang of it. I actually got rid of more than I thought I was going to!
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- Do I use this?
- Do I love this?
- Do I have multiples of the same thing?
- Would I buy this again today?
If the answer is “no” to most of these, it’s time to let it go. Yes, I know it’s hard!
- Set Boundaries with Space
Your shelves and drawers are natural limiters. If your mugs don’t fit in the mug cabinet, it’s time to pare down instead of expanding storage.
- Create a Donation Zone
Keep a designated box or bin for items you’re ready to pass on. Knowing things are leaving your home for a good cause makes letting go easier.
- Reset with Intention
When you put things back, think about function and flow. Place items where you use them most, and store extras elsewhere so your everyday kitchen feels spacious. I was also able to have Sorted Out® line my cabinets with custom liners, and it was a perfect time to refresh those spaces.
💡 Tonia’s Pro Tip: Even professional organizers sometimes need fresh eyes. Don’t be afraid to call in support when you’re overwhelmed – organization is about progress, not perfection.
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There are so many ways that organization can help take back a space that is overwhelming and bring it to functional!
We are excited to help start your journey to an organized and productive space.
