When you invite a professional organizer into your home, you're likely hoping for a fresh start—a chance to transform your cluttered space into an organized oasis. However, before the transformation begins, these experts can quickly pinpoint the trouble areas that contribute to the mess. Understanding what professional organizers notice right away can help you address these issues on your own and maintain a cleaner, more organized home.
1. Excess of a Single Category
One of the first things a professional organizer will notice is an excess of items in a particular category. Whether it's books, shoes, or kitchen gadgets, having too much of one thing can lead to chaos. Marissa Hagmeyer, co-founder of NEAT Method, points out that when items in a specific category overflow, it’s a clear sign that clutter is out of control.
Example: Imagine a bookshelf with books crammed in every direction, toys scattered across the living room floor, or a mountain of shoes piled near the front door. This kind of clutter can make even a well-maintained home feel messy.
Solution: Start by decluttering these areas. Assess each item and decide if it’s still useful, in good condition, and if it genuinely adds value to your life. Items that are broken, worn out, or no longer needed should be donated, recycled, or thrown away. By setting limits on how many items of a certain type you keep, you can prevent clutter from accumulating in the future.
2. A Stale Scent
The second thing that professional organizers often notice is the smell of a home. A stale or unpleasant odor can be a telltale sign of hidden messes. Sara Losonci, founder of New York City-based organizing service Shelfie, notes that smells from pets, mold, dirty laundry, or dust can indicate underlying issues that need to be addressed.
Example: A musty odor might signal a buildup of mold or mildew, while a strong pet smell could mean that the home isn’t being cleaned thoroughly enough. Even dust can contribute to an unpleasant scent if it’s allowed to accumulate.
Solution: Combat these odors by regularly airing out your home and doing a deep clean. Focus on areas where odors are likely to linger, such as pet bedding, laundry hampers, and places where dust can gather, like under furniture or on shelves. Investing in an air purifier can also help maintain fresh, clean air in your home.
3. "I'll Deal With This Later" Piles
Even the most organized people can fall victim to procrastination piles—those stacks of papers, clothes, or unfinished projects that you plan to "deal with later." According to Joanna Teplin, co-founder of The Home Edit, clutter tends to breed more clutter, so these piles only grow over time, making it harder to keep your home tidy.
Example: A basket of unread mail, a corner filled with clothes that need mending, or a table covered with half-finished crafts can quickly turn into a cluttered mess.
Solution: Prevent these piles from taking over by putting systems in place. If you frequently drop mail on the kitchen counter, set up a designated spot with stackable paper trays to keep it organized. For unfinished projects, set a specific deadline to complete them. By holding yourself accountable, you can prevent clutter from accumulating.
4. Lack of Storage
A common issue in many messy homes is the lack of adequate storage. Ashley Murphy, co-founder of NEAT Method, points out that when belongings are left out in the open, it’s often because there isn’t enough storage space to house them properly. This can lead to a cluttered appearance and make it difficult to maintain order.
Example: Overflowing closets, countertops covered in kitchen gadgets, or living room floors scattered with toys all point to a lack of storage solutions.
Solution: Take inventory of your storage spaces and consider investing in additional storage furniture, such as sideboards, storage benches, or shelving units. If certain pieces of furniture lack storage (like a coffee table without drawers), it may be time to replace them with more functional alternatives. Proper storage is key to keeping your home organized and clutter-free.
5. A Cluttered Floor
The condition of the floor is another area where professional organizers can quickly assess the level of organization in a home. Items that are constantly on the floor—whether it’s shoes, bags, or toys—indicate that these items either don’t have a designated home or that the storage areas meant to house them are overflowing.
Example: If you’re always tripping over backpacks, boots, or umbrellas, it’s likely a sign that these items need better organization.
Solution: Start by creating a system that categorizes and assigns a home to each item. For example, jackets should hang in the coat closet, shoes should go on a rack by the door, and bags should have a designated spot in the entryway. Adding labels to containers or baskets can make it easier for everyone in the household to follow the system and keep things off the floor.
6. Crowded Drawers and Cabinets
Another red flag for professional organizers is when drawers and cabinets are crammed so full that they’re difficult to close. Clea Shearer, co-founder of The Home Edit, notes that a drawer that can’t shut properly is a sign that it’s filled with too much stuff—often items that are no longer needed or used.
Example: Think of kitchen drawers overflowing with utensils, junk drawers packed with miscellaneous items, or bathroom cabinets stuffed with expired products.
Solution: The key to tackling overcrowded drawers and cabinets is to purge regularly. Get rid of anything that’s expired, broken, or no longer useful. Once you’ve decluttered, organize the remaining items in a way that makes them easy to access. Consider using dividers, bins, or trays to keep everything neatly in place.
7. Dust, Dirt, and Crumbs
Finally, professional organizers often notice the cleanliness of a home—or the lack thereof. Messy homes are more challenging to clean because clutter makes it difficult to reach all areas with a vacuum or duster. Emily Ranager, director of operations at Shelfie NYC, points out that living in an untidy environment can also decrease your motivation to keep up with basic cleaning tasks.
Example: You might find crumbs in kitchen drawers, dust bunnies in the corners of rooms, or ceiling fans coated in thick layers of dust.
Solution: To combat dirt and grime, start by clearing surfaces so you can clean them thoroughly. Pick up everything off the floor before vacuuming, and make sure to dust shelves, baseboards, and ceiling fans regularly. The cleaner your home is, the easier it will be to maintain.
Conclusion
Professional organizers can quickly identify the trouble spots in a messy home, from excess belongings and stale odors to crowded drawers and cluttered floors. By addressing these areas and implementing simple organizational strategies, you can create a more organized and inviting space.
Whether it’s investing in more storage, setting up systems to prevent clutter, or committing to regular cleaning, these small changes can have a big impact on the overall feel and functionality of your home. With a little effort and consistency, you can maintain a tidy, organized space that brings peace and order to your daily life.
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