An Expert Explains When You Should Consider Hiring A Professional Organizer

Organizing your own home seems like something that should be relatively easy. After all, you know what you have, the types of systems or methods you tend to prefer, and what you want your home to look and feel like when you're completely done. Perhaps you've even looked up a handful of tips and tricks to aid you in the process. The reality is, though, you somehow keep pushing the task of organizing further down your list, and it just never gets done.

Hitting that roadblock can feel baffling when you know how much you'd enjoy it if everything in your space had a place and purpose. As Verywell Mind reports, a cluttered home can increase stress, cause difficulties with focus and productivity, and lower your quality of life.

There's a good reason that so many people struggle with starting organizational projects — there can be certain barriers that are tough to overcome on your own. That's why in some situations, what you need for success is the help of a professional organizer who can view your home from a fresh perspective. Plus, their expertise means they can help you avoid the mistakes that people commonly make when tackling organizational projects.

In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Jen Weintraub, professional organizer and founder of Splendid Spaces Organizing, shared when you may want to seriously consider calling on the pros to help you achieve the organized home of your dreams.

Since organizing your home is something you know you theoretically could do by yourself, you may be very reluctant to reach out to a professional. After all, that comes with an added cost. If you're planning on investing in various containers, bins, and other storage systems to help with your organizational goals, you might already be stretching your budget a bit. However, it may be a smart investment to lean on a professional in certain situations.

As Jen Weintraub explains, "One of the most common things I hear in a client consultation is, 'I just can't seem to get to it.' Our lives are busier than ever, and with so many things demanding our time and attention, sometimes our homes are a lower priority."

Yes, hiring a professional organizer will require a bit of extra cash — but if you're never actually completing what you say you're going to, there's a cost that comes with that as well. Professionals can introduce a necessary element of accountability that will kick a long-stalled project back into gear, and thanks to their expertise, they will likely guide you through the process much more quickly than you could have done yourself.

"When you are ready to finally tackle that space in your house that's driving you crazy, choose a professional organizer who listens to you and has a non-judgmental approach," she advises.

The first step in most organizing projects is decluttering. Reducing the number of items you need to organize will make it much easier to implement systems that work for you long-term. 

For some people, the process can be incredibly satisfying. For others, it's insanely challenging. "I often work with people who have a hard time letting go of items for sentimental reasons," Jen Weintraub confesses. That's because many of the items you own will naturally have some type of memory or sense of obligation attached to them, even if you might not be immediately conscious of it. Weintraub explains, "Clients often say they 'have to keep' something a family member gave them, for example, even if it's not their taste or it's been sitting in a box for years."

A professional organizer has both expertise and an outside perspective on your items. While you still have to make the final decisions yourself, they'll be able to ask beneficial questions and offer suggestions that allow you to view your items through a new lens.

"An organizer can help people discern what is truly important to keep and what items you may be holding on to that no longer serve you or your home," she adds. "It can help to have an organizer help you prioritize what you really need and have space for. I donate items that clients can no longer use so that someone else can enjoy them."

Perhaps you've watched endless organization shows, drooling over the final product but feeling discouraged because you'll never have the massive closets and storage rooms that so many individuals featured on those programs seem to possess. If you think a ton of extra space is necessary for successfully organizing your home, you'll likely give up before you even start. A professional organizer brings a fresh perspective and will consequently see your home much differently than you do — this means they'll be able to spot storage possibilities or solutions you may have overlooked.

"For example, in apartments with small closets, there are lots of great solutions on the market to utilize vertical space and even the closet door to keep your things in order," suggests Jen Weintraub.

They'll also be able to determine where larger changes need to be made, such as adding new shelving units or even revamping an entire closet, and where you might just need some strategically selected containers to corral particular items.

"When you are a renter and don't have full control over remodeling your home, organization can be frustrating," she sympathizes. "An organization expert can make suggestions to maximize your available space in ways that won't cause you to lose your security deposit."

When it comes to viewing your own home, you essentially have blinders on. Perhaps you always drop your mail and keys in one particular spot. Maybe you store your coffee mugs in a place that doesn't really make sense in relation to the coffee machine, but you've gotten so accustomed to walking across your kitchen every morning to retrieve one that you don't think twice about it. Many of those storage practices are incredibly ingrained, and a professional organizer can sweep in with their outside perspective to evaluate things a little more critically than you'd ever be able to.

"Sometimes it's not just about the amount of space you have; a professional organizer can look at your daily routines to suggest ways to streamline things, too," states Weintraub. "This is especially helpful for large families with children."

Ultimately, your home's organization system should be tailored to your lifestyle. For example, no matter how gorgeous your rows of pristine bins and canisters are, if you find it a hassle to put things back, your organizational systems will inevitably fall apart. Whatever you choose to implement in your home has to serve your specific needs, which can be even more complicated if you have multiple children or pets to factor into the equation as well.

"Having clearly labeled places for belongings and a good routine can make crunch times, like morning and before bedtime, so much easier," adds Weintraub.